After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons. The race packet pickup was … MORE
After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons.
The race packet pickup was at a new location this year. I went on Friday during my lunch. It seems like everyone else had the same idea I had. The parking lot was tight and was pretty full. There were volunteers that were helpful in directing participants to open spots. Once inside, it went quickly. I just wasn’t a fan of the location, but the parking was free.
The half and quarter marathons started together at 8. The 5K started a half hour later. The corrals were wide and I didn’t feel like I was going to be trampled, and I was able to get into a comfortable pace early. That was not the case in my race two weeks before.
It was a little warmer than I’d like for a race, but it was good for spectators. I was impressed by the amount of people out watching. I knew a lot of people due to various running clubs that I’ve attended over the years. It made it a little more fun in that respect since I usually do out of town races. There seemed to be plenty of fluid stations. It was a nice tour of some of the Columbus neighborhoods with a loop around Ohio Stadium (the Shoe). I don’t recall much on course entertainment.
The end had all the usual fare, nothing special. It’s the after party that is the main attraction. Your friends and family can reunite with you at the Columbus Commons where you can get your pizza slice and several different adult beverages. They have a live band and the party goes until 1.
The shirt was nice, but not one I will run in since it’s just a cotton t and not a good wicker. The medal was large and had a nice design. The tracking app was also one of the better ones. I tracked several people and it is pretty accurate. The only negative is that they gear check did lose my friend’s bag. Luckily, after several hours, she did get it back.
Overall, I would recommend this race if you need a spring half in Ohio. It probably gets a little overlooked because it’s just a week before the Flying Pig.
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Hometown race w/ great after party
After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons. The race packet pickup was … MORE
After several years of watching, I decided to run again. This is a hometown race and was one of my first of many half marathons.
The race packet pickup was at a new location this year. I went on Friday during my lunch. It seems like everyone else had the same idea I had. The parking lot was tight and was pretty full. There were volunteers that were helpful in directing participants to open spots. Once inside, it went quickly. I just wasn’t a fan of the location, but the parking was free.
The half and quarter marathons started together at 8. The 5K started a half hour later. The corrals were wide and I didn’t feel like I was going to be trampled, and I was able to get into a comfortable pace early. That was not the case in my race two weeks before.
It was a little warmer than I’d like for a race, but it was good for spectators. I was impressed by the amount of people out watching. I knew a lot of people due to various running clubs that I’ve attended over the years. It made it a little more fun in that respect since I usually do out of town races. There seemed to be plenty of fluid stations. It was a nice tour of some of the Columbus neighborhoods with a loop around Ohio Stadium (the Shoe). I don’t recall much on course entertainment.
The end had all the usual fare, nothing special. It’s the after party that is the main attraction. Your friends and family can reunite with you at the Columbus Commons where you can get your pizza slice and several different adult beverages. They have a live band and the party goes until 1.
The shirt was nice, but not one I will run in since it’s just a cotton t and not a good wicker. The medal was large and had a nice design. The tracking app was also one of the better ones. I tracked several people and it is pretty accurate. The only negative is that they gear check did lose my friend’s bag. Luckily, after several hours, she did get it back.
Overall, I would recommend this race if you need a spring half in Ohio. It probably gets a little overlooked because it’s just a week before the Flying Pig.
Great Race
This is a great race in Columbus, Ohio. The course is mostly flat, with a few small, short hills (though they did not feel short or small on this day). … MORE
This is a great race in Columbus, Ohio. The course is mostly flat, with a few small, short hills (though they did not feel short or small on this day). There is a lot of fan support through most of the race. Around 5,000 runners for the half. There is also a quarter marathon and a 5k. Start of race in the southern part of the city, then run through some cool neighborhoods, then back through the city, then run around Ohio State University, past bball stadium and around the fball stadium, then through campus. The last couple of miles are tough. Weather got a little warm at the end and most of the hills are at the end. The race shirt is ok, runs small and the medal is huge and seems to weigh almost 2 lbs. I would suggest staying at the Westin Great Southern Columbus hotel. Race price was around $200 for 1 night, 4 blocks to the packet pick up, 3 blocks to the race start and finish.
Wow!
The race was well orchestrated. The atmosphere was great. People at the aid stations where upbeat and nice. Everyone cheering really helped. I didn't realize Columbus has so many hills. … MORE
The race was well orchestrated. The atmosphere was great. People at the aid stations where upbeat and nice. Everyone cheering really helped. I didn’t realize Columbus has so many hills. Campus is beautiful.
First half marathon
Really nice atmosphere and smooth production! Local pro runner Abby Steiner was an honorary race director this year, which was a cool touch. The race starts and finishes near Columbus … MORE
Really nice atmosphere and smooth production! Local pro runner Abby Steiner was an honorary race director this year, which was a cool touch. The race starts and finishes near Columbus Commons, which makes for surprisingly easy logistics for a downtown race. There is a public bathroom in the Commons, and there were plenty of port-a-pots both pre/post-race and on the course. The corral staggering seemed to be done just about perfectly. The back half of the race has some sneaky incline, but the overall atmosphere was great. The medals and shirts were both good quality, and they gave runners a cinch bag this year with a slot specifically for the bib. I’m sure I’ll be running this in the future and trying to improve on my time.
Fun local race
This race attracts the elite and beginners. Well run by local race organizers. Nice swag. Decent expo most years. Has some hills but nothing super bad. MORE
This race attracts the elite and beginners. Well run by local race organizers. Nice swag. Decent expo most years. Has some hills but nothing super bad.
Race was called due to Storms.
Cap City is one of the best races around. I have ran it four years in a row. It was disappointing that it was called due to severe storms this … MORE
Cap City is one of the best races around. I have ran it four years in a row. It was disappointing that it was called due to severe storms this time around. All in all every other year, it is a class act and a blast to run. Great entertainment and excellent volunteers with multiple aid and water stations….
Good race for a first half
Lots of participants and a great way to see the city up close. A negative for half-marathoners is the 10k racers break off and it is a bit disheartening to … MORE
Lots of participants and a great way to see the city up close. A negative for half-marathoners is the 10k racers break off and it is a bit disheartening to see them turning around. The after race refreshments are super with food and several adult beverages!
Celebrate spring arriving in Columbus!
Columbus is a relatively flat city (with a surprise hill towards the end of the race), great access for spectators, and a really well-executed finish line party! Every bit as … MORE
Columbus is a relatively flat city (with a surprise hill towards the end of the race), great access for spectators, and a really well-executed finish line party! Every bit as fun and well-run as the “mega” race series out there and worth a trip to the capital city! 🙂
Very Well Organized
This was my third year running Cap City. Still one of my favorites. If you like taking in the sites of the big city this is a good race. And … MORE
This was my third year running Cap City. Still one of my favorites. If you like taking in the sites of the big city this is a good race. And the bands and spectators make it even better. If you don’t mind running in big crowds this is your race…if you do not like large crowds however, you may want to avoid this one. It usually has about 15,000 runners every year and honestly you will spend the first 3 miles doing a bit of bobbing and weaving, but get past that and it’s a pretty nice race.
Great Race!!
Second time running this race and the second year was even better than the first. Great course, scenic if you like going through the city, great aid stations, and great … MORE
Second time running this race and the second year was even better than the first. Great course, scenic if you like going through the city, great aid stations, and great entertainment and supportive spectators along the course. Medals are beautiful and the after party is great! If you like big races this is one to put on your list…if you don’t like big crowds you may want to avoid this one, but overall this one is amazing!
First Half...Amazing!
This was my first half marathon and all I can say is amazing!! Very well organized, great expo, lots of aid stations, great entertainment along the course as well as … MORE
This was my first half marathon and all I can say is amazing!! Very well organized, great expo, lots of aid stations, great entertainment along the course as well as supportive spectators. The finish line party and food is incredible. Definitely one I will do again!!