I introduced RUNOHIO at the 1988 Columbus Marathon and the first issue of RUNOHIO was printed in March of 1989. My younger brother Jeff and my mom, Jean McGowan, assisted with the start of the publication.
A number of difficulties have occurred since we started RUNOHIO, including my father Jim passing away the night of the Columbus Marathon Expo, Jeff passing in 2012 and my mom passing in 2018. March started our 39th year serving the running community. If hope you will renew your subscription and if you are not a subscriber to the print RUNOHIO, I hope you will sign up this year.
Spring is a time when many new athletes start track & field. According to latest statistics from the National Federation of State High School Associations Track & Field is the number one participatory sport for high school girls for the thirteenth year in a row and number two for high school boys. Make an effort to watch these athletes compete at one of the many local track & field meets. The Ohio High School Athletic Association State Track & Field Championships will be at OSU Jesse Owens Stadium June 4th – 7th. https://www.ohsaa.org/Sports-Tournaments/Track-Field/2026-Track-and-Field/2026-Track-Field-State-Coverage
In 1980 while attending graduate school at Miami University I directed my first race, after starting the women’s cross-country team at Miami thru the Intramurals Department under the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. For four years I directed a 5K cross country event and a five miler in the fall to bring attention and raise money for the team. In the spring, I started the Red Brick Run 5K which is still being held.
Thirty nine years ago with the help of my brother, Jeff we started the Circleville Classic which is held the Saturday morning of the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Most likely, this year after being race or co-race director of 300 plus events, this year’s Circleville Classic will be the last race I will be directing . I am hopeful a co-race director and volunteers will be able to assist this year’s race. https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Circleville/CirclevilleClassic
If you are directing a race in 2026 please send RUNOHIO your race information and/or an entry form as soon as you have the information available to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or RUNOHIO, PO Box 238, Granville, OH 43023. RUNOHIO will list the basic information in the print RUNOHIO and on the monthly race calendar on www.runohio.com. If you are interested in advertising your event or other running related products - RUNOHIO is offering discounts on all ads for our 39thanniversary. If you are interested in adverting in the print RUNOHIO or on the RUNOHIO E-Newsletter Upcoming Races contact Matt McGowan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Chuck Bartlett for advertising on the RUNOHIO web site and the RUNOHIO monthly E-Newsletter This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. With your support RUNOHIO can continue to help promote running in Ohio and the Midwest. If you have a running related article or want to spot light your running club, please forward it to me – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The deadline for the Summer RUNOHIO is June 7th.
Enjoy your spring training and racing. I hope to see you at a race or a track meet.
Matt McGowan