TRAIN.
RACE.
EXPLORE.
April 21, 2026
RACE WEEK IS HERE
Hey MIT,
It's hard to believe that race week is here. I’ve watched you show up for this, week after week, mile after mile. Early, snowy mornings, rainy long runs, the days where it clicked and the days where it didn’t… and you came back anyway. That’s what got you here.
This weekend isn’t a test of your fitness. It’s a celebration of your commitment, and everything you've done over the last 4 months.
I said it at Run Columbus Run a couple weeks ago, but I want you to remember this core truth: This was never about a finish time. Not in my mind. It’s about every single moment you chose to keep going when it would’ve been easier not to.
I’ve been in your shoes many times. I know the nerves are REAL, the doubts are loud, and the quiet questions in your head. I am here to tell you a chest-thumping YES. You are so much more ready than you think.
So don’t run with pressure. Run with pride.
When it gets hard, come back to your why. Come back to all the versions of you that showed up to get here. And let them carry you forward.
I am so, so proud of you. It’s been an honor to be part of your journey.
Now go take your victory lap.
********
IMPORTANT DETAILS INSIDE!
🟡 Cap City Race Week/Day Logistics. Scroll to find this week's agenda.
🟡 Medal Monday Party – April 27th at 6pm at Combustion Brewing. Wear your medal and bring your Run Columbus Run poster to get it stamped with your finish time! Details below.
Happy Running, Walking, Moving & Shaking,
Coach Hannah
RACE WEEK
GRIT, PACKET PICKUP, SHAKEOUTS, & RACE DAY!
Wednesday, 4/22: LAST GRIT
WHEN
Wednesday, April 22 @ 6:30pm
LOCATION
Columbus Metropolitan Library: Whetstone Library
3909 N High St, Columbus, OH 43214
WORKOUT DETAILS
3ish mile shakeout run with strides
Thursday, 4/23: EXPO & PACE TEAM SHAKEOUT
EXPO DAY 1:
Thursday, April 23 - 11am-7pm
95 Liberty St, Columbus, OH 43215
SHAKEOUT FROM EXPO:
Thursday, April 23 - 5:30pm
Join us, On, and Shokz for a shakeout run with the Fleet Feet Pace Team
Friday, 4/24: EXPO
EXPO DAY 2:
Friday, April 23 - 11am-7pm
95 Liberty St, Columbus, OH 43215
RACE DAY LOGISTICS
TIMELINE:
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6:00 am - Fleet Feet tent opens on the east side of Columbus Commons (map below), and MIT Gathering Spot is in RUN CREW VILLAGE! Look for our tents, YOU CAN DROP YOUR GEAR HERE!
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6:20 am - Park your car no later than this. Earlier is better. Check the website for parking options - the Commons underground garage is usually easier to get out of than Rich Street!
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6:50 am - The latest we recommend arriving to the commons. You will want to get your bearings, warm up, and find your friends!
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7:20 am - MIT photo at the 13.1 - Time for your final porta-potty visit!
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7:24 am - PACE TEAM LINES UP from west to east (MIT'ers will join at their desired pace)
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7:40 am - Get into your corrals
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8:00am - Race starts!
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AFTER Race - Have fun, and stick around to watch your fellow MITers finish!
Final Preparation
Fit For Life Physical Therapy
We are so proud of you! Fit For Life Physical Therapy is proud of the work that you have done to get to the starting line for your half or full marathon!
As you make final preparations for race day, we've compiled some helpful articles to help you mentally prepare visualize success for race day. Good luck!
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
MEDAL MONDAY PARTY
JOIN US FOR A POST-SEASON CELEBRATION AT COMBUSTION BREWERY!
Join
Join us the Monday AFTER Cap City for a post-season celebration with MIT! We've rented Combustion Brewery in Clintonville for this private event. Enjoy free drinks, snacks, vibes, and more!
📅 WHEN?
Monday, April 27th @ 6:00 PM
📍 WHERE?
Combustion Brewery & Taproom - CLINTONVILLE
2971 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
🔥 WHAT TO EXPECT?
✅ 1 Free Bev
✅ MUSIC BINGO!
✅ Medal Ceremony and Toasting
✅ CELEBRATION!
🚗 PARKING:
Parking is limited at Combustion, so please arrive early and carpool where you can! High Street offers free street parking.
TEAM HEART AND SOLE
SEEKING TEAMMATES FOR 2026!
Team Heart and Sole is embarking on our 16th season in Central Ohio and we are on the lookout for new Teammates!
MIT has been a great source of Teammates and we would love to add more experienced runners to our roster. Chances are someone in your pace group has run with Team Heart and Sole.
Our mission is to provide inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities (Champions), their families and friends, to participate in endurance racing events across Central Ohio, while building authentic relationships through teamwork.
Team Heart and Sole on an annual basis, participates in about 9 to 12 running events (including one sprint triathlon).
Usually two or more Teammates assist our Champions by pushing them in a running chair, or by running or walking alongside them during the course of a race. We always pair up new Teammates with experienced Teammates.
MIT member Joe Saverimuttu gives his testimonial running in races with Team Heart and Sole as a Teammate:
"I had seen adaptive wheelchair push races before and felt inspired, but I often wondered whether the volunteers were doing it for themselves—the attention, the experience—or truly for the Champions. From my very first race with THAS, I saw it done the right way: the Champions come first. Their dignity, joy, and experience are the mission, and every race is designed to elevate them. I’ve been impressed by that from day one and have loved every run since."
If you have questions about Team Heart and Sole or want to participate, feel free to click below and fellow MITer Randy Boring (randolph.boring@gmail.com) will set you up with a Teammate application. There is no entry fee to join us!
Here is our race schedule:
Saturday, April 4, 9:10am, Franklinton 5k - Genoa Park
Thursday, May 21, 7:00pm, 2FGR Run for Inclusion 5K Run & 3K Walk - Dublin
Sunday, June 7, 8:00am, Columbus 10k - North Bank Park
Saturday, July 4, 8:00am, Independence Day 5K - Westerville
Saturday, July 25, 8:05am, Candy Run 5K - Glacier Ridge Metro Park
Saturday, August 8, 7:20am, CBus Triathlon & Multisports Festival - Deer Creek State Park
Monday, September 7, 8:30am, Worthington Kilbourne 5k - Worthington Hills
Saturday, October 10, 9:00am, Cancer Care 5K and 2 Mile Walk - Lancaster
Saturday, October 24, 9:00am, Great Pumpkin Run 5K
Hi MIT!
Thanks to all who donated to Lisa Alexander, Beth Dudley & Laura Wartel's gear swap Pelotonia fundraiser!
THE NEXT GEAR SWAP FUNDRAISER WILL BE ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 3RD AT THE BIG RUN!
We're recommending a minimum donation of $5 per item and we'll be happy to accept cash or venmo. We'll provide venmo information at the table with the gear! On June 3rd, we will be setup for "shopping" before and after the run. Browse while drinking your post-Run Columbus Run beverage!
It's a great cause and a great way to get some new-to-you stuff and weed out what you don't want anymore.
Catch Laura, Beth, or Lisa at any workouts this week to ask questions!!
PELOTONIA FUNDRAISER!
HELP THESE MIT'ERS RAISE FUNDS TO KICK CANCER!
