Run. Eat. Connect.
Columbus Marathon Week brings runners from across Central Ohio—and well beyond—together for one of the biggest running weekends of the year. This October, we’re creating another opportunity to gather before race day.
On Thursday, October 15, from 5–7 p.m., Piada Italian Street Food, RUNColumbus Race Series, Latino Run Club Columbus, CPD Run Club, and the Nationwide Children’s Run & Walk Club will come together at Piada Bexley, 2585 E. Main Street, for Community & Carbs for Champions.
And everyone is invited.
Run. Eat. Or Do Both.
The evening is intentionally simple.
Join us for a relaxed 2-mile shakeout run at 5:30 p.m. All paces are welcome. Not running? No problem.
Come to Piada to carb-load, connect with runners and walkers from across the community, enjoy the evening, and stick around for giveaways beginning at 6:30 p.m.
You don’t have to be running the marathon. You don’t have to belong to a run club. You don’t even have to run that night.
Run only. Eat only. Or do both.
The goal is simply to bring people together.
One Community Before Race Weekend
Marathon Week can be busy. There are training runs, expos, meetups, packet pickup, travel plans, and plenty of nervous energy as race day approaches.
Community & Carbs for Champions gives us a chance to slow things down for an evening.
Different clubs. Different paces. Different goals. One running community.
Piada Bexley also sits directly along the Columbus Marathon course near Mile 5, making it an especially fitting place to gather just days before thousands of runners make their way through the same neighborhood.
More Than a Shakeout Run
There is also a meaningful purpose behind the evening.
A portion of Piada sales will benefit Nationwide Children’s Hospital in honor of the Marathon Mile Champions, the children whose stories and courage are woven throughout Columbus Marathon weekend.
In 2025, Community & Carbs for Champions generated a $1,000 donation to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in their honor.
This year, we hope the Columbus running community can come together again and build on that impact.
Those who can’t attend the Bexley gathering will also have an opportunity to participate through Piada’s Columbus-area and online promotion during Marathon Week, with additional details coming soon.
Save the Date
Community & Carbs for Champions
Thursday, October 15, 2026
5–7 p.m.
Piada Bexley | 2585 E. Main Street
2-Mile Shakeout Run: 5:30 p.m.
Giveaways: 6:30 p.m.
All paces. All people. All welcome.
Come run. Come eat. Come connect.
Marathon Week is about more than one starting line.
Let’s RUNColumbus TOGETHER.