Columbus,OH – Oldenburg Academy (OA) cross country coach and alumnus Eckstein won the men’s half marathon in Columbus,Ohio,this morning,battling rain and wind to secure first place.
Eckstein’s victory is particularly notable as he recently returned to OA as the cross country coach after a distinguished collegiate career at purdue University, were he was a First Team All-Big Ten athlete in cross country and still holds the school’s 3k record. His success demonstrates the continued impact of OA’s athletic program and inspires current students, five of whom he recently led to a sectional championship on Saturday.
During the race, Eckstein acknowledged the challenging conditions. “I felt smooth,but definitely when it was time to pick it up,I was like,’Yeah,the rain,the wind,the wind’s taking its toll on me,'” he told ABC 6 News in Columbus.
The Columbus Marathon, where Eckstein competed, serves as a major fundraiser for Nationwide Children’s Hospital, with patients and families lining the route to support the runners. Eckstein was a state champion in cross country and track while competing at Oldenburg Academy.
