TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
October 14, 2025
THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
Happy Race Week, MIT!
Everything you need to know about race week including our shakeout runs, private gear check, and run-of-show is below. But first, a quick chat. :)
Sunday is the day we’ve been working toward, and I couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you. As you stand at the start line, take a moment to reflect on the journey that brought you here. You’ve put in countless hours of training, pushed through challenges, and shown incredible dedication. This is your moment to shine!
Whether you’re running or walking, remember that every step you’ve taken has led you to this point. Each early morning, every late-night workout, and those days when you just didn’t feel like it, those are the moments that built your strength and determination. You’ve shown up for yourselves and for each other, and that’s something to celebrate.
As you begin this race, I want you to focus on a few key things:
-
Embrace the Journey: This isn’t just about crossing the finish line. It’s about the entire experience, the excitement, the energy, and the camaraderie. Enjoy every moment!
-
Listen to Your Body: You’ve trained hard, and you know what you’re capable of. Trust your body, and don’t hesitate to adjust your pace if you need to. That means dropping to long run pace in the middle of your race if you need to. That means walking for a couple of minutes until you're ready! Remember, it’s about finishing feeling great.
-
Stay Positive: Your mindset is powerful. Whenever doubts creep in, replace them with thoughts of how far you’ve come. You are strong, capable, and ready for this! Write two or three mantras on your arm. Or talk to Karis about her Mantra Miles bracelets!
-
Celebrate Each Mile: Break the race down into manageable segments. Celebrate each chunk -- I like to go by 5k, and take the time to appreciate the effort that got you there.
-
Lean on Each Other: Look around you, this is your community! Share smiles, words of encouragement, and support one another. You’re in this together!
As you approach the finish line, remember that every step is a testament to your hard work and determination. Embrace the challenge, and know that crossing that line is just the icing on the cake.
Let’s go out there and make this race a celebration of everything you’ve accomplished. I believe in you, and I can’t wait to see you cross that finish line.
A few house keeping items:
-
2026 ANNAUL MEMBERSHIP IS NOW LIVE. Use code EARLYBIRD2026 for $30 off your 2026 ANNUAL membership. The early bird code is only good until October 31st! SIGN UP HERE!
-
READ BELOW FOR RACE WEEK RUN-OF-SHOW!
-
Mark your calendars for Monday, November 10th from 6-9pm for our MIT YEAR END PARTY WITH NEW BALANCE!
See you out there!
Hannah
.jpg)
Race Week Schedule with MIT
Race Week Events at a Glance
Wednesday 10/15: Pre-Race Toast w/Coach Hannah
Details:
No formal Grit Workout tomorrow night! Meet Coach Hannah at Combustion Brewing Clintonville at 6:30pm for a pre-race toast and any last-minute advice/questions.
Friday 10/17: Packet Pickup & Expo Day 1
Details:
⏱️ 12pm-7pm
📍Greater Columbus Convention Center
💵 Fleet Feet Mystery Bucks with Every Purchase
🎙️Podcast Schedule:
-
Weathering the Run with Andrew Buck Michael: 1pm
-
Columbus Marathon with Race Director, Darris Blackford: 3pm
-
Black Men Run: Health is Wealth with Malik Willoughby: 5pm
Saturday 10/18: MIT x New Balance Shakeout Run (NEW LOCATION!)
Details:
Join us for a 2.5 mile shakeout run with New Balance! We will run from Goodale and High to the start/finish area, highlight the corral entrance area, the half/full split, and a few other key landmarks! Join us at the New Balance Booth in the Expo afterwards for coffee and treats! All participants will also get $$ to spend at the Expo!
⏱️ 8am
📍Corner of Goodale and High (Outside the Convention Center)
👟 Short Shakeout Run Mile Run (Here's the Route)
🍩 Post-run treats (yay, carbs)
💵 Fleet Feet Bucks to spend at the expo
Saturday 10/18: Packet Pickup & Expo Day 2
Details:
⏱️ 9am-6pm
📍Greater Columbus Convention Center
💵 Fleet Feet Mystery Bucks with Every Purchase
🎙️Podcast Schedule:
-
Black Girls Run with Cheralee Calhoun: 11am
-
German Village Run Club with Craig Kent: 1pm
-
Miles for Justice with Stretch Murphy: 3pm
Sunday, 10/19: Race Day Logistics
📍MEETUP LOCATION:
Hyatt Regency Hotel Downtown
52-36 E Nationwide Blvd
Columbus, OH 43215
Taft Room C/D (Enter from the South, Walk up the stairs, and our room is straight back a to the left. Follow signs!)
🚗 PARKING INFO:
⏱️ SCHEDULE INFO:
5:15am-6:00am - ARRIVAL
Give yourself plenty of time to get your gear check bag ready (instructions below), stretch, potty, and visit the New Balance Race Day SPIRIT Table!
6:20am - Picture & Peptalk
We will gather on the grand entrance stairs like last year. After our team photo, Coach Hannah will give a final pep talk.
6:30 am - Walk to Start Line
MIT will make our way to the start line as one team, dropping any gear at the DESIGNATED MIT GEAR CHECK SPOT at the Fleet Feet tents in Celebration Village before finding your assigned corral.
7:30am - RACE START!!
TIME TO FLY, BABY!
POST-RACE:
After crossing the finish line, find your gear at the Fleet Feet Tents in Celebration village, and bask in all of the post-race feels!
MAKE SURE TO WEAR YOUR MIT RACE GEAR!!! :)
GEAR CHECK
Info & Instructions
We will have designated MIT Gear Check on race morning! Because there are many of you, we need you to abide by these rules to make everything run smoothly.
1. ALL of your gear MUST fit into one bag (gym bag, backpack, drawstrings OK). No loose articles of clothing, shoes, etc. All of your things MUST be contained within your bag.
2. Do NOT leave any valuables in your gear check bag. If you do, you do so at your own risk. While our MIT Gear check will be monitored by volunteers throughout the morning, there will be thousands of people coming through Celebration Village. THUS, we are NOT responsible for any lost or stolen items.
3. Your bag must be clearly marked with Duct Tape, Your Full Name, and Bib Number. We will have both at the meetup at the Hyatt, but we advise that you take care of it at home to streamline your race morning tasks. ;)
4. Your labeled gear bag must be dropped at the Fleet Feet Tent in Celebration Village. Don't throw your bag into a random tent or on a random tree!
5. Be patient and kind to our volunteers before and after your race. Tie a little ribbon to your bag to distinguish it from others -- that will make it easier to find!
See you Sunday morning!
RACE WEEK PREP
with Fit For Life Physical Therapy
Good luck with your last week(s) of training. We are proud of you already! Please have a great race, enjoy your day in the sun, and trust your training. Read below for a few last minute notes from our friends and clinicians.
Fit For Life Physical Therapy are proud to be the Official MIT and Fleet Feet Columbus Medicine Partners. We care for people of all activity levels — to help prevent, recover from, or rehabilitate athletic injuries.
Michael Sean Huffman MS, ATC, PT
Fit For Life Physical Therapy
MIT Medical Resources Coach
