The Mill Race Marathon has been blessed for the past decade with fairly stable weather conditions and fair skies, but this year’s event came with a helping of leftover Hurricane Helene.
So we wanted to give a shout-out to the volunteers, first responders, runners, organizers and spectators who showed their resilience and dedication by carrying on with their plans for the marathon despite the challenging conditions Friday night and Saturday.
It takes hundreds of volunteers to create a safe and fun marathon experience, and Columbus has been blessed with people who year after year come out to support the marathon and its competitors.
Among the larger groups of volunteers this year were the Columbus Pickleball Club, Club Olympia Swim Team, Elwood Staffing, German American Bank and The Ridge Church.
And in race weekends as soggy as this one was, it takes even more dedication from those volunteers to brave the weather issues to answer questions, provide refreshment at the water stations and finish line and to assist runners with picking up packets, obtaining their medals and helping them celebrate at the Finish on 4th After Party.
Proceeds from the Mill Race Marathon benefit Healthy Communities, to increase opportunities and remove barriers to participation in physical activity at elementary schools with the elementary cross country program and to assist lower income families. Healthy Communities also encourages walking at NexusPark and the Double Bucks program at the Columbus Farmers Market.
Proceeds also benefit the Columbus Parks Foundation with items at the Donner Pool, Hamilton Community Center and Ice Arena and gymnastics training.
Local schools also benefit from the Kids Fun Run, in which schools with the most participants receive monetary awards for their physical fitness programs.
So for those who volunteered or raced and toughed it out on Friday and Saturday, the Columbus community thanks you. Your efforts will help kids and adults have a healthier 2025.
