Marathoner in Training (MIT)

MIT 2025 MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS & DATES:

MIT Annual Membership (Beginner & Intermediate Training Program) - January 10th - October 18th, 2026
Winter/Spring Training Season - January 10th - April 26, 2026
Summer/Fall Training Season - June 20th - October 18th, 2026

WEEKLY WORKOUTS:
Saturdays - LONG RUNS
Wednesday - GRIT WORKOUTS (Track, Hills, & Interval Work)

Description:
Group half & full marathon training program for Cap City Half Marathon and Glass City Marathon (Winter/Spring) Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Half & Full Marathon (Summer/Fall).

Run Locations:
Varying workout locations centrally located in Columbus, OH (Downtown, Clintonville, Upper Arlington) and surrounding suburbs (Worthington, Lewis Center, Westerville, Gahanna, etc.)

Overview:
Half & Full Marathon training is challenging, but Fleet Feet Columbus’s MIT (Marathoner-in-Training) will provide you the support, community, and accountability you need to reach the finish line.

In 2025, MIT trained over 700 runners and walkers for their Spring and Fall races, and we are so excited to support our next cohort of athletes in 2026.

As Columbus’s premier group training program, MIT has helped tens of thousands of runners and walkers successfully complete their goals. Whether you’re new to this whole running thing or an experienced marathoner, our program provides training programs to meet you where you’re at.

At MIT, you’ll never have to go it alone. Your pace group coaches and fellow participants will motivate, inspire, and empower you to become a version of yourself that can accomplish anything you set your mind to. 

Your MIT training program is led by experienced coaches and mentors who have years of proven racing and coaching success.

Program Benefits:

• Pre-Season Guide to help prepare you for the training season. 
  
  
• 18-week training plan* with 3 different experience level options (Beginner, Intermediate, and Experienced)
  
  
• Weekly educational & motivational newsletters with content curated by our team of coaches and top-tier medical professionals
  
  
• 2 in-person group training runs per week
  
  
  • Saturday Long Runs - Saturday morning at 8:00am led by pace groups for sub 8:00 to 12:00 pace/per mile run, 11:30-14:00 pace/per mile run/walk, or 15:00-17:00 pace/per mile WALK.
    
    
  • GRIT Workouts (Wednesdays). These in-person, coach-led workouts focus on building grit, speed, and strength. Workout types include track workouts, hill repeats, interval runs, etc.
    
    
• Hydration support at group workouts (Water & Gatorade Endurance)
  
  
• Exclusive discounts on Fleet Feet Races & M3S Races
  
  
• Race Day Perks
  
  
• Fit For Life Physical Therapy Injury Hotline, 48-Hour Care Guarantee
  
  
• Mid-season social events and volunteer opportunities
  
  
• 10% off at all Fleet Feet Columbus Retail Store Locations

*Training plan adjustments for other Spring and Fall Marathons are available by request. Email hannah@fleetfeetcolumbus.com. 

MIT SWAG
Seasonal Members will receive a training tech shirt.*
Annual members will receive a trainng tech shirt*and a cozy MIT sweatshirt.

*Racing singlets available for purchase.

*Please note that if you signed up after January 1st, 2026, SWAG might not be available in your size. We cannot guarantee swag after kickoff on January 10th. If you'd like to opt to not receive SWAG, please email traininggroups@fleetfeetcolumbus.com to receive a discount code.

WINTER/SPRING DATES
Saturday, January 10th: MIT KICKOFF with NEW Balance!
Wednesday, January 14th: First Group GRIT Workout
Saturday, April 11th: RUN COLUMBUS RUN Community 12 Miler
Saturday, April 25th: SPRING GOAL RACE - Cap City Half Marathon

FALL DATES
Saturday, June 20th: TogetherFest presented by New Balance: MIT KICKOFF!
Wednesday, June 24th: First Group GRIT Track Workout
Saturday, September 12th: RUN COLUMBUS RUN Community 10 & 20 Miler
Saturday, October 17th: MIT SHAKEOUT RUN
Sunday, October 18th: Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Half & Full Marathon

2026 KICK OFF IS ON JANUARY 10th! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The Marathoner in Training (MIT) brings an exciting race distance to Lewis Center, Ohio on January 10, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!