Each of the event’s three races takes participants on a tour of Ohio’s largest city, along the banks of the Scioto River and through some of its most noteworthy sights, including the campus of Ohio State University and through the city’s arena district, where they’ll pass by Nationwide Arena, the home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, and Arch Park.
Runners start the race on High Street at the intersection with Rich Street, and finishes at the Columbus Commons, along High Street. From there the half marathon route makes what is roughly a counterclockwise loop through the city, along both downtown streets and parts of its riverfront areas, as the heart of the city lies right at the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto Rivers.
Runners, walkers and wheelchair competitors are all welcome in the four-hour race, which starts promptly at 8:00 AM for the half-marathon and the quarter marathon, and 8:30 AM for those running the 5K.
The race has drawn notable, world-famous runners in past years, including Clint Verran and Daniel Cheruiyot, who won the event’s 2007 half marathon race together when they finished in a tie.
Largely fast and flat and without any serious rises or declines in elevation throughout the course, the Capital City Half Marathon has enjoyed a significant degree of success as an event in a relatively short time period — especially considering its inaugural running took place just in 2004.