Wear your blue and white and be sure to hit the Bobcats for Batten Mile from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. this Sunday, October 16! Parking and cheer station maps, marathon information, and Layla Graham’s story are available below.

Grandview Heights Schools invites residents to join them at the Grandview Yard to honor and support Patient Champion Layla Graham during the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon & 1/2 Marathon.

“We are so honored to have Layla Graham, a Stevenson Elementary student and Grandview Heights resident, representing Nationwide Children's Hospital on Mile 22 at the Grandview Yard,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Jamie Lusher. “We are really hoping that the community can rally around this mile and help raise awareness about Batten Disease and the need for more research.”

Layla and her family live in the Grandview Yard as well as other children with Batten Disease. The district is encouraging the Grandview Heights and Marble Cliff communities to rally around this cause and show their support for Layla and other children fighting Batten Disease.

“The Grandview Yard Mile 22 has been selected by the Columbus Marathon as an “amped up zone” and we need as many Bobcats as possible to pack Mile 22 on the marathon course,” added Superintendent Andy Culp.  “We would like to utilize this special spot for community members and local businesses to come celebrate and support our wonderful students.”

10TV WBNS is sponsoring the mile and hosting a tailgate. There are also opportunities for students, sports teams, and clubs to volunteer at a water station or be a part of the cheer zone to encourage the runners.

Patient Champions, who are current or former patients of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, are selected by a committee of hospital staff based on various criteria including diversity of diagnosis, age, and enthusiasm to cheer on race participants at their mile.

There are 24 individual patients who line each mile of the course, one Angel Mile to honor those who have already run their race, and one Encore Mile where we recognize every patient who has lined the course since 2012. Together, they represent the more than 1 million patient visits to Nationwide Children’s Hospital every year.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday to support Layla, more research, and a cure for Batten Disease.