Running Columbus

Last weekend marked the 33^rd running of the Columbus mini and half marathon. A marathon is a 26.2-mile race, and the one in Columbus, Ohio takes places downtown, around the suburbs, and even the Ohio State University campus. The race took place at 7:30 AM Sunday morning and with over 17,000 runners, not including spectators, the streets were extremely crowded. With every runner with a different motive in mind, whether it is to perform as a team, to qualify for another marathon, for fun, or strictly as a personal goal. Some racers run for comic relief; for example, this year there was a participant that ran the entire half marathon in a gorilla suit. Another couple ran as Jane and Tarzan. No matter what the motivation was, all of the runners came out to have a great time doing something they loved.

One of the most interesting and entertaining about the Columbus marathon is that along the course of the race, there are over 100 live bands playing. This adds to the cheerful, yet competitive atmosphere. Another inspirational part of the race is that it is open to the handicapped. The first few participants that passed by the spectators were the wheelchair racers. These men and women were going to travel 13.1 miles sitting down using only their hands. This kind of determination is present throughout the entire marathon. By the end of the 26.2 or 13.1 miles, the relief and accomplishment of each runner is clearly displayed across their faces. The winner of this year's marathon was Matt Folk from Perrysburg, Ohio, with a time of 2:19:47.  This is an average of around 5 minutes and 30 seconds per mile. This speed is unheard of, especially when it is being kept consistent for that kind of distance. Overall, this event is one of the most refreshing and inspirational activities one can participate in. Whether you chose to race for competitive reasons, as a lifetime goal, or to accomplish something you thought impossible, I would highly recommend training and finishing a marathon or half marathon. The feeling of accomplishment that comes after completing something like this is indescribable. As a half marathon finisher, I feel truly accomplished and am planning on continuing my marathon goals, and I would encourage anyone to do the same.