Mile Champion inspires runners at Columbus Marathon for Nationwide Children's Hospital

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Marathon Mile Champion from Gahanna adds her own sparkle to mile seven at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Columbus Marathon.

Thousands of people will take part in the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday. Twenty-four of the 26.2 miles will be dedicated to children treated at the hospital, known as ‘marathon mile champions.’ When runners reach mile seven, it’s all about Hannah Daubenmire from Gahanna.

“I was super excited because, you know, I got diagnosed as a runner. So to see other people run for Nationwide Children's Hospital, it just means a lot to me,” she said.

In 2024, she was at run club when she felt knee pain. Hannah was taken to Nationwide Children’s, thinking it was a sprain, but imaging of her knee revealed something far worse than expected. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer.

“Honestly, the first couple of weeks, I kept thinking somebody was going to call me and tell me it was all a big mistake,” said Hannah’s mother, Julie Daubenmire.

She said they spent almost sixty nights in the hospital, and there were numerous rounds of chemotherapy, but through it all, her daughter stood strong.

“You helped keep everybody's spirits high because you said I'm still going to be a kid and I'm still going to have fun and we're still going to laugh and do all the things that we still like to do,” Julie said to Hannah.

Hannah’s motto through treatment? Never lose your sparkle. That’s sticking with her and serving as the theme for her marathon mile.

“I’m just going to have a bunch of disco balls and pink and yellow stuff,” she said.

Hannah has since rung the bell, signifying that she’s done with treatment. She’s now in physical therapy. Her goal is to get back into running, but in the meantime, she’s picked up new hobbies like sled hockey.

“The hardest part is, I guess, just adapting to what I can’t do and can,” Hannah said.

She’s looking forward to sharing some of her strength with the thousands of marathon runners.

“I just like to stand there and see all the runners just run by and, like, cheer for a lot,” she said.

Funds from the race go towards the work done at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

“We want to do all that we can to help give back and help other kids who are, you know, fighting cancer now and in the future,” Julie said.