HalfRuns
Warm Up Columbus

Warm Up Columbus

Warm Up Columbus offers a flat, fast, and spectator-friendly loop course ideal for winter marathon training.

Race Date

Feb 7, 2027

Location

Dublin, OH

Solid Pick59

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, February 7, 2027
Location
Dublin, Ohio
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 26.2 Miles, 10K, 5K, 13.1 Miles, 0.25 Miles
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
519

Highlights

Good For

BQ RelevantPR Friendly

Atmosphere

Spectator SupportWell SupportedWell Organized

Course

Well Marked

The Experience

The Warm Up Columbus Marathon, first run in 2001, provides a unique winter racing opportunity. Its certified course, designed as a single 1-mile loop, is exceptionally spectator-friendly, allowing friends and family to witness runners multiple times. This configuration also ensures ample support, with fluid and aid stations available every mile.

This event is geared towards runners seeking a fast, flat course, potentially for Boston Marathon qualification or as a tune-up for other races. While the typical field size hovers around 150-200 finishers, drawing participants from about eight states, a dedicated 24% of runners return each year, highlighting its loyal following. The race also offers a variety of other distances, including a 5K, 10K, and half marathon, catering to a range of abilities.

Race-provided description

The Original Warmup Since 2001 ​Welcome to “Warm Up Columbus” Marathon! If you are looking for a great Winter marathon, you’re in the right spot! Whether you are tuning up for Boston or gearing up for the OhioHealth Capital City Half & Quarter Marathon, Warm Up Columbus is your first step towards that goal.​  Our 1 mile loop course offers a very spectator friendly race environment, with 26 fluid/support stations and a restroom at every mile! Other “Warm Up Columbus” events include unique team relays, a 1/2 marathon, 5K and 10K!!   When - Sunday, February 7, 2027. 

7:45am start - FREE 1/4 mile kids race! all registered kiddos receive a teddy bear at the finish!

8:00am start - 5K , 1/2 Marathon, and 1/2 Marathon Relays begin at the 5K/Half Start Line (follow signs

8:03am start - 10K, Marathon, and Marathon Relays begin at the 10K/Full Start Line (follow signs)

What -  Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K, plus Marathon Relay and Half Marathon Relay Where - 655 Metro Place South, Dublin, OH 43017 ​ ​​ Why run Warm up Columbus?!

We have a FREE kids run! All registered kids will receive a medal at the finish!

We boast a unique, flat, fast course all on a 1 mile loop providing the best on-course support ever!!

USATF Certified Course; eligible Boston Qualifier - Certification code OH24004JHP

Fast accurate results with splits

26 fluid/support stations with water and Gatorade

Great post race refreshments

Music on course

Easy spectator viewing

Event shirt

Custom Finishers’ Medal for all participants

Athlete Tracking: Track your athletes, or have your own updates posted to your social media outlet of choice! 

Fleet Feet Pace Team - Need a little help staying on pace? Run alongside our World Famous Pacers covering pacers every 30 seconds from 8:00/mile to 14:00 per mile, AND a walking group!

​ Not up for the full distance? Tackle the Warm Up as a team in the The Warm Up Columbus Marathon Relay!

Teams can consist of 2, 3, 4 or 5 members. Teams regardless of size will be scored together with all other teams.

Distances run by each team member are decided by each team! With the 1-mile loop as the course, just run until you get tired and make the exchange … and then do it again!

​ Cost - Our races typically sell out 2-3 weeks prior to race day. Please note: Warm Up Columbus has a NO REFUND and NO BIB TRANSFER policy for all events.

Through September 30:

​Marathon: $85

Half Marathon: $65

​10K: $50

5K: $35

Relay Member: $35

October 1st through November 30 if event not sold out!

​Marathon:  $100

Half Marathon: $80

10K: $60

5K: $40

Relay Member: $40

December 1st through Race Day if event not sold out!

​Marathon: $115

Half Marathon: $95

​10K: $70

5K: $45

Relay Member: $45 

If you wish to change to a different distance than you signed up for, you must notify Fleet Feet at info@premierraces.com by February 1st.   What do you get? 

Epic 1-mile loop race experience!

Event Shirt

Event Medal

​ Packet Pick Up 

Early packet pickup is available for anyone in the central OH area – at Fleet Feet Sports, 1270 E. Powell Rd, Lewis Center – Thursday thru Saturday of race week. 

Race day packet pickup will beginning at 7am at the race site - inside Doubletree Hotel.

​ Race day reminder - ARRIVE EARLY! There is only one route into the parking lots and traffic backs up after 7:00am. We will NOT delay the start for late arrivals! ​ Marathon must reads, and cut-off time details

Marathon Course Time Limit: Our permit from the city of Dublin limits the marathon race to a finishing time of 1pm. No early start times will be granted.

Full Marathoners must attend pre-race meeting at 7:40am! 

It is up to each participant to keep track of their laps. We recommend all marathoners have a support person to help with this.

The course is measured and certified based on running just to the right of the dividing line between the curb and the black top, as well as following tangents.

1 lap along the measured and certfied course is exactly 1 mile. 

We start the race 0.2 miles from the lap point/finish line so that you will run 0.2 miles for "lap 1", you will then run 26 more laps to get 26.2 miles as measured on the course. Technically you run 26.2 laps, but the timing software will register 27 laps since your first lap is only 0.2 miles.

If you run even 1 shoulder width farther out to the right (which most do inadvertently, you will run at least 1.023 miles per lap, resulting in 26.572 miles, add the 0.2 from the start, and you will end up with 26.72 miles, if not further on your GPS watch.

Do not stop when your watch tells you you have covered 26.2 miles. Stop when you have finished 26.2 laps!

Think LAPS, not miles. Most finishers end up running anywhere from 26.5 miles to 27.3 miles. Running the shortest possible route for 26.2 laps is exceptionally difficult on a mile loop course.

​ Course Map ​

  Results & Photos ​ 2025 - Results   Photos​ 2024 - Results   Photos 2023 -  Results​ 2022 -  Results   Photos  2020 -  Results   Photos  2019 - Results   Photos  2018 - Results   Photos  2017 - Results  2016 - Results   Photos

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, February 7, 2027

Start Time

8:03 AM

Giveaway

Details coming soon!

Start Location

655 Metro Place South, Dublin, OH, 43017

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

-0.09 m

Separation

0.8%

Also Offers

26.2 Miles10K5K13.1 Miles0.25 Miles

USATF Certified Course

OH24003JHP · Warm Up Columbus Half Marathon and 5K

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

Quality Score

Solid Pick59
Methodology
Heritage6/20

3 years running

Size12/15

~211 finishers a year

Momentum1/5

shrinking

Loyalty20/20

24% returning runners

Course & details10/15

USATF certified · 3 timing sources

National draw5/10

runners from 8 states

Front-pack speed3/5

winner 1:16:35

Weather2/10

typical high 40°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

24°

Afternoon (High)

40°

Cool conditions — dress in layers, perfect for fast times

0.1"

Precipitation

12 mph

Wind

72%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 519 finishers actually crossed the line across 3 years.

Most recent

2026

Total finishers

519

Median time

2:03:48

Latest turnout

142

States

16

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:15p50 median ≈ 1:553:50

Turnout by year

2024–2026

'24'25'26
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Warm Up Columbus?

The Warm Up Columbus is held on Sunday, February 7, 2027, starting at 8:03 AM.

Where does the Warm Up Columbus take place?

It takes place in Dublin, Ohio.

What distances does the Warm Up Columbus offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 26.2 Miles, 10K, 5K, 13.1 Miles, 0.25 Miles.

Is the Warm Up Columbus course flat and good for a PR?

The Warm Up Columbus is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the Warm Up Columbus?

HalfRuns has finish records for 519 runners who have completed the Warm Up Columbus.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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