Ohio State 4 Miler
Columbus, OH
- 4 Miler
- Road (Paved)
- Official race website
The Ohio State 4 Miler, the largest four-mile running and walking event in the country, is your chance to “Finish On The 50” inside Ohio Stadium. The celebration of Football & Fitness is open to runners and walkers! Every Participant receives: “Finish On The 50” Experience in Ohio Stadium NIKE … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Apr 12):
| 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
| H (°F) | 80 | 55 | 58 | 79 | 69 |
| L (°F) | 47 | 30 | 49 | 52 | 49 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Move to spring game weekend
I was upset when this race wasn't run in 2022, but they switched from a Fall date to now line up moving forward with Ohio State's spring game weekend. Luckily, … MORE
I was upset when this race wasn’t run in 2022, but they switched from a Fall date to now line up moving forward with Ohio State’s spring game weekend. Luckily, Sunday was much cooler than the weather for the actual spring game! The course was the same as previous years, but this year there was no on-site packet pickup. Pickup was at the DSW in Dublin and went fairly smoothly. Swag included a Nike tech shirt and a medal designed to look like the stadium. Technically, race entry also included a ticket to the game. The spring game tickets are pretty cheap ($10 with fees), which I can confirm because the ticket voucher didn’t work smoothly, and I ended up just buying a ticket separately.
On race day: the starting corrals are really packed, and a lot of people seemed out of place, but the waves went pretty smoothly. Quite a few football players and former football players were at the finish, which is a fun element. I love running onto the field and feeling like I’m doing a 40-yard (make that 50-yard!) dash. The course may be a bit short, or perhaps my watch needs some calibrating, but regardless, this was a huge PR for me – I’ve run a relatively high number of 4-milers. 😉 This was also my aunt’s first race ever, and she had a blast. This is the kind of event that hooks new runners, and it’s really family-friendly. At least if you’re a Buckeye family!
Like being back in college!
I ran this race for the first time as a relatively new runner. I went to Ohio State for undergrad and grad school...as an undergrad, I had a few class … MORE
I ran this race for the first time as a relatively new runner. I went to Ohio State for undergrad and grad school…as an undergrad, I had a few class schedules that had me walk 5 miles a day from class-to-class, so it was funny for me to retrace those steps! If you’re a Buckeye fan, this race is great because 1) you get to finish on the 50 at Ohio Stadium, 2) there are a bunch of former OSU athletes down on the field, and 3) you get a pretty sweet medal. 2021’s was shaped like a jersey, with free engraving available at a local jewelry store. I didn’t stick around for long post-race with everything still going on with covid, but this was a fun, nostalgic trek through campus and a race I intend to run again!
Buckeye Fans!
If your a Buckeye fan you will love this race! You get to run around campus and onto the Shoe (Ohio Stadium). The course is very flat and fast. MORE
If your a Buckeye fan you will love this race! You get to run around campus and onto the Shoe (Ohio Stadium). The course is very flat and fast.
Most bang for your "Buck"
I do this race every year. The proceeds benefit cancer research. Also, it's 4 miles through OSU's campus. What more could you ask for??? Oh bling. The medals are top … MORE
I do this race every year. The proceeds benefit cancer research. Also, it’s 4 miles through OSU’s campus. What more could you ask for??? Oh bling. The medals are top notch. Huge. Beautiful. Worthy of showing off. The shirts are tech and get better every year. Starting line entertainment? The absolute best I’ve seen in races. Each wave was sent off with a rap song written in lyrics focused on OSU. And, Brutus showed us his dance moves before high-fiving the runners out. The course is gorgeous. You won’t get more for your race dollars anywhere.
It’s a family run so I get enjoyment with running with my home-peeps. Also, it’s a great run for first time runners.
What about the finish, you ask. In the final stretch, you tunnel into the stadium and cross the finish at the 50-yard line and your face is shown on the gigantic scoreboard screen. This is your chance for the world to see your best or worst race day visage. So go ahead and give your best grimace or your easy peasy smile.
The recovery food is amazing. Every year, I forget to bring a bag with me and I end up lugging a ton of delicious snacks to my car before I can chow down.
Go Bucks!!!
I love this race because, not only did I graduate from OSU, but because my little daughter and hubby (a Wolverine) run it with me. High-fiving Brutus at the start … MORE
I love this race because, not only did I graduate from OSU, but because my little daughter and hubby (a Wolverine) run it with me. High-fiving Brutus at the start is somehow extremely energizing. Of course, the route is amazing – it’s OSU!! To cross the finish at the 50-yard line is thrilling, especially when you see your face on the big screen. Of course, I tell lots of stories to my daughter as we pass all the landmarks.
The medal is huge and beautiful. The post-face food is in abundance. The crowd is spectacular.