Announcing the First Jesse Owens Jog to Promote Long-Distance Running in the African-American Community
September 17, 2015
The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon, in partnership with the Columbus Urban League and Greater Columbus Sports Commission, will host the first-ever Jesse Owens Jog 2.62 Mile Fun Run & Walk on October 17, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The goal of the Jesse Owens Jog is to provide another opportunity for the African-American community to be more active and strategically address the industry-wide challenge of diversity in long distance running events around the country. The Jesse Owens family has given permission for this event to be named in honor of the Ohio native, Buckeye legend and Olympian, and hopes that his enduring legacy will inspire more individuals and families to participate in this community event.
“We have met with the Columbus Marathon and Greater Columbus Sports Commission for the last three years with the vision and spirit of this event in mind,” said Stephanie Hightower, Columbus Urban League President & CEO and USA Track & Field President & Vice Chair & IAAF Board Member. “We are excited to work with many partners to bring the community together for this cause.”
“We are excited to help people in our community become or stay fit. Additionally, we hope the Jesse Owens Jog will allow our event to become a leader in diversity efforts for marathons and other running and walking events around the country,” said Darris Blackford, Race Director of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.
The course will consist of a start line at the headquarters for the Columbus Urban League in the King-Lincoln District with the finish line being the same exact one used by 19,000 participants the next day for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon the following day. There will be shuttles at both the start line and finish line with free parking for the start line at the Columbus Urban League (corner of Mt. Vernon Ave. and Garfield Ave.) and finish line parking is the lots along Spring St. between Hanover St. and McConnell Rd., all accessible via Nationwide Blvd.
Registration fees are $10 per adult and $5 per child under the age of 12 and can be done in person at the Columbus Urban League (788 Mt. Vernon Ave, Columbus OH 43203) or online at www.sportsincbus.com/jojog. The monies raised from event registration will benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s infant mortality efforts, the Columbus Urban League, along with the Jesse Owens Foundation.