A Guide to Races, Marathons, and Fun Runs across Columbus in 2023

Compiled by CityPulse Columbus staff

Did you know? Columbus was recently named one of the ten best cities for runners, according to Runner’s World and ARRIS. To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of 40 charitable races and fun runs in 2023. So you’ll have no excuse to get some exercise in while supporting worthy causes all across the capital city each month. If we missed your favorite race, let us know and we’ll add it here!

OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon via Facebook

April 2023

OHIOHEALTH CAPITAL CITY HALF & QUARTER MARATHON • April 29
One of the largest half marathons in the Midwest, with a field of 14,000 runners and walkers.

THE HUNGER RUN 5K • April 30
Help chase hunger out of central Ohio at this annual 5k in support of NSI Food Pantry.

 

Girls on the Run 5K via Facebook

May 2023

LET ME RUN COLUMBUS SPRINGFEST 5K • May 7
Let Me Run Columbus is a nonprofit wellness program that inspires boys to be themselves, be active, and belong. Each fall and spring offers a race festival that celebrates the boys’ personal growth.

SAFARI 5K & FROG JOG • May 13
Hosted by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, your morning begins with a kids 1/3 mile Frog Jog around Conservation Lake followed by the Safari 5K. It’s an all-day experience for the entire family.

2FGR RUN FOR DOWN SYNDROME • May 18
Join 2FGR and DSACO to take part in the Kids Race, 3K, 5K, or 10K. Race day activities include inflatable bounce houses, post-race food, music, & more.

COLUMBUS RACE FOR THE CURE • May 20
Support Komen’s mission to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in local communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

GIRLS ON THE RUN 5K • May 21
Non-competitive fun run that will bring a smile to your face while supporting programs encouraging healthy behaviors and confidence.

PRIVATE SCHOOL PUPS 5K • May 21
Support dog training grants and educational resources for fosters and adopters of rescue dogs in need at their inaugural charity run in Westerville.

FORE! MILER • May 25
A 4-mile road race open to runners and walkers at Muirfield Village Golf Club that finishes on the 18th green of the Memorial Tournament to benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation.

FIELD OF HEROES 5K • May 28
This family/friendly 5k Run/Walk offers unique opportunities to run through Fire Station 111 and finish among 3,000 full size American flags.

MEMORIAL DAY RUN, WALK, RUCK AND ROLL • May 28
A family event to honor America’s lost heroes who died defending our country’s safety and freedom. The event offers the option to run, walk, ruck or roll in a 5K in honor of a lost loved one in your own life or to honor a servicemember, featuring options to run in-person during Memorial Day weekend or complete your race from home.

UACA MEMORIAL DAY RUN • May 29
The 5k and 1 mile courses race through the flat and fast streets of Upper Arlington, offering a great experience for serious and casual runners alike.

 

Sam’s Fans 5K via Facebook

June 2023

AEP OHIO COLUMBUS 10K • June 4
Take in the riverfront, High Street, German Village, and the best of Columbus in a 6.2 mile tour of Ohio’s capital city.

BERKSHIRE TRIATHLON • June 4
The 12th annual Berkshire Triathlon + Kids Fun Run will be hosted at the Upper Arlington Jones Track with 100% of the proceeds going to Flying Horse Farms, Red Oak Family Foundation, and the Beehive Alliance charities.

NO GRAD LEFT BEHIND 5K • June 10
Help raise money to provide academic and mental health mentorships for economically disadvantaged HS seniors.

SAM’S FANS 5K • June 11
Super family friendly 5K or 1 mile run/walk at Wolfe Park on a tree lined trail to raise awareness and funds for music & art therapy.

NAPRF FAMILY FUN 5K • June 24
The New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation is hosting their 3rd Annual Family Fun Day with a 5K race through Bevelhymer Park. Post-race activities include food trucks, inflatables, games, and an outdoor movie.

STONEWALL PRIDE 5K • Anytime in June
Put on your best Pride gear and get out there to support LGBTQIA+ rights, culture, and progress. Registration proceeds help fund Stonewall Columbus programming and operations.

 

Dash for Donation photo courtesy of Lifeline of Ohio

July 2023

FIRECRACKER 4 & 8 MILE • July 1
A patriotic-themed event that is perfect for the whole family featuring a 1-mile, 4-mile, 8-mile, and kids run.

HILLTOP U.S.A. 5K • July 1
The oldest race on the hilltop supports the American Legion Don Gentile Post 532 Honor Guard.

GROVE CITY FIRECRACKER 5K • July 4
Jump start your Independence Day on the Pinnacle Club Golf Course with this 5K and 100 meter “Sparkler Sprint” in support of Grove City Buddy Ball.

DASH FOR DONATION • July 8
Travel through the streets of Downtown Columbus to share the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation.

DARBY CREEK TRAIL RUN • July 15
Enjoy either a 5k or 10k trail run through the picturesque but challenging terrain of Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

FOR YOUR HEALTH 5K • July 22
A community event at The Dawes Arboretum in Newark, OH that encourages a healthy lifestyle with a 5k run/walk and 1-mile fun walk.

 

African American Male Wellness Agency Run/Walk via YouTube

August 2023

PELOTONIA • August 4-6
Three-day experience that includes a weekend of cycling, entertainment and volunteerism with 100 percent of every dollar raised going to cancer research.

GRANDVIEW YARD QUARTER MARATHON & 5K • August 6
The course provides a fantastic tour of the Grandview Yard, Franklinton, the Scioto Greenway and the Arena District, with a post-race party in Ray E. DeGraw Park.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE WELLNESS AGENCY RUN/WALK • August 12
For 20 years, the AA Wellness Agency has worked to save Black men’s lives, close the health gap and help Black men to live longer from preventable diseases through “The Walk,” which is attended by over 100,000 men, women, and children each year.

TVS CHARITY CHALLENGE • August 19
The TVS Charity Challenge is a 5K Trail Run and 1 mile fun walk to support The Reitter Education Fund at Olentangy Schools and Tri-Village Sertoma Charities.

 

Bike the Cbus photo by CEO Photography

September 2023

BIKE THE CBUS • September 3
Columbus’ original city-wide ride since 2008, Bike the Cbus is a bicycle tour for all ages and abilities. The 30-mile route will highlight Columbus landmarks over a combination of trails and road riding.

OKTOBERFEST MEILER VIER • September 8
The Oktoberfest Meiler Vier is a four-mile run that traditionally kicks off the Columbus Oktoberfest Festival.

JOHN GLENN INTERNATIONAL RUNWAY 5K RUN & WALK • September 16
Race on the runway in support of Honor Flight Columbus, a nonprofit that provides senior veterans with a day in the nation’s capital to visit the memorials.

CAPES AND CROWNS ADVENTURE • September 17
Join A Kid Again for a charity walk and family fun fest at Huntington Park.

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S • September 24
Join the 1.5 mile charity walk at Columbus Commons in support of the Alzheimer’s Association.

KIDS IN CAPES 5K & FUN RUN • September 30
Join the Callahan Murphy Hare Foundation for their annual Kids in Capes 5K + Fun Run to benefit pediatric cancer awareness and research.

 

Photo courtesy of Furniture Bank Bed Race

October 2023

COLUMBUS BUDDY WALK • October 1
Support the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio while helping to raise funds and celebrate amazing individuals and their families.

FURNITURE BANK BED RACE • October 14
Compete with a team and have fun racing beds to help support the restoration of homes for local families and children in need.

RACE FOR HOPE DERRIERE DASH • October 22
Founded to educate about young onset colorectal cancer and to save young lives.

MAKING STRIDES OF COLUMBUS • October 29
Help make a difference in the lives of those suffering from breast cancer by participating in a walk at Genoa Park.

 

November 2023

HOT CHOCOLATE RUN • November 19
Join “America’s Sweetest Run” in the Arena District to support St. Jude Hospital, and enjoy fondue, dippables, & hot chocolate at the finish line.

FLYING FEATHER FOUR MILER • November 23
The Flying Feather Four Miler returns to the Club at Corazon in Dublin on Thanksgiving Day, featuring a four-mile run and the Kid’s Gobbler Chase.

Did we miss your favorite charitable racing event? Contact us to let us know!