ODI partners with the Jesse Owens Jog
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is partnering with the Jesse Owens Jog, a 2.62-mile fun run & walk, held in partnership by the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon, the Columbus Urban League, and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, which focuses on African-American health and wellness.
Now in its fifth year, the Jesse Owens Jog pays tribute to an Ohio native who ran for and graduated from The Ohio State University and won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics. The Jesse Owens Jog was started in 2015 after two years of focus groups with current African-American runners and walkers. Those focus groups were held the day before the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & ½ Marathon. The Columbus Marathon, in partnership with the Columbus Urban League and Greater Columbus Sports Commission, held the first Jesse Owens Jog in 2015 with more than 200 participants. In 2016, the National Black Marathoners Association hosted their annual meeting in Columbus, and that led to close to 500 participants last year.
Event | As part of Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Weekend, the 5th annual Jesse Owens Jog will take place on Saturday, October 19, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. at North Bank Park in downtown Columbus.
The Jesse Owens Jog will utilize the same start and finish line for 18,000 participants in the half and full marathon the next day. There will be a post-race celebration in the large VIP tent adjacent to the finish line in North Bank Park.
Course | In 2018, the Jesse Owens Jog featured a brand new all-Downtown course utilizing the Columbus Marathon's combined start and finish line at North Bank Park. Parking is provided behind the Columbus Clippers' Huntington Park (330 W. Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, OH 43215) for a short walk to the start line
Registration | You can register yourself, family and friends for the Jesse Owens Jog at jesseowensjog.com. This community event remains one of the least expensive long distance run/walks in the city, with registration just $20 for adults and $10 for children under the age of 12.
Shirts & Medals | Jesse Owens Jog participants will receive a Nike Dri-Fit long-sleeve event shirt and medal at the post-race celebration, where food and hydration options will also be provided.
Beneficiaries | Monies raised benefiting the Jesse Owens Foundation, Nationwide Children's Hospital's infant mortality efforts, the Columbus Urban League and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Partners | The Jesse Owens Jog is supported by community partners in the Columbus Urban League, Greater Columbus Sports Commission, Columbus Recreation & Parks Department, The Ohio State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Black Girls Run and Black Men Run.
The Jesse Owens Jog is supported by corporate partners in USA Track & Field, Nike, Dick's Sporting Goods, G&J Pepsi and by its media partners in WBNS-10TV “Commit to be Fit” and Run OHIO.
Photo of Jesse Owens statue by patentboy on Trendhype / CC BY-NC-ND