Staff Reports
Seven weeks have made a significant difference in registration for the third annual Mill Race Marathon on Sept. 26 in Columbus.
Registration more than tripled from June 24 to Wednesday, growing from 696 entrants to 2,161 for either the marathon, half-marathon, 5K run or Kids Fun Run (set for Sept. 25).
Overall participation last year was about 3,400 runners, a decrease from the inaugural marathon in 2013, when more than 4,000 runners participated.
The greatest gain of the seven-week period was for the half-marathon, which added 808 entrants.
Registration for the full marathon increased by 132 runners.
Seven age groups, 25-to-29 up through 55-to-59, each gained at least 122 participants. The 30-to-34 age group gained the most entries, 186, and represents 13 percent of total registration — the highest percentage and unchanged from June 24.
The gender split among entrants changed only slightly. Females represent 53 percent of entries and males 47 percent — a 1 percentage point drop for females and a 1 percentage point increase for males.
Columbus’ 1,115 entrants represent 52 percent of the total.
After Indiana, where 88.5 percent of the registered runners live, Ohio and Kentucky were neck-and-neck for next highest with 3.5 percent of the total runners.
