Downtown event expects record field, adds Nationwide Better Health as title sponsor
A record crowd of participants is expected at the 28th running of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 in downtown Columbus.

"With the immense popularity of the inaugural 1/2 Marathon this past year we've decided to limit this year's field to 10,000 people," said Scott Weaver, executive director of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon. "The popularity of both marathons and half marathons is at an all-time high right now and we feel by capping the field we'll be able to offer the best experience for each of our participants."

Nationwide Better Health signed on earlier this year and is in its first year of a three-year title sponsorship agreement for the Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon.

"The involvement of Nationwide Better Health coupled with the growing popularity of marathon events across the nation will continue to position our marathon as one of America's top events," said Weaver.

According to Running USA, about 400,000 marathon finishing times were recorded this past year in the United States, an increase of about 4 percent from 2005.

The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon weekend kicks off on Friday, Oct. 19 when the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Expo begins at Battelle Hall from noon to 7 p.m. The Expo will feature more than 70 running and health and fitness related booths, Family Fun Zone with activities for kids of all ages, interactive games, fitness seminars and participant registration and packet pickup. The Expo will re- open on Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The third annual Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon Ringling Bros. Red Nose Children's Run festivities and registration will begin at 10 a.m. at Franklin Park, with the actual races taking place at 1 p.m. The shotgun will go off for the 28th running of the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and 1/2 Marathon at 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21 (walkers start at 7 a.m.) in downtown Columbus from the corner of Broad and High St. The wheelchair racers will get an early start at 7:55 a.m.

The Columbus Marathon was one of the 25 largest marathons in the United States in 2006. Nearly 20 percent of finishers qualified for the Boston Marathon. That event featured approximately 7,700 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes; 1,500 volunteers and tens of thousands of spectators. For more information or to register, please visit the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon's Web site at www.columbusmarathon.com.