Mar 07, 2025
The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon takes you on the Best Tour of Columbus.
Whether you are running the Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon or 5K, you're guaranteed to see some of the very best that Columbus has to offer.
Check out below for more on all of the famous Columbus landmarks you'll be passing as you make your way from the Start Line to the Finish Line Celebration!
DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS & JOHN F. WOLFE COLUMBUS COMMONS
Start/Finish Line
The OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5K starts & ends in the heart of Downtown Columbus at the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons. The 6-acre park opened in 2011 and is surrounded by housing, shops and restaurants. The park hosts more than 200 free events each year.
GERMAN VILLAGE & SCHILLER PARK
Half & Quarter Marathon and 5K*
Originally built by German settlers in the mid-1800's, German Village features restored brick houses and shops & restaurants full of historic charm. The neighborhood was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 and is one of the largest privately restored neighborhoods in the United States.
At the center of German Village is Schiller Park. The city's second-oldest park was established in 1857 and is named for famous poet, Friedrich von Schiller.
Keep an eye out for German Village favorites such as the Thurman Cafe, the Book Loft, Pistacia Vera, Katzinger's Delicatessen & more!
*The 5K will see parts of German Village
GREATER COLUMBUS CONVENTION CENTER & GOODALE PARK
Half & Quarter Marathon
The City's iconic convention center was designed by famed architect Peter Eisenman and opened in 1993. It was expanded in 1999 and underwent a major renovation in 2016. The Greater Columbus Convention Center hosts nearly every major event that comes to the City of Columbus. Keep an eye out for the famed Arnold Schwarzenegger statue in front of the Convention Center for an extra boost!
Goodale Park, the city's oldest public park, was donated to the city in 1851. For a few months during the Civil War, the park was a staging area for the Union Troops known as Camp Jackson.
THE OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
Half Marathon
The Ohio State University is a land-grant university that was founded in 1870 and is one of the largest universities in the United States with approximately 60,000 students on its main campus. The Half Marathon goes past The Oval, an 11-acre park that is one of the most recognizable spots on campus.
OHIO STADIUM
Half Marathon
The world-renowned home of the Ohio State Buckeyes football team, Ohio Stadium, opened in 1922 with a then incomprehensible capacity of 66,210 at a cost of $1.49 million. Today the stadium, also known as the Horseshoe or the 'Shoe, sells all 102,802 seats on fall Saturdays as fans from near and far come to watch their beloved Buckeyes.
Give an O-H as you pass the 'Shoe and you'll be sure to get an I-O!
SCHOTTENSTEIN CENTER
Half Marathon
The Schottenstein Center became the city's first multi-purpose arena when is opened it's doors in November 1998. The Arena is home to the Ohio State Men's & Women's Basketball teams, Men's Ice Hockey team, concerts and other special events. The Arena seats 18,809 for basketball and is the largest arena in the Big Ten Conference.
SHORT NORTH & ITALIAN VILLAGE
Half & Quarter* Marathon
The Short North Arts District and Italian Village are iconic neighborhoods that boarder Downtown Columbus. The Short North is full of restaurants, pubs, art galleries and shops and is a popular destination for residents & visitors.
Italian Village, just west of the Short North, is known for its historical & cultural preservation and has some of the highest home values in the City of Columbus.
*The Quarter Marathon will see parts of the Short North
NATIONWIDE ARENA & ARENA DISTRICT
Half & Quarter Marathon
Nationwide Arena has been the home to the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League since September 2000. The arena, which also hosts concerts & family events, sits at the heart of the Arena District, one of the city's hottest entertainment districts that was built through a unique partnership between the City of Columbus and Nationwide Realty Investors.
OHIO STATEHOUSE
Half & Quarter Marathon, 5K
Built between 1839 & 1861, the Ohio Statehouse is one of the oldest working statehouses in the United States. The Greek Revival building is at the heart of Capitol Square in downtown Columbus and houses the General Assembly and ceremonial offices for the state's governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer and auditor.
CLICK HERE to view all course maps and get ready to take YOUR Tour of Columbus.
