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Columbus Marathon Draws 15,000 Runners, Breaks Record and Raises $1.5M
Read the full articleMore than 15,000 runners competed in the Columbus Marathon as James Quattlebaum broke the men's half-marathon course record. The event raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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Guide to 2026 Columbus Marathon: Race Weekend Schedule, Road Closures and Transit Detours
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media detailed race weekend schedules, street closures and transit detours across central Ohio ahead of the event (Guide to 2026 Columbus Marathon: Race Weekend Schedule, Road Closures and Transit Detours).
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Guide to 2026 Columbus Marathon: Race Weekend Schedule, Road Closures and Transit Detours
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/won-2026-columbus-marathon-see-172858731.html
Supporting evidence (28)
More than 15,000 runners took to the streets on Sunday, Oct. 18, for the 46th running of the Columbus Marathon and the 20th edition of the half marathon, generating a single-year fundraising record of $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital (More than 15,000 runners from 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 15 countries participated in Sunday's event, according to marathon organizers; The 2026 Columbus Marathon raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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More than 15,000 runners from 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 15 countries participated in Sunday's event, according to marathon organizers.
More than 15,000 runners took to the streets on Sunday, Oct. 18, for the 46th running of the Columbus Marathon and the 20th edition of the half marathon, generating a single-year fundraising record of $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital (More than 15,000 runners from 49 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and 15 countries participated in Sunday's event, according to marathon organizers; The 2026 Columbus Marathon raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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The 2026 Columbus Marathon raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Since the partnership with the hospital began in 2012, the event has raised $16.5 million for the hospital.
Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, and Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, captured the men's and women's full marathon titles (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05), headlining an event supported by more than 1,700 volunteers and an estimated 100,000 spectators across central Ohio (In addition, over 1,700 volunteers helped with the marathon, and more than 40 bands, DJs and entertainers cheered racers along the route; Organizers said about 100,000 spectators came out to support runners).
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Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05.
Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, and Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, captured the men's and women's full marathon titles (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05), headlining an event supported by more than 1,700 volunteers and an estimated 100,000 spectators across central Ohio (In addition, over 1,700 volunteers helped with the marathon, and more than 40 bands, DJs and entertainers cheered racers along the route; Organizers said about 100,000 spectators came out to support runners).
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In addition, over 1,700 volunteers helped with the marathon, and more than 40 bands, DJs and entertainers cheered racers along the route.
Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, and Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, captured the men's and women's full marathon titles (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05), headlining an event supported by more than 1,700 volunteers and an estimated 100,000 spectators across central Ohio (In addition, over 1,700 volunteers helped with the marathon, and more than 40 bands, DJs and entertainers cheered racers along the route; Organizers said about 100,000 spectators came out to support runners).
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Organizers said about 100,000 spectators came out to support runners.
It's so great to see the whole city come out to support our runners, walkers, Marathon Mile Champions and the work of Nationwide Children's Hospital," Blackford said (It was a perfect weather day for our athletes as exhibited by setting the 1/2 Marathon course record.
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"It was a perfect weather day for our athletes as exhibited by setting the 1/2 Marathon course record. It's so great to see the whole city come out to support our runners, walkers, Marathon Mile Champions and the work of Nationwide Children's Hospital," said Darris Blackford, race director of the Columbus Marathon.
Doud maintained his lead through the final miles, winning in 2:15:08, followed closely by Tatter in 2:15:17 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17).
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Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05.
Doud maintained his lead through the final miles, winning in 2:15:08, followed closely by Tatter in 2:15:17 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17).
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John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17
Swinford, who bided her time behind the lead pack, moved to the front by mile 20 in 2:00:52 and never surrendered her advantage (cleared 20 miles first in 2:00:52 and refused to look back), taking the victory in 2:38:05 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05).
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Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05.
In the men's marathon division, Doud's 2:15:08 was followed by Tatter of Washington, D.C., in second place at 2:15:17, and Tobias Jones of Grove City, Pennsylvania, in third at 2:17:58 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17; Tobias Jones, Grove City, Pennsylvania — 2:17:58).
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Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05.
In the men's marathon division, Doud's 2:15:08 was followed by Tatter of Washington, D.C., in second place at 2:15:17, and Tobias Jones of Grove City, Pennsylvania, in third at 2:17:58 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17; Tobias Jones, Grove City, Pennsylvania — 2:17:58).
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John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17
In the men's marathon division, Doud's 2:15:08 was followed by Tatter of Washington, D.C., in second place at 2:15:17, and Tobias Jones of Grove City, Pennsylvania, in third at 2:17:58 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; John Tatter, Washington, D.C. — 2:15:17; Tobias Jones, Grove City, Pennsylvania — 2:17:58).
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Tobias Jones, Grove City, Pennsylvania — 2:17:58
In the women's marathon division, Swinford led the standings in 2:38:05, with Regina Rose of Newark, Ohio, finishing second in 2:41:44 and Elizabeth Vaughn of Dayton, Ohio, finishing third in 2:43:45 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; Regina Rose, Newark, Ohio — 2:41:44; Elizabeth Vaughn, Dayton, Ohio — 2:43:45).
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Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05.
In the women's marathon division, Swinford led the standings in 2:38:05, with Regina Rose of Newark, Ohio, finishing second in 2:41:44 and Elizabeth Vaughn of Dayton, Ohio, finishing third in 2:43:45 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; Regina Rose, Newark, Ohio — 2:41:44; Elizabeth Vaughn, Dayton, Ohio — 2:43:45).
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Regina Rose, Newark, Ohio — 2:41:44
In the women's marathon division, Swinford led the standings in 2:38:05, with Regina Rose of Newark, Ohio, finishing second in 2:41:44 and Elizabeth Vaughn of Dayton, Ohio, finishing third in 2:43:45 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05; Regina Rose, Newark, Ohio — 2:41:44; Elizabeth Vaughn, Dayton, Ohio — 2:43:45).
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Elizabeth Vaughn, Dayton, Ohio — 2:43:45
In the marathon wheelchair division, Matthew Davis of Madison, Tennessee, claimed first place with a winning time of 2:28:16 (Two Tennesseans dominated the Columbus Marathon's wheelchair races.
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Two Tennesseans dominated the Columbus Marathon's wheelchair races. Matthew Davis of Madison, Tennessee, won the wheelchair marathon in 2:28:16, and Matthew Porterfield of Knoxville, Tennessee, was first in the wheelchair half-marathon in 1:05:40.
Greg McCrabb of Dublin, Ohio, took second place in 2:34:05, and John Moore of Dayton, Ohio, finished third in 2:36:18 (Greg McCrabb, Dublin, Ohio — 2:34:05; John Moore, Dayton, Ohio — 2:36:18).
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Greg McCrabb, Dublin, Ohio — 2:34:05
Greg McCrabb of Dublin, Ohio, took second place in 2:34:05, and John Moore of Dayton, Ohio, finished third in 2:36:18 (Greg McCrabb, Dublin, Ohio — 2:34:05; John Moore, Dayton, Ohio — 2:36:18).
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John Moore, Dayton, Ohio — 2:36:18
The half-marathon saw a historic performance as James Quattlebaum of Greenville, South Carolina, set a new event course record, winning the men's race in 1:01:30 (James Quattlebaum of Greenville, South Carolina, finished first in the men's half-marathon with a time of 1:01:30, a new course record.
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James Quattlebaum of Greenville, South Carolina, finished first in the men's half-marathon with a time of 1:01:30, a new course record. Colbi Borland of Sunbury, Ohio, won the women's half-marathon in 1:12:35.
Alec Basten of Saint Louis, Missouri, finished runner-up in 1:02:41, and Jason Renze of Madrid, Iowa, took third in 1:03:41 (Alec Basten, Saint Louis, Missouri — 1:02:41; Jason Renze, Madrid, Iowa — 1:03:41).
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Alec Basten, Saint Louis, Missouri — 1:02:41
Alec Basten of Saint Louis, Missouri, finished runner-up in 1:02:41, and Jason Renze of Madrid, Iowa, took third in 1:03:41 (Alec Basten, Saint Louis, Missouri — 1:02:41; Jason Renze, Madrid, Iowa — 1:03:41).
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Jason Renze, Madrid, Iowa — 1:03:41
Colbi Borland of Sunbury, Ohio, won the women's half-marathon in 1:12:35 (James Quattlebaum of Greenville, South Carolina, finished first in the men's half-marathon with a time of 1:01:30, a new course record.
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James Quattlebaum of Greenville, South Carolina, finished first in the men's half-marathon with a time of 1:01:30, a new course record. Colbi Borland of Sunbury, Ohio, won the women's half-marathon in 1:12:35.
Alyssa Ondash of North Royalton, Ohio, finished second in 1:12:43, followed by Michka-Mae Hyde of Orlando, Florida, in third at 1:14:11 (Alyssa Ondash, North Royalton, Ohio — 1:12:43; Michka-Mae Hyde, Orlando, Florida — 1:14:11).
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Alyssa Ondash, North Royalton, Ohio — 1:12:43
Alyssa Ondash of North Royalton, Ohio, finished second in 1:12:43, followed by Michka-Mae Hyde of Orlando, Florida, in third at 1:14:11 (Alyssa Ondash, North Royalton, Ohio — 1:12:43; Michka-Mae Hyde, Orlando, Florida — 1:14:11).
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Michka-Mae Hyde, Orlando, Florida — 1:14:11
In the wheelchair half-marathon, Matthew Porterfield of Knoxville, Tennessee, finished first with a time of 1:05:40 (Two Tennesseans dominated the Columbus Marathon's wheelchair races.
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Two Tennesseans dominated the Columbus Marathon's wheelchair races. Matthew Davis of Madison, Tennessee, won the wheelchair marathon in 2:28:16, and Matthew Porterfield of Knoxville, Tennessee, was first in the wheelchair half-marathon in 1:05:40.
Austin Evans of Columbus, Ohio, placed second in 1:24:20 (Austin Evans, Columbus, Ohio — 1:24:20).
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Austin Evans, Columbus, Ohio — 1:24:20
Their contributions helped generate the record $1.5 million single-year total, pushing cumulative fundraising past $16.5 million since the hospital partnership began in 2012 (The 2026 Columbus Marathon raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital.
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The 2026 Columbus Marathon raised a record $1.5 million for Nationwide Children's Hospital. Since the partnership with the hospital began in 2012, the event has raised $16.5 million for the hospital.
"That's what makes this America's Most Meaningful Race, and it's why we're so proud to have raised more than $16.5 million for the hospital together" (Fifteen years into our partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, it still gets me every time I see these kids out on the course.
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"Fifteen years into our partnership with Nationwide Children's Hospital, it still gets me every time I see these kids out on the course. That's what makes this America's Most Meaningful Race, and it's why we're so proud to have raised more than $16.5 million for the hospital together."
https://rundida.com/marathon/columbus/
Supporting evidence (1)
Cool conditions greeted runners at the start line with temperatures near 46°F under clear sunny skies before warming into the midday hours (Expect a cool start near 46°F / 8°C, warming into the low-to-mid 50s°F (11–13°C) by late morning — close to ideal marathon weather).
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Expect a cool start near 46°F / 8°C, warming into the low-to-mid 50s°F (11–13°C) by late morning — close to ideal marathon weather.
https://fatmarathoner.com/columbus-marathon-2026-results/
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The crisp early air rewarded athletes who exercised tactical discipline over early bravado, as neither full marathon winner led at the halfway point (Neither winner led at the halfway mark).
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Neither winner led at the halfway mark.
In the men's race, Keegan Freyhof set an aggressive early tempo through 5 kilometers in 15:37 and 15 kilometers in 47:56 before John Tatter and Tobias Jones caught him at the 13.1-mile mark in 1:07:37 (Keegan Freyhof set the tone early, clearing 5K in 15:37 and leading through 15K in 47:56.
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Keegan Freyhof set the tone early, clearing 5K in 15:37 and leading through 15K in 47:56. It looked like his race to lose. By the halfway mark, though, John Tatter and Tobias Jones had absorbed him, both clicking through 13.1 miles in exactly 1:07:37.
Doud charged forward in the second half, passing the field to reach the 20-mile checkpoint first in 1:43:57, just one second ahead of Tatter (He ran through the field in the second half, hitting the 20-mile checkpoint first in 1:43:57 with Tatter just a second behind).
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He ran through the field in the second half, hitting the 20-mile checkpoint first in 1:43:57 with Tatter just a second behind.
Elizabeth Vaughn led the field through the early stages, and Mary Kate Vaughn crossed the halfway mark in 1:18:27 (Elizabeth Vaughn led the women through the first half of the race, looking controlled and comfortable.
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Elizabeth Vaughn led the women through the first half of the race, looking controlled and comfortable. Her sister Mary Kate Vaughn actually moved ahead at the 13.1-mile point, crossing in 1:18:27 with Elizabeth seven seconds back.
Swinford, who bided her time behind the lead pack, moved to the front by mile 20 in 2:00:52 and never surrendered her advantage (cleared 20 miles first in 2:00:52 and refused to look back), taking the victory in 2:38:05 (Leading the pack this year, Nick Doud of Bloomington, Illinois, won the men's marathon with a time of 2:15:08, while Ashton Swinford of Hudson, Ohio, won the women's marathon in 2:38:05).
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cleared 20 miles first in 2:00:52 and refused to look back.
Official division standings verified following race weekend were scored across men's, women's, and wheelchair divisions, with no separate non-binary category listed in the verified results (Total Finishers: 959 (753 men, 206 women)).
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Total Finishers: 959 (753 men, 206 women)
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/won-2026-columbus-marathon-see-161311916.html
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"About two miles into mile 20 is when my legs started to feel like jelly" (Everyone says the race starts at mile 20.
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Everyone says the race starts at mile 20. They're not wrong," Doud said. "About two miles into mile 20 is when my legs started to feel like jelly.
Competing in her first half-marathon under the coaching of her father, Borland credited him with guiding her preparation (Borland said this was her first half-marathon and credited her father, who also serves as her coach).
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Borland said this was her first half-marathon and credited her father, who also serves as her coach.
The race featured 24 Marathon Mile Champions stationed at individual miles (Organizers said this year's course featured 24 Marathon Mile Champions whose stories help inspire participants), alongside an Encore Mile honoring more than 290 previous patient champions from 2012 through 2025 and a Remembrance Mile dedicated to children who have died (A Remembrance Mile honors patients who have died, while an Encore Mile recognizes more than 290 patients who lined the course from 2012 through 2025).
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Organizers said this year's course featured 24 Marathon Mile Champions whose stories help inspire participants.
The race featured 24 Marathon Mile Champions stationed at individual miles (Organizers said this year's course featured 24 Marathon Mile Champions whose stories help inspire participants), alongside an Encore Mile honoring more than 290 previous patient champions from 2012 through 2025 and a Remembrance Mile dedicated to children who have died (A Remembrance Mile honors patients who have died, while an Encore Mile recognizes more than 290 patients who lined the course from 2012 through 2025).
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A Remembrance Mile honors patients who have died, while an Encore Mile recognizes more than 290 patients who lined the course from 2012 through 2025.
Alison Hile, 25, who lives with cystic fibrosis and receives ongoing care at Nationwide Children's Hospital, cheered along the route on Sunday for her twin sister (When Alison Hile cheered for her twin sister at the Columbus Marathon on Oct. 18, she was also supporting the hospital that has cared for her since childhood; Hile, 25, has cystic fibrosis and still receives care at Nationwide Children's Hospital).
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When Alison Hile cheered for her twin sister at the Columbus Marathon on Oct. 18, she was also supporting the hospital that has cared for her since childhood.
Alison Hile, 25, who lives with cystic fibrosis and receives ongoing care at Nationwide Children's Hospital, cheered along the route on Sunday for her twin sister (When Alison Hile cheered for her twin sister at the Columbus Marathon on Oct. 18, she was also supporting the hospital that has cared for her since childhood; Hile, 25, has cystic fibrosis and still receives care at Nationwide Children's Hospital).
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Hile, 25, has cystic fibrosis and still receives care at Nationwide Children's Hospital.
In 2012, Hile served as the event's first patient champion, helping establish the partnership tradition (In 2012, she became the race's first patient champion− helping launch a tradition that puts patients and their families along the course to encourage runners).
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In 2012, she became the race's first patient champion− helping launch a tradition that puts patients and their families along the course to encourage runners.
Her mother, Jill Hile, serves as vice chair of the Columbus Marathon (said Hile, whose mother, Jill Hile, is vice chair of the Columbus Marathon).
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said Hile, whose mother, Jill Hile, is vice chair of the Columbus Marathon.
"There's not a dull part of this race whatsoever," Hile said (There's not a dull part of this race whatsoever," Hile said).
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"There's not a dull part of this race whatsoever," Hile said.
"I would not be able to be where I'm at today without the support of my doctors, nurses, support staff, my family, my friends" (I would not be able to be where I'm at today without the support of my doctors, nurses, support staff, my family, my friends," said Hile).
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"I would not be able to be where I'm at today without the support of my doctors, nurses, support staff, my family, my friends," said Hile
For Emily Blevins, 31, of Lancaster, the race offered an opportunity to support the hospital following the loss of her child (For Emily Blevins, 31, of Lancaster, the Oct. 18 race offered a way to support Nationwide Children's Hospital after the loss of her child).
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For Emily Blevins, 31, of Lancaster, the Oct. 18 race offered a way to support Nationwide Children's Hospital after the loss of her child.
Blevins recalled that a hospital stay in May left her family deeply grateful for the clinical and support staff (Her family's hospital stay in May left her grateful for everyone involved in their care, from the employees who cleaned their room to the physicians and respiratory therapy staff).
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Her family's hospital stay in May left her grateful for everyone involved in their care, from the employees who cleaned their room to the physicians and respiratory therapy staff.
"They were all amazing, and just a good, good place to support," Blevins said (They were all amazing, and just a good, good place to support," Blevins said).
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"They were all amazing, and just a good, good place to support," Blevins said.
Her husband, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends ran Sunday (Her husband, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were running) to raise funds for genetic research (The family was raising money for genetic research, she said).
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Her husband, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were running.
Her husband, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends ran Sunday (Her husband, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends were running) to raise funds for genetic research (The family was raising money for genetic research, she said).
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The family was raising money for genetic research, she said.
Community fundraising efforts were driven in part by 986 participants designated as Children's Champions (Another 986 participants, known as Children's Champions, were raising money for Nationwide Children's through the event, according to organizers).
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Another 986 participants, known as Children's Champions, were raising money for Nationwide Children's through the event, according to organizers.