Our recommended Ohio summer races to keep you on top of your training

Sometimes long runs can be a drag (never!) and it’s nice to get some race day experience in the mix. Following are some runs throughout Ohio we recommend for your summer training regimen. Make sure to give your feedback in the comments below if there are any runs that you’d recommend we add to this list (note: we only list races that feature distances longer than a 5K)!

06/04/17- Columbus 10K Columbus – 10K

06/23/17- MatchStick Race Wadsworth – 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K

07/02/17- Downtown Cleveland YMCA Firecracker 10K Cleveland  – 10K

07/04/17- Rocket Man Loveland – 15K, 10K, 5K.

07/04/17- Twin Sizzler Medina – 10K, 5K.

07/15/17- WingMan 10K Beavercreek – 10K.

07/18/17- The Gary Wellington Cheese Festival 5K/10K Wellington – 10K, 5K

07/22/17- ½ Way to Christmas Miamisburg – 10K, 5K

08/05/17- Run to The Wall Clinton – 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K

08/06/17- Hofbrauhaus 5K/10K Cleveland –10K, 5K

08/12/17- Mount Carmel Columbus Half Marathon – Delaware – 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K

08/12/17- Goodyear Half Marathon & 10K Akron – 13.1 miles, 10K

08/12/17- GermanFest Picnic 5K & 10K Dayton – 10K, 5K

08/13/17- Little Miami Half Marathon & 10K Morrow – 13.1 miles, 10K

08/19/17- Bull Run Columbus – 10K, 5K, Kids’ Run

08/20/17- Rock Hall Half Marathon Cleveland – 13.1 miles, 5K,

08/20/17- The Heart Of Ohio Half (Hoot) Columbus -13.1 miles (trail), 10K(trail)

08/27/17 –Emerald City Half & Quarter Marathon Dublin – 13.1 miles, 6.55 miles

09/02/17- Boy Scout Half Marathon & 5K Bowling Green – 13.1 miles, 5K

09/02/17- Leave No Trace Marathon & Half Marathon Peninsula – 26.2 miles (trail), and 13.1 miles (trail)

09/03/17- YOLO Festival of Races Greenville – 13.1 miles, 15K, 5K

09/09/17- The Spherion Mid Ohio 13ER Mansfield – 13.1 miles – Discount code: 13erCbus

09/10/17- Winans to Winans Half Marathon Troy – 13.1 miles

09/10/17- River Run Half Marathon Rocky River – 13.1 miles

09/16/17- Air Force Marathon Dayton – 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 10K

09/16/17- Hocking Hills Indian Run Logan – 60K, 40K, 20K, 10K.

09/17/17- New Albany Walking Classic New Albany – 10K

09/23/17- Grand Lake Marathon Celina,- 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K

09/23/17- Akron Marathon presented by FirstEnergy Akron – 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles (relay)

09/23/17- Scioto River Run Powell – 13.1 miles, 10K.

9/24/17 – Big Bad Wolfe Run, Columbus – 20 miles, 10 miles, 5K

09/30/17- Run Like a Girl Half Marathon Columbus – 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K

09/30/17- Adams County Marathon Half Marathon & 5K Race. West Union – 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 5K.

10/01/17- Komen Southwest Ohio Race for the Cure Cincinnati – 10K, 5K

10/01/17- Broke Man’s Half Marathon Columbus – 13.1 miles

10/01/17- Northern Ohio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Mentor – 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, relay

10/07/17- Buckeye Trail Run Shawnee – 26.2 miles, 13.1 miles, 10K, 5K.

 

 

 

Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Race Director Darris Blackford sporting the “retro cool” 1992 U.S. Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials jacket.

April 11 marks the 25^th anniversary of the 1992 Men’s Olympic Trials in Columbus, and we are marking the occasion in a fun way!

Tomorrow, April 11, at 6 p.m., meet our Race Director Darris Blackford at the spot where the Trials’ Finish Line was located (yes, that’s right – the 1992 Trials’ Finish Line … where was it? We aren’t telling!)

The first five people to meet Darris at the EXACT SPOT where the 1992 Trials’ Finish Line was located will get one of the Tyvek jackets presented to the Trials’ runners that day. Retro cool!

Wear your workout clothes and afterward you can enjoy a nice run or walk on the beautiful Downtown riverfront – oops, that sounds like a hint! (here are a few more rolled into one … the spot is supremely patriotic and civic, although now a little fishy).

Can’t make it? Everyone who sends an e-mail to info@columbusmarathon.com with the subject line “TRIALS” by Midnight, April 11, will be entered into a drawing to win two VIP passes for this year’s race!

Want to learn more about the Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials and Columbus’ place in the history of this event?  Check out this link.

26 Tips in 26 Days. Tip #26: Final reminders!

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day.  Click here to read them all , or follow along on  Facebook,  Twitter,  Pinterest  and  Instagram.

Are you ready?

Race Day is just hours away. On behalf of our entire team, we want to thank you for taking part in the 2016 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon. This race is a celebration of spirit and an opportunity to support the life-changing work taking place at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Our 11 board members have completed more than 300 marathons between them. If this is your first race or you are a seasoned pro, here are some last minute ideas to make the most of Race Day – straight from our Board.

What You Should Do Saturday Night:

• Lay it all out – Avoid race day anxiety and rushing around by laying out everything you will need the night before.
• Have a parking plan – Know where you’re going and where you’re parking. Plan for it to take you at least double the time it usually would to get there. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about parking and road closures throughout the course.
• Visualize – Visualize the start with a smile while everyone cheers you on, a smooth run with a calm breath and a steady pace, each neighborhood with huge crowds and funny signs, running through the pain as your training kicks in, the finish line with elation and what an awesome accomplishment it will be! Through visualization our dreams come true. If you need help, here’s a video recap of the 2015 race.

Race Morning:

• Get there early! – Avoid any unneeded race day anxiety by getting to the start line early. The Corrals open at 6 a.m. This will allow you some extra time should something unexpected arise (i.e. – traffic delays, long restroom lines, etc).
• No Firsts – You shouldn’t do anything for the first time – from the food you eat to what’s on your feet: breakfast, clothes, shoes, Gatorade and Clif Shot should already be tested.
• Protein – A little bit of protein is always a good thing the morning of the race, but again, practice this first before that day!
• Stay Warm – Even with outdoor heaters in the corrals, you can still get cold. Use an oversized trash bag to stay warm. Take a bag and cut a hole for your head at the bottom of the bag. Once the race begins, all you have to do is throw it away! NOTE: You can also purchase a throw-away sweatshirt from the Goodwill Store at the Health & Fitness Expo for the same effect!

During The Race:

• Pace – Relax and don’t get too excited before and during the first few miles. Trust your training and stay true to your pace. Check out the Clif Bar Pace Team and sign up for free at the Health & Fitness Expo to have expert pacers guide you through the race at your pace.
• Take it all in – Once you arrive, take it all in, the sights, the sounds and the smells. This experience will never happen exactly this way ever again, so soak in every step. Entertainment and Patient Champions will be at every mile to keep you going. Remember, you’ve worked hard for this – enjoy it!

Post Race:

• Celebrate – Congratulations! You have crossed the finish line and completed an amazing feat. Regardless of distance, pace and records, it is time to reward yourself and Celebration Village is the perfect place to do so. Reunite with friends and family, shake out our legs, visit the vendors, feast on food from local food trucks, enjoy live entertainment and remember to hit that PR Gong!
• Recover – Our Medical Director, Dr. Darrin Bright, has a list of tips on how to recover immediately after the race and later in the day (See Tip #14 here).

Tomorrow culminates months of hard work. You are ready. We can wait to see you tomorrow morning.

If you have any last minute questions, please leave a comment below or reach out to the marathon team on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest or Instagram.

 

 

26 Tips in 26 Days. Tip #25: Celebrate after finishing!

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Many athletes and their families spend months preparing for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon.

Once you cross the finish line, it’s time for everyone to celebrate. The celebration begins right after crossing the finish line. That’s where athletes will get blankets, a quick bite to eat and their medals. Gear check will be nearby; so, picking up items should be short and simple.

Athletes will be able to meet their families at the Family Reunion area just a few hundred feet from the Finish Line on Spring St. east of Neil; wind feathers with last name letters will help families find each other.

After the hugs and hi-fives, live music, food and vendors will be available. While kids play in bounce houses, athletes can get medals engraved, ring one of TWO PR gongs for a best time and pick up their “I Qualified for Boston pins” and age group awards (if both are earned!) at the Info Tent next to the Gear Check tent at the corner of West Street and Spring Street.

Most importantly, there will be ample space to stand, sit and reflect on the achievement of running a full or 1/2 marathon. You’ve worked hard and sacrificed countless hours to make Sunday happen. Take time to celebrate with friends, family and the Columbus running community at Celebration Village.

Current registrants can click here to double-check your registration.  Please ask any questions in the comment section below. You’re also welcome to connect with the marathon team on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

 

 

 

26 Tips in 26 Days! Tip #24: Proper packet pickup at the Expo.

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

To ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable race experience, the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon created specific rules for packet pickup.

Pickup Overview:

There will be NO Race Day packet pickup; all race packets must be picked up during Expo hours. If you cannot pick up your race packet, you can have someone pick it up for you — but that person must have a copy of your ID, as well as their own picture ID.

Pick up your 2016 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon participant bib, T-shirt, bib tag timing device, runner “goodie” bag and clear, gear check bag at the Health & Fitness Expo in Hall E at the north end of the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

Expo hours are Friday, Oct. 14, from noon to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Make sure you have your photo ID.  NO ID, NO NUMBER.  NO EXCEPTIONS.

(Note: Athletes will receive the race t-shirt corresponding to the event in which they are entered, i.e., someone registered for the full marathon will receive a full marathon t-shirt, even if they signed up for the full marathon but only intend to complete the ½ Marathon. Again, there are no exceptions.)

What If Friends or Family Want To Pick Up Your Number For You?

As noted above, make sure they have a copy of your photo ID, as well as their own picture ID. They should first check in at the booth located just outside of the expo hall, “Picking Up For Others? Start Here,” for an approval stamp.

While friends or family members are permitted to pick up race numbers for registered participants, they are NOT permitted to run or walk the race using another person’s number.

To help them get through the “Picking Up For Others? Start Here” line faster, click here, print this form, fill it out ahead of time and give to the person picking up your number. They must still visit the “Picking Up For Others? Start Here” table, but only for the ID check and an approval stamp!

Is there Race Day Packet Pickup?

No.

Can Registration Packets Be Mailed In Advance?

No

How Do I Get To The Expo?

From I-70 from the East (Wheeling)

•     Take I-70 West to the Mound Street Exit, turn right onto Fourth Street.
•     Travel North on Fourth Street to Goodale Blvd.
•     Turn Left onto Goodale Boulevard and Right into the Goodale Parking Garage

From I-71 from the North (Cleveland)

•     Take I-71 South
•     Travel West on I-670 “109-A”
•     Take Exit “4-B” to the Greater Columbus Convention Center

Or

•     Take I-71 South to the Spring Street Exit
•     Travel West on Spring Street to Fourth Street
•     Head North on Fourth Street to Goodale Boulevard
•     Turn Left onto Goodale Boulevard and Right into the Goodale Parking Garage

From I-71 from the South (Cincinnati)

•     Take I-71 North to I-70 East
•     Travel on I-70 East to the Fourth Street Exit
•     Head North on Fourth Street to Goodale Boulevard
•     Turn Left onto Goodale Boulevard and Right into the Goodale Parking Garage

From I-70 from the West (Indianapolis)

•     Take I-70 East to the Fourth Street Exit
•     Head North on Fourth Street to Goodale Boulevard
•     Turn Left onto Goodale Boulevard and Right into the Goodale Parking Garage

Expo parking will be available for a for FREE in the Goodale Parking Garage (on Goodale Blvd between High and Third Streets) OR for a $5 flat fee in the following garages (see link below for a map):

• East Surface Lot (#1) – located west of 4th St. on Nationwide Blvd.
• South Garage (#2) – located on Nationwide Blvd. east of the Hyatt Regency
• Vine Street Garage (#3) – located at the corner of Front St. and Vine St.

gccc-directions_parking

Current registrants can click here to double-check your registration.  Please ask any questions in the comment section below. You’re also welcome to connect with the marathon team on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

 

 

 

 

26 Tips in 26 Days! Tip #23: Road closure information

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Getting around the 2016 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon Course should be the most important thing on an athlete’s mind right now. With the race just a few days away, here are some reminders to help you, your friends and your family get around Columbus on Race Day.

Here are street closures at the combined Start/Finish line:

• Long St. between High St. to the East and Hocking St. to the West will close at 9:30 a.m. On Friday, Oct. 14

• Spring St. will be closed from West St. to the East, and Hocking St. to the West at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14

• Neil Ave south of Nationwide Blvd. will be closed (NOTE: Nationwide will still be open to get to various parking garages).

On Race Day, 26.2 miles of the marathon course will be subject to rolling street closures, based upon the expected time the first and last athlete passes each mile of the course.  Spring Street, Long Street and Neil Ave. will open back up to traffic at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.

Click here to view course maps.

Click here to view pace chart.

If you have any questions, please let us know in the comments, or ask us on Facebook and Twitter!

 

26 Tips in 26 Days! Tip #22: Know the inclement weather policy (we hope to never use).

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips for 26.2 Miles” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

It’s not going to rain.

It’s not going to rain.

It’s not going to rain.

And don’t even think about snow.  

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon has had only a trace of rain over the last 13 years. We would be more than happy to keep that streak; we also live in Ohio where weather can and does quickly change.

The most important thing our race team can do is keep athletes, volunteers and spectators as safe as possible during Race Day. Dangerous weather conditions pose a challenge to that mission. As a result, here is our Inclement Weather Policy:

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon puts the safety of its participants, spectators, staff and volunteers first. Dangerous weather conditions pose a unique challenge to an event the size of a Marathon or 1/2 Marathon. Therefore we have adopted the following Inclement Weather Policy:

Weather forecasts will be monitored prior to the event, with special attention placed on the possibility of heavy rain, thunder and lightning, high winds and extreme temperatures. If necessary, athletes will be made aware of these conditions and possible dangers which could result on the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon website (www.columbusmarathon.com), as well as through other means of communication such as e-mail, Twitter, Facebook and public address announcements.

The Race Director and Medical Director, in consultation with law enforcement, fire/EMS and other officials, will monitor the weather and make a decision if any action will be taken to modify the race. Possible changes include: Altering the start time or in extreme situations, cancellation of the event. Visible lightning will cause the race to be postponed for a minimum of 30 minutes. Additional sightings will continue to delay the race in 30-minute increments.

If extremely high heat and humidity is predicted, extra water will be provided to the athletes, both prior to, during and after the event. The medical team will be alerted that athletes may require additional medical attention during and after the event due to these conditions. If it is felt that it is unsafe for participants to start the race due to severe temperatures and humidity, the race may be cancelled.

Race personnel reserve the right to delay, cancel, or suspend the race due to inclement weather. Participants must abandon the race if ordered to do so by the race personnel, medical staff, fire or police personnel.

If possible, athletes should check the marathon website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for weather updates prior to or during the race, as well as take note of the color-coded race conditions signage at each mile marker.

Have additional questions? Let us know in the comments below, or share with us on Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll be sure to get them answered!

 

 

26 Tips in 26 Days! Tip #21: Join a pace team.

As we are just a little more than three weeks out from the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Athletes spend months training in early morning hours, often running alone or with a small group of people.  On Race Day, there’s no reason to be alone, not with 18,000 other athletes, 3,000 volunteers and more than 100,000 spectators.

Join a Pace Team:

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon offers free pacing from expert pacers with the Clif Bar Pace Team and the New Albany Walking Club. This team of athletes provides fun and excitement for both first-time and experienced marathoners looking to reach their goals — whether that’s a personal best, or just getting across the finish line.

• Our friends at Clif Bar have an elite team of pace leaders to help every athlete.
• The New Albany Walking Club have experienced pace leaders for walkers.

The Clif Bar Pace Team is a group of experienced athletes who help set the pace at marathons and ½ marathons nationwide. Part coach, part friend, and part mentor, these are expert long distance runners who set a steady pace while offering encouragement and advice. The Pace Team Leader is capable of finishing the event anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes faster, so they can devote their extra energy to assisting their team. The leaders also have completed multiple marathons and can share their expertise with you.

The New Albany Walking Club provides assistance to people of all ages for races of various distances.

Don’t go it alone on Race Day. For more information on the Clif Bar Pace Team and their pacing times, click here or visit their booth at the Expo. You can also download a pace chart to your computer.

We also want to remind everyone you can set a great pace before the race ever begins. Please make plans prior to race day to get downtown and into your parking spot well before the Race starts at 7:30 a.m. The Corrals open at 6 a.m., so plan accordingly.
We encourage everyone to double the time it normally takes them to get downtown. With 18,000 athletes making their way to the Start Line at the same time, you’ll need extra time to get where you want to be.

Have additional questions? Let us know in the comments below, or share with us on Facebook and Twitter, and we’ll be sure to get them answered!

26 Tips in 26 Days. Tip #20: Real-Time Race Tracking

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

For every person who participates in a marathon or ½ marathon, there are dozens of people who helped provide support to make the journey possible. Those friends and family can be anywhere in the world and track your progress on Race Day.

The 2016 Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon Live Results is now available via web for free at http://rtrt.me/col16. Download the RTRT.me Mobile App at http://rtrt.me/app/col16 and select the 2016 Columbus event. Participants, family and friends can all use Live Results to share in the excitement. Sign up now to have race progress posted automatically to your Facebook or Twitter feeds or texted to your mobile phone. On Race Day, spectators can get status of participants in real-time using the Live Tracker & Leaderboard. Details such as time, pace, position on the map and estimated finish will be instantly available. The information will be based on five checkpoints along the course (start, four miles, 13.1 miles, 20 miles and finish).

Online Runner Tracking for the full marathon and the 1/2 marathon is also available. (NOTE: this link will not be working until race time)

There are other popular features including:

• Live Web Tracker – See times and current pace within seconds of a participant crossing each split point. Estimated times will be provided based on current pace.
• Live Leaderboard – See who is winning via the Live Leaderboard. Top runners in each category will be displayed in real-time as they lead the way through the course.
• Real-time Facebook/Twitter Notifications – Get automatic posting as progress is made on the course. As a spectator, the times of the person you are tracking can be posted to your Facebook or Twitter feed automatically allowing friends and family to share in the excitement. If you are a participant, claim your profile and enable Facebook or Twitter notifications. Your stats will post live as you pass each checkpoint.
• Text2Follow – Follow participants in real-time via text notifications to your Mobile phone.
• Email Notifications – Sign up for live notifications to one or more email addresses
• Mobile App – Features include Live Participant Tracking, Push Notifications, Leaderboards, Map Tracking, Event Messages, Event Info and more.
• Please note: Live Tracking results are unofficial. Official results are posted upon completion of the event.

NOTE: If you’re registering for the marathon after 10/7, it will take up to 7 days for your information to be transmitted to our RTRT team, so you may not be able to register for RTRT immediately. Those registering at the Health & Fitness Expo will not be able to set up their Real-Time Race Tracking until Saturday evening.

We want as many people as possible to share in your success. Let Real-Time Race Tracking do the work for you on Race Day.

Have any pre-race questions we can answer now? Let us know on Facebook, Twitter, or in the comments below!

26 Tips in 26 Days. Tip #19: Get spectator tips from a seasoned veteran!

As we put the final preparations in place for this year’s race, we’re sharing “26 Tips in 26 Days” to make sure you’re ready to go on race day. Click here to read them all, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

Yesterday we shared some great places to watch your athletes. Today, we’re sharing a first-hand account from a spectator who has become somewhat of an expert at maneuvering her way around the course to catch her husband’s race. We thank Rachel Lewis for graciously sharing her tips with us.

Spectator Experience – 2015 Columbus Marathon by Rachel Lewis

This was my third year watching the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon.  My husband has run the full marathon three years in a row and I LOVE this race.  I don’t usually go with him to other races he runs, but I actually enjoy cheering him on every year at the Cbus Marathon!

Planning Ahead

• I always review the marathon map with my husband so he knows approximately where I will be to see him, take any gear and replenish anything he needs.
• He knows I will always be on his left, and I make sure he knows what I’m wearing and that my sign has his name in big bold letters so he can find me easily, too.
• I wear a backpack with some of his essentials and mine, and plenty of room for our layers as they come off!
• We also ballpark his race pace so I know how long I have between stops. Plus the me app is FANTASTIC for keeping up when he inevitably gets out faster than expected 🙂

5:30 a.m. – Leaving bright and early!

• We are lucky to have a parking spot in the Arena District.  We avoid traffic two ways: 1) Leaving extra early and 2) Taking the High Street/Convention Center exit off of 670 E (exit is on left) instead of going onto 3rd or Goodale.
• This exit goes behind the convention center on Convention Center Drive for quick access (in and out) to parking at the Hilton, garages and surface lots which are less crowded. It also provides access to the north side of the convention center for more parking options away from the fray.

7:00 a.m.- Head to first spot – Broad Street Presbyterian (short of mile 2)

• I don’t try to catch my husband (or other runner friends) at the start. Instead, I make my way down to Broad Street Presbyterian.  It allows for two viewing spots (this year a bit before mile 2 and around the corner at mile 8.)
• I grab a CoGo bike at Nationwide and Front and walk it until I can hop on. We have a CoGo membership, but it is absolutely worth the $6 to have access to these for the day.  I take the bike out to Parsons and Oak to park it and walk the couple blocks to the church.
• I’m in place by 7:30 and can hear the fireworks and kickoff music, still exciting 2 miles away!
• A nice perk of being this far out is the chance to talk with other spectators, find out who they are rooting for and help each other cheer for our runners once they go by 🙂

7:45 a.m. – Warm up!

• I can’t say enough how wonderful the congregation is at Broad Street Presbyterian!  Their members turn out in force to welcome spectators, offer a place to warm up, provide refreshments and – possibly most importantly – they have heavenly, clean bathrooms (they do accept donations, so I recommend bringing cash.)
• One of my friends was a first-time spectator this year and I recommended she meet me at the church.  She was able to find parking, and navigate her toddler in a stroller to cheer on her husband in the same spots I did!

8:15 a.m. – Head to Mile 8

• I walk the couple blocks toward the mile 8 marker and find a place to cheer!
• After my husband passes by, I make my way back downtown.
• In past years, I grabbed the CoGo again at Parsons and Oak and rode back to catch the shuttle to the shoe.  This year I walked back downtown (Woohoo! fit bit steps!) with my friend to pick up another bike.

8:45 a.m. – Head to Miles 23-24

• I pick up another bike at Sensenbrenner park and ride it up to Goodale and Front to find a safe place to cross the course without interfering with runners.
• I take the bike down to Neil Ave and make my way to the bike stop at 3rd and Michigan in Victorian village.
• This stop is right around the corner from Cafe Apropos, and I had time to appreciate another clean bathroom, order a latte and a bagel and find a seat on the patio to cheer between miles 23 and 24!
• Spectator note: I really like being able to see the names of the other runners on their bibs – it makes it easier to cheer for them personally, especially if someone looks like they need some encouragement.

9:30 a.m. – Head to Finish Line

• I don’t try to catch my husband crossing the finish line due to the crowds, but he makes sure his finish line race photo doesn’t disappoint 🙂
• I ride back downtown and park my bike at the station on Nationwide Blvd near Arch Park and headed to the family reunion area and wait for him to find the flag for our last name.
• And that’s it!  I always have fun working my way around the city, and end up getting a decent workout myself 🙂

If you have any questions, please let us know in the comment section, or ask us on Facebook and Twitter!