Cap City, Columbus Promise Program Team Up To Create Columbus Promise 5K

The OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon renamed its popular 5K running and walking event the Columbus Promise 5K this year as part of a unique partnership between M3S Sports and the new Columbus Promise program that provides free tuition to new Columbus City Schools (CCS) graduates attending Columbus State Community College (CSCC).

“This new partnership with M3S Sports is a tremendous way to amplify awareness and opportunity for Columbus kids,” said Columbus City Council President Shannon G. Hardin. “The Columbus Promise’s simple guarantee doubled new CCS enrollment at CSCC, allowing more than 600 students to attend college with free tuition, support services, and a stipend. We’re excited to serve even more families through the Columbus Promise 5K.”

The Columbus Promise was announced in November 2021 and provides tuition-free education at Columbus State Community College for new Columbus City School graduates. The City of Columbus, Columbus State Community College, Know I Can and Columbus City Schools developed the program based on the national College Promise model used in other cities and states.

“We are thrilled to work with Council President Shannon Hardin, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, Columbus State, I Know I Can, and Columbus City Schools to support the Columbus Promise program and help guarantee that every high-school graduate in our city can go to college,” Race Director David Babner said. “M3S Sports and the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon prides itself in supporting our community over the past two decades and there is no better way to do that than to send high school graduates to Columbus State.”

The Columbus Promise 5K is open to all Columbus Promise scholars thanks to the support of the Columbus State Foundation. M3S Sports will donate a portion of the proceeds from the 5K to The Columbus Promise Fund.

“This is an awesome opportunity for central Ohio to celebrate and support Columbus Promise alongside some of the students benefitting from the program,” said Columbus State President Dr. David Harrison. “Thanks to everyone running, walking and otherwise supporting opportunities for students to earn their college degrees.”

The City of Columbus serves as the overall program champion and invested the initial $4 million to seed The Columbus Promise Fund. The remaining $5.5 million for phase one of the program is split between public and private funders, including OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon Official Partners OhioHealth and PNC.

Past Champions

MALE

2022 Karter Tow 1:11:25

2019 Joshua Park 1:08:02

2018 Evan Schwartz 1:07:55

2017 Leonard Korir 1:03:04

2016 Christo Landry 1:02:52*

2015 Nick Arcianaga 1:05:56

2014 Craig Leon 1:09:56

2013 Joseph Purpura 1:09:00

2012 Matt Folk 1:09:20

2011 Robert Letting 1:05:03

2010 Mike Knutson 1:12:40

2009 Peter Sercer 1:11:52

2008 Robert Letting 1:03:40

2007 Clint Verran 1:06:01

2006 Daniel Cheruiyot 1:06:46

2005 Josh Ordway 1:09:33

2004 Daniel Cheruiyot 1:08:16

Female

2022 Krista Roehligh 1:21:33

2019 Molly Bookmyer 1:13:28

2018 Molly Bookmyer 1:19:05

2017 Natosha Rogers 1:10:45

2016 Tara Welling 1:10:25*

2015 Ellie Hess 1:18:50

2014 Tina Husted 1:21:47

2013 Rebecca Michael 1:18:06

2012 Christina Murphy 1:22:09

2011 Kristen Carter 1:19:51

2010 Kimberly Kellerman 1:25:54

2009 Beth August 1:26:17

2008 Lyndsi Benedict 1:19:54

2007 Melissa Converse 1:22:18

2006 Melissa Converse 1:22:01

2005 Erin Ford 1:25:14

2004 Renee Mangette 1:21:59

*Event Records

The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon hosted the USATF Half Marathon Championships in 2016 and 2017. The event was not held in-person in 2020 and 2021.

Cap City Partners With Columbus Fashion Alliance, Designer Made Reese On 20th Anniversary Event Shirt

The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon partnered with the Columbus Fashion Alliance and designer Made Reese to create this year’s specialedition 20th Anniversary event shirt.

Made Reese is a Columbus-based, selftaught designer and a Youth Fashion instructor at the Columbus Fashion Alliance.

“To commemorate the 20th year of the Capital City Half Marathon, wanted the design to incorporate the Columbus skyline as well as be something clean that could we worn by all demographics,” Reese said. “I am, and continue to be, inspired by the runners, walkers and volunteers for their dedication, time and effort that ultimately goes to a great cause. It was amazing working with the Columbus Fashion Alliance and Capital City Half Marathon team on this collaboration.”

The Columbus Fashion Alliance is a collective of creatives passionate about the Columbus fashion industry. The fashion-based non-profit’s goal is to support the creation and growth of creative and fashion-based businesses through education, accessibility, coaching and creating opportunities to connect artists with industry professionals.

Tow, Roehlig Win Titles At 2022

OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon

Karter Tow, 21, of Columbus, and Krista Roehligh, 28, of Jacksonville, Fla., took home top honors when the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon returned to the streets of Columbus on April 22, 2022 after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Diamond Cellar Offers Free Medal Engraving

Diamond Cellar, the Official Jeweler of the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, will again offer FREE medal engraving for all finishers of the 2023 OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon, OhioHealth Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5K.

After the race take your medal to the Diamond Cellar’s Sawmill Road location at 6280 Sawmill Rd., Dublin, 43017.

Diamond Cellar is the Official Jeweler of the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon and the title sponsor of the Diamond Cellar VIP Experience.

Jet’s Pizza Pace Teams To Get You To The Finish Line, Celebrate You With World’s Largest Pizza Party

Jet’s Pizza, the Official Pizza of the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, will sponsor the Jet’s Pizza Pace Teams on race day that will help you get to the Finish Line, then celebrate you with the World’s Largest Pizza Party at the Byers Xtra Mile Finish Line Party.

The Jet’s Pizza Pace Teams will lead runners and walkers at a variety of speeds in the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon and OhioHealth Quarter Marathon. More information is available at the OhioHealth Expotique & Panera Bread Rapid Packet Pick Up or at capitalcityhalfmarathon.com.

“We would like to thank David (Babner) and the M3S Sports team for giving Jet’s Pizza this incredible opportunity to host the World’s Largest Pizza Party for the 20th anniversary of the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon,” said Amy Young, marketing director for Jet’s Pizza Columbus. “It allows us to give back and celebrate our community.”

Track and Field World Champion, Dublin Native Abby Steiner To Serve As Honorary Race Director

The OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon is proud to welcome Columbus native and two-time Track and Field World Champion, Abby Steiner, as the Honorary Race Director for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Half Marathon.

Steiner is a 2018 Dublin Coffman High School graduate and has recently turned pro in Track and Field after joining the global sports brand, PUMA.

Steiner has seen incredible success on the Track since graduation and her time at the University of Kentucky. She is a 2x Track and Field World Champion (2022, 4x100m and 4x400m), World Finalist (2022, 200m), American record holder (Indoor 200m and 300m) and NCAA record holder (200m).

Steiner will serve as the honorary starter for the 20th edition of the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon on Saturday, April 29 in downtown Columbus.

“I’m excited to be the Honorary Race Director of the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon,” says Abby Steiner. “The Capital City Half Marathon is all about getting out and celebrating the active, healthy lifestyle and I’m honored to be in my hometown to kick off the celebration for the 12,000+ participants.”

“Abby has brought an immense amount of pride to the city of Columbus and the state of Ohio and we are incredibly excited to have her as this year’s Honorary Race Director,” Race Director, David Babner said. “Abby is a champion on and off the track and having her kick off this celebration of the active, healthy lifestyle at the 20th Anniversary of the OhioHealth Capital City Half Marathon is an honor.”

The OhioHealth Capital City Half and Quarter Marathon and Columbus Promise 5k blends block party vibes with tons of local fun to create one of the country’s best race experiences