Choo Choo 9 Miler and 5K

All 9 Miler and 5K registrants will receive a referral link/code via email when they register. Send this to your network of family, friends, running buddies, etc. If 5 people use your link to register, you will have $20 of your paid registration fee returned to the credit card used to sign up for the event!

Share and save!

For questions about how to get your referral link if you missed it initially, click here.

Why 9 Miles? And Why the Choo Choo?

The Choo Choo 9 Miler & 5k pay tribute to one of the legends of central Ohio, the late Silas B. Rutherford.  For the full story of why we cover 9 miles, please be sure to read up on the legend of the great Silas here.  

All 9 Miler, 5K, and Kids Run finishers will receive a sweet Choo Choo finisher medal. 

Course details

You can view our 2024 courses by clicking here.

Need to switch your event after you've registered?

You can do that! Whether you want to jump up or down in distance, it's important for both safety and awards purposes to be sure you're registered for the proper event you'll do on race day. Simply follow the instructions here and you'll be all set! Please note: this event transfer service is available through 11:59p on April 6.

Early Packet Pickup

Race packets may be picked up early at Columbus Running Company's Westerville location (50 North State St) on Thursday, April 4 (10a-8p), Friday, April 5 (10a-8p), and Saturday, April 6 (10a-6p). Participants may also pick up their packets at the race beginning at 7:30a on April 7.

Parking

There is ample parking near Genoa Park in downtown Columbus - at COSI, across the river in multiple garages, all within a 1/2-mile walk. And remember, if you can find an open one... parking meters are free on Sundays in downtown Columbus. 

Race Day Registration

There is no race day registration and there will be no waitlist. Race day packet pickup is available for those who cannot make the early packet pickup and will begin near the start line on the lower amphitheater at 7:30a.

Awards

Each of the 9-Mile and 5K races will be chip timed, and finishers in all events will receive an awesome medal to honor their accomplishment. Top finishers and age group winners in the 9 Miler and 5K events will receive special awards and recognition.

Create a Team

Have fun with a group and participate as a team. Each team member must individually pre-register under their team name. The first person signing up for a team will create the team during the registration process and all others signing up for that team will select their team name during their registration. For help with team registration and/or creation, please view the help topic by clicking here.

Participant Guidelines

Running with a stroller is absolutely fine. At the race start, please line up at the back of the pack for safety reasons. Running with dogs is prohibited: as is bicycling, inline skating, scooters, hoverboards, etc. Walking and running only in this event. 

What time does the course close?

The course will remain open for all events for 3 hours. Most notably, this means that participants in the 9-mile event must maintain a 20:00/mile pace.