Frequently Asked Questions

What time does the race start?

  • 8:30 AM Capital Kids Mascot Chase
  • 9:00 AM Bank of America Capital City Half Marathon
  • 9:10 AM Commit to be Fit 5K

Where is the start / finish area?

The Lifestyle Communities Pavilion
405 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43215

How do I get to the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion?

FROM NORTH
South on I-71 to I-670 West. Exit Neil Avenue, turn left on Neil. Venue is approximately 1/4 mile on Right. OR
South on SR 315 to I-670East. Exit Neil Ave. and go straight off exit on Neil/Vine Connector. Right on Neil Ave.

FROM SOUTH
North on I-71 to SR 315 North. 315 North to Long St. exit. Right on Long St. to Front St. Left on Front St. Left on Nationwide Blvd. Right on Neil Ave.

FROM EAST
West on I-70 to Third Street (Exit 4B). Turn Right on Chestnut Street. Right on High Street. Left on Nationwide Blvd. Right on Neil Avenue. OR
West on I-670 to Neil Avenue Exit. Turn left on Neil Avenue.

FROM WEST
East on I-70 to SR 315 North. 315 North to Long St. exit. Right on Long St. to Front St. Left on Nationwide Blvd. Right on Neil Ave.

My friend did not get a confirmation email – why not?

The email program only sends out one email per email address. If you registered multiple people with one email address you will only receive one confirmation email. You can find additional bib numbers by visiting www.columbusdistanceclassic.com and clicking on the register button on the left and within the confirm registration link.

Can someone pick up my packet for me?

YES! Please give them your confirmation email with your bib # on it and we will be happy to give them your packet.

Can I change race distances?

No problem! Just let us know at Packet pickup and we will get it all straightened out.

What if I registered in the walking division but now realize I would like to do a combination of walking and running?

No Problem!!! When you pick up your packet please go to the information desk and give them your bib number. We will make the change right then and there!! No worries!

Can I register on race weekend?

Online registration will close April 9, 2008 at midnight or once the cap of 5,000 participants has been hit. In-person registration will take place at Packet Pickup on Friday April 11th from 11am–8pm. There will be NO Race Day registration.

My name is spelled wrong, age is wrong, etc.

No problem! Just let us know at packet pickup and we will update the database.

Can I use my own ChampionChip?

YES! Please bring your chip with you to packet pickup and we will put your information into the database.

Where do I park on race day?

Ample parking for the Capital City Half Marathon and Commit To Be Fit 5K is available in several lots in the Columbus Arena District, within minutes walking distance of the start/finish line at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion at 405 Neil Ave. (prices vary according to lot). The largest parking lot (and closest to the LC Pavilion), is located just west of Nationwide Arena on Nationwide Blvd. See Parking Map (PDF, 240 KB).

NOTE: Due to the race-day closing of Neil Avenue south of Vine/Goodale Streets, exiting from I-670, you will be directed east on Vine Street.
NOTE: Nationwide Blvd. will close from 8:00–9:00am for the Capital Kids Mascot Chase.

FROM NORTH
South on I-71, Exit 109A (I-670 Airport/Dayton) stay right and follow signs to I-670 West/Dayton. Exit 3 (Neil Ave./Goodale St.) Left at 1st light (Neil Ave.) Go .1 of a mile on Neil and Left/East at Vine St. Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

OR

South on 315, Take 670 East, (Neil Avenue/Airport), stay in right lane and take Neil Avenue Exit. Move into 2nd lane from left and proceed through Neil Ave. traffic light onto Vine St. Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

FROM SOUTH
North on I-71, (I-71 North and I-70 East merge west of downtown), stay in middle lane, Exit 101A (I-71 North), merge left and Exit 109A (I-670 West) to the left. Exit 3 (Neil Ave./Goodale St.) Left at 1st light (Neil Ave.) Go .1 of a mile on Neil and Left/East at Vine St. Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

FROM EAST
West on I-70, Exit 101A (I-71 North), merge left and Exit 109A (I-670 West) to the left. Exit 3 (Neil Ave./Goodale St.) Left at 1st light (Neil Ave.) Go .1 of a mile on Neil and Left/East at Vine St. Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

OR

West on I-670, Exit 3 (Neil Ave./Goodale St.) Left at 1st light (Neil Ave.) Go .1 of a mile on Neil and Left/East at Vine St. Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

FROM WEST
East on I-70, Take 670 East, Exit 3 (Neil Ave.) Right at 1st light (Neil Ave.) Go one block and left at next light (Vine St.) Take Vine St. (.3 of a mile), Right/South on Front St. (.2 of a mile), Right/West on Nationwide Blvd. (.2 of a mile), Right into parking lot.

You can also access this parking lot via Long Street. Go Left/North on Neil, Right/East on Nationwide Blvd. Left into parking lot.

PLEASE NOTE: Nationwide Blvd. will close from 8:00–9:00am for the Capital Kids Mascot Chase.

Where, on course, can my friends / family watch me?

Your family will be able to see you at the Start, at approx Mile 6, and at the Finish. To get from the Start/Finish to Mile 6, they will need to walk about 2 blocks east on Nationwide Blvd. Participants will be heading north from downtown Columbus toward the Ohio State University campus, along High Street.

Is there a place to hold my stuff while I am running? How late is it open?

Yes, there will be a secure gear check area at the LC Pavilion. In your race packet there is a sticker with your bib # on it. Please put that on the goody bag to identify your bag. Gear check will remain open until 1:30pm.

Will there be any food / drinks after the event?

Yes, there will be bottles of Aquafina water and bottles of Gatorade for every finisher. In addition, there will be Panera Bagels, Donatos Pizza, Michelob Ultra and fruit.

Will there be water / Gatorade on course? How often?

There will be water and Gatorade at the following locations on course: mile 1.5, 2.5, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11. There will also be Carb-BOOM energy gel at mile 9.

How late is the course open?

The half marathon course is open for four hours (until 1:00pm). Runners will be asked to maintain an 18:19 minute mile to meet the four hour course requirement. The 5K course will remain open for 90 minutes. Anyone who cannot finish within those times must move to the sidewalk as the course closes to allow regular vehicular traffic.

Are there port-o-potties on the course?

Port-o-potties will be at most of the aid stations.

What happens if it rains?

We get wet! The event will occur rain or shine, although it may be delayed or cancelled due to thunder/lightning.

Can I use a baby jogger? Run with my dog?

Pets, skateboards, bicycles, roller blades, or any other type of vehicle (other than official vehicles) are not allowed on the race course. Baby strollers are permitted in the 5K, provided you start at the rear of the pack.

Can I wear headphones / use my iPod?

We allow responsible use of iPods and other similar devices on the race course. If those using the iPods or head sets are doing so in a way that is reasonable and using common sense there should be no problems. Obviously, runners and walkers need to listen to announcements at the start of the event and be able to hear race, city and other officials during the event.

Do I have to wear my race bib?

All registered participants will receive a bib number that must be worn on race day. The bib must be visible and worn on the front outside of all clothing during the entire race. Please do not alter the bib in any way.

I have a friend who would like to volunteer, can he help?

YES! We always need an extra set of hands! Please send an email to Krista at kristaninefive@yahoo.com to be assigned a position.

I won't be able to participate; can I still pick up my t-shirt?

YES! You may stop by and pick up your Bib Number and T-shirt. We will not be mailing out T-shirts.

I won't be able to participate, can I transfer my registration to another event?

YES! John Bingham Racing organizes five events and may add more in the future. Go to www.johnbinghamracing.com for more details on the various events. Please send an email with your request to dbabner@johnbingham.com after April 13, 2008.

I have a registration / packet pick-up question not answered above.

For all additional registration / packet pick-up questions, please email Beth Salinger at beth@endurance-marketing.com.

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