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From Aaron to Zumstein Drive, Columbus runner completes city marathon, one block at a time

jack wolf, columbus dispatch
·3 min read

The corner of Columbus Street and Ohio Avenue hosted a unique celebration on Saturday morning as Doug Owsley, accompanied by a dozen running enthusiasts, celebrated the completion of a running accomplishment years in the making.

Over the course of an almost three-year project, Owsley, 53, covered more than 7,392 miles, amounting to 10,947 city streets. His accomplishment was tracked meticulously through the City Strides project — a global initiative that challenges runners to cover every street in their cities.

Doug Owsley, center in orange vest, has become the first person to run on every street in Columbus, according to documentation from the City Strides app. He finished on the last of 10,947 streets at the intersection of Columbus and Ohio streets over the weekend surrounded by friends. Pursuit of this goal has taken him three years to accomplish.
Doug Owsley, center in orange vest, has become the first person to run on every street in Columbus, according to documentation from the City Strides app. He finished on the last of 10,947 streets at the intersection of Columbus and Ohio streets over the weekend surrounded by friends. Pursuit of this goal has taken him three years to accomplish.

Owsley, formerly an avid cyclist, took up running more seriously about 14 years ago when his second child was born. He found that running offered a quicker and more flexible form of exercise than cycling, which could take him away from home for longer stretches.

"The reason I'm still married," Owsley joked, "is knowing I could not leave the house for four hours in the middle of the day with a new baby."

His routine often began before sunrise, feeding his daughter, Caroline, then heading out to run in the dark. Over time, his early morning runs evolved into a broader, more ambitious project.

Owsley's journey through every corner of Columbus started in a rather unassuming manner. He initially joined a run club and through social connections, learned about City Strides. The site not only tracks each street a runner covers but also fosters a community of runners who share similar goals.

Doug Owsley's City Strides map, highlighted in purple, showcases the entirety of Columbus, marking the completion of his ambitious project to run every street in the city. This visual testament to his journey covers over 7,392 miles across 10,947 streets.
Doug Owsley's City Strides map, highlighted in purple, showcases the entirety of Columbus, marking the completion of his ambitious project to run every street in the city. This visual testament to his journey covers over 7,392 miles across 10,947 streets.

"It started with my own neighborhood, Grandview Heights, and just expanded from there," he explained. "Eventually, I thought, why not try running all of Columbus?"

"It was just a typical Doug adventure," his wife, Andrea Owsley, added.

Doug, who had participated in multiple 100-mile ultramarathons, wanted a new kind of running adventure that allowed for daily flexibility and proximity to home.

Each morning, regardless of weather — be it the stifling humidity of summer or the biting cold of winter — he set out before dawn, charting courses through quiet neighborhoods and bustling Downtown streets.

The physical rigor was matched by logistical challenges, as he carefully planned each route to maximize safety and efficiency, turning what began as a personal fitness goal into a deeper exploration of the Columbus metro makeup.

Despite these hurdles, Owsley found the experience deeply rewarding, offering him an intimate view of the city's diverse communities and hidden landscapes.

"When you're running a new street every day, you see all kinds of things you wouldn't expect to see. It's really amazing." Owsley said.

The City Strides project also led Owsley, known by his username "Rancidgoat," to form unexpected social connections.

"I've met all kinds of people," Owsley shared. "From other runners joining me on parts of my journey to residents curious about what I was doing running through their neighborhood in neon spandex at dawn."

Owsley's journey culminated symbolically at the intersection of Columbus Street and Ohio Avenue.

Owsley smiles triumphantly in a selfie under the street signs for Columbus and Ohio, marking the final stop of his monumental journey to run every street in Columbus, Ohio.
Owsley smiles triumphantly in a selfie under the street signs for Columbus and Ohio, marking the final stop of his monumental journey to run every street in Columbus, Ohio.

"I specifically left that section of the city to the end," he revealed. "I wanted my final run to finish there, at the heart of the city, at the intersection that bears its name."

Owsley acknowledged the mix of emotions felt following the completion of his multi-year challenge.

"There's a bit of a letdown because the adventure is over, but also a tremendous sense of accomplishment," he remarked.

Following Doug's completion of the challenge, his wife Andrea reflected on his journey with pride.

"I'm extremely proud of him," she said, "It's a reflection of who he is and the way he approaches relationships and life. Whether it's a good day or a bad day, raining or shining, Doug's always going to show up."

Now, with every street in Columbus behind him, he is considering his next challenge, possibly aiming to run every street in neighboring suburbs like Bexley and Westerville.

JEWolf@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus runner Doug Owsley ran every city street over three years