Make the Columbus Marathon Part of Your New Year's Resolution in 2011

If you are looking for making a New Year's resolution, you might want to consider running your first marathon in 2011. This is possible even if you are not currently a runner. The 32^nd Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 16, 2011. This gives you ten full months of training before the big day.

The Nationwide Better Health Marathon has 6,000 spaces for the full marathon and 11,000 for the half-marathon this year. Registration begins on January 1, 2011 with a price of $50 for the half-marathon and $65 for the full marathon until June 30, 2011. After that, the prices will begin to increase. A change for this year is the ability to switch between events or from person-to-person until August 30, 2011 or until the desired event sells out. This will be a welcome change for those who anticipated on doing the full and realize they won't be ready or vice-versa.

The 26.2-mile course is a great one for the first time marathoner. It is relatively flat with only about a 100-foot difference in elevation over the entire course. There will be 21 fluid stations that will offer Gatorade and water. Two energy gel shots stations will be offered on the course as well at about mile seven and mile fifteen.

When registering, you will want to know what you anticipate your overall time as corrals will be used once again this year. The corral you are assigned to will be printed on your bib and you will not be allowed in a corral other than the one you have registered for unless you are running with someone who indicated a slower pace. You will then be able to enter the slower corral.

The course will offer entertainment along the way with about 80 bands and radio stations. Music devices are allowed, but the volume must not be too loud. There is also ample opportunity for friends and family to cheer you on at various places along the course.

Making the commitment to run the Columbus Marathon is a great goal for 2011. You will learn things you didn't know about yourself along the way. Bragging rights will also be yours for a lifetime. Consider not just trying to shed those holiday pounds, but making a goal that will be an opportunity of a lifetime.