April 1, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 1, 2026) – The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon has once again been named one of the top half marathons in the country by the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, marking the third consecutive year the event has earned national recognition. The race was voted the #2 Half Marathon in the Country by readers.
Each year, USA TODAY 10Best editors and a panel of expert runners nominate their top 20 events nationwide before opening voting to the public to determine the top 10. The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon continues to stand out as one of the premier events in the country, and the only Half Marathon recognized in the state of Ohio.
The recognition comes at a time when the half marathon distance is booming. Industry reports from Running USA show participation continues to climb, with nearly 2 million runners completing a half marathon each year in the U.S.
“To be recognized at a time when the half marathon distance is growing so rapidly makes this honor even more meaningful for our team and the Columbus running and walking community,” said David Babner, Cap City Race Director and founder of M3S Sports. “Columbus is a world class sports city, and we are proud to play a part in showcasing our city.”
The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon (13.1 miles) is the flagship event on the M3S Sports annual event schedule. The event also includes the OhioHealth Capital City Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles) and the Columbus Promise 5K (3.1 miles).
Focused on creating a remarkable celebration of the healthy, active lifestyle, USA TODAY has highlighted the event’s scenic course and one-of-a-kind post-race party featuring complimentary food, beverages and a live concert as standout elements year after year.
“This event would not be possible without the incredible support from the City of Columbus, Franklin County, our Event partners led by OhioHealth, Medical Director Ben Bring and the OhioHealth medical team and the remarkable running and walking community,” said Babner. “Our goal has always been to create a remarkable celebration of the healthy active lifestyle and encouraging participation of athletes of all abilities, and we could not be prouder of this continued national recognition for Cap City and the City of Columbus.”
The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon, set for Saturday, April 25, will welcome more than 11,000 runners and walkers to downtown Columbus. Participants will experience a world-class race atmosphere, premium race swag and a vibrant post-race celebration at Columbus Commons.
Registration is open, and runners and walkers of all experience levels are encouraged to join. More information can be found at CapitalCityHalfMarathon.com.
CLICK HERE for the full list of winners.
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About the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon:
Founded in 2004, the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon is one of the premier road race events in the Midwest. The event features the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5K and is produced by M3S Sports. Voted the #2 Half Marathon in the Country by USA TODAY, the event offers a one-of-a-kind tour of Columbus and a post-race party and concert celebrating runners and walkers living a healthy, active lifestyle.