Running Against ALS

Join Us!

Take part in this 4th annual event and join us on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at Three Creeks Metro Park in southeast Columbus. There are distance options for beginner and experienced participants. You can choose from a 5K (3.1 miles), 15K individual (9.3 miles), or our 15K Relay (teams of three where each team member does 3.1 miles). 

About Running Against ALS

Running Against ALS was initially set up to benefit Officer Steve Asch. Steve was diagnosed with ALS on February 14, 2022. It’s a day his family and friends will never forget.

Steve Asch was devoted to his family and a dedicated Columbus police officer who served the citizens of Columbus for 15 years. Whether it was making a difference on the job or assisting a friend, Steve jumped in with a smile. Throughout Steve’s career, he received five lifesaving awards. Steve loved his job and relished meeting and serving the residents of Columbus. Running Against ALS was set up to benefit Steve and now, in his memory, it will continue to benefit others with an ALS diagnosis. As a promise to Steve, this race will continue to bring awareness and assistance to those fighting ALS.

New this year, we will be donating ALL of the proceeds to ALS United Ohio’s grant program. ALS United Ohio’s mission is to provide comprehensive support and advocacy for people with ALS and their families while advancing research for new treatments and an end to ALS. They provide no-cost services to those around Ohio with ALS including but not limited to, support groups, durable medical equipment loans, hands-free home programs, one-on-one case management, and a grant program to help cover costs associated with a diagnosis of ALS.

Starting with our 2024 race, we are taking each year's medal (which are all awesome) and giving you the opportunity to combine them into one super medal. Make Running Against ALS a part of your summer racing schedule and complete the series!

We are pleased to introduce everyone to the 2024 beneficiary of the Running Against ALS event, Terry Trost. In 2024, half of the proceeds to ALS United Ohio’s grant program and half will go to help Terry in his battle.

Terry has dedicated his professional life to public service. He started at the age of 14 as a member of the Evendale Fire Department’s Explorer post. In 1978, he completed his EMT training and basic firefighter training, eventually joining the Blue Ash Fire Department where he served until 1991. He entered basic police officer training at Scarlet Oaks JVS under the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy, graduating in 1983. At the end of 1983, Terry was appointed as a full-time Police Officer with the Miami Township Police Department where he worked until his retirement in 2009. 

Terry met his lovely wife Rosa in April 2009, and they married in 2011. In 2019, Terry began experiencing symptoms of ALS. After undergoing numerous tests, Terry received a correct diagnosis of ALS in October 2022. Today living with ALS is like navigating a winding road with unexpected twists and turns. It’s a journey that presents both physical challenges and emotional hurdles. Imagine waking up each day knowing that your body is slowly losing its ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe on its own. We have learned that living with ALS is a test of courage, patience, and perseverance. It’s about acknowledging the difficult moments but choosing to focus on the moments of light and hope that shine through the darkness. It’s a journey that requires strength, support, and a positive mindset to navigate the highs and lows with grace and dignity. 

To read all of Terry's story, please click here.

Early Packet Pickup

Save time in line on race morning and get your gear early by visiting Columbus Running Company's Pickerington location (1250 Hill Rd N Pickerington OH 43147) on Friday, June 7 (10a-8p), or Saturday, June 8 (10a-6p). Visit with the running and walking experts at CRC, and maybe pick up a new pair of socks to keep your feet cool and dry on race day! Race day pickup will be at the shelter near the start line starting at 630a.

Parking

This race starts and finishes at the Three Creeks Metro Park shelter in the Confluence Trails Area. Plug 3860 Bixby Rd into your GPS, and follow the park entrance road all the way back to the parking areas near the shelter. There are two lots. Please follow the parking instructions of all park rangers or volunteers. Due to the limited number of parking spots in this area, we strongly recommend carpooling!

Race Day Timeline

• 630a - Race day check-in begins - there is no race day registration
• 750a - participants line up for final announcements
• 800a - The Running Against ALS 5K & 15K events are underway!
• 900a - 5K Run/Walk awards presentation
• 1000a - 15K and 15K Relay awards presentation

15K Relay Details

If you are taking part in the 15K Relay, there are a few simple rules that you should know:

1. You must have a team of three participants. There are no gender/age requirements within the open teams (youth teams must have all members be aged 18 or younger on race day), only that you have three runners. Any teams on race day without three participants will be offered to combine with other teams to field a complete team or will be transferred to the 5K.
2. Team members must complete their 5K segments consecutively. Runner 1 will hand off to Runner 2 will hand off to Runner 3. Your team cannot have all members running at the same time.
3. The first registrant for each team creates the team, and team members can join once that initial registration is complete. Please check to be sure that your team has not already been created before registering so there aren't multiple teams that need to be combined later.

Need help with teams?

• If you have questions about creating a new team, click here.
• If you have questions about joining an existing team, click here.
• If you are the team captain (first registrant on the team) and have questions about managing your team, click here.

If your question is not answered in the above help topics, please use the Questions button below.

Awards

There will be medals for all finishers in each event, and awards for the top overall finishers in each event as detailed here:

• 5K Run/Walk: top three male and female overall finishers, and the top male and female finishers in the following age group categories: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & Over.
• 15K Run/Walk: top three male and female overall finishers, and the top male and female finishers in the following age group categories: 19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and 70 & Over.
• 15K Relay (Law Enforcement Challenge): top three teams overall
• 15K Relay (Open Teams): top male, top female, and top co-ed teams
• 15K Relay (Youth Teams): top three teams overall

Please note: for the 15K Relay, your team's status with respect to Law Enforcement Challenge, Open Team, or Youth Team is determined by your team captain's answer to that question during the creation of the team. If you have questions or concerns about your team's Relay Team designation, please contact Andy Harris at the Columbus Running Company: aharris@columbusrunning.com

Social Media

Connect with the race on Facebook and Instagram!

Course Maps

We have course maps for all three events.

Terry Trost was born on March 15, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Donald and Phyllis Trost. Growing up in Blue Ash, Ohio, enjoying his childhood, Terry attended Sycamore High School and graduated in 1979. Terry has three siblings: Lee Trost, Thomas Trost, and Lisa Davis. His father, Donald, worked as a full-time Fire Lieutenant with the Evendale Fire Department, while his mother, Phyllis, was a dedicated homemaker. 

Throughout his life, Terry aspired to pursue a career as a public servant, inspired by his father’s legacy and hoping to follow in his footsteps.

When Terry was 14 years old, he became a member of the Evendale Fire Department’s Explorer post, where he experienced serving the public for the first time. In the spring of 1978, at the age of 18, Terry embarked on his EMT training and basic firefighter training, eventually joining the Blue Ash Fire Department. He simultaneously served in the fire department and EMS roles with the Blue Ash Fire Department until around 1991. 

Additionally, Terry completed his basic police officer training at Scarlet Oaks JVS under the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy, graduating in 1983. Upon completing his training, Terry began working for the Xavier University Campus Police Department right out of the academy and worked as an auxiliary Police Officer for Monroe Township Police Department, in Clermont County. In December 1983, he was appointed as a full-time Police Officer with the Miami Township Police Department. Concurrently, Terry remained committed to serving both the Blue Ash Fire Department and the Miami Township Police Department until his departure from the Blue Ash Fire Department in 1991.

Throughout his tenure at the Miami Township Police Department, Terry worked in the Road Patrol Division, fulfilling roles as a relief Supervisor and a Field Training Officer for new recruits. While Terry’s list of accomplishments is extensive, one memorable incident that remains vivid in his memory is an early morning house fire. During this event, he bravely rescued a 2-year-old baby from the burning house and provided life-saving measures, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, until the baby was successfully revived. It was later revealed that the children’s father had intentionally started the fire to kill his family for insurance money. 

During the final five years of Terry’s tenure at the Miami Township Police Department, he was assigned to the Investigations Bureau, where he handled a wide range of cases including homicide, shootings, rapes, thefts, and burglaries until his retirement in 2009.

Furthermore, in 1985, Terry initiated a Private Motor Officer Force to offer funeral escorts to the Funeral Homes in the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area. He actively participated in this role on the front line, conducting over 700 funeral escorts annually until symptoms of ALS began to manifest. In 2020, Terry and his wife Rosa made the decision to step back from his front-line duties.

Embracing the concept of fate, Terry encountered his lovely wife Rosa in April 2009 at a motorcycle event held at Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant in Milford, Ohio. It was a case of love at first sight, and they have been inseparable ever since. The couple exchanged vows on the beach in Key West, Florida, on July 1, 2011. Rosa played a pivotal role in Terry’s life, always encouraging him to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, a sentiment he wholeheartedly embraced. Despite not having any biological children of his own, Terry’s bond with Erika, Rosa’s daughter, is profound. To Terry, Erika is more than a stepdaughter; she is like his own flesh and blood. 

Together, Terry and Rosa embarked on numerous adventures around the globe, exploring destinations such as Italy (Rosa’s birthplace), Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Key West, Destin, and Daytona Beach for various motorcycle events. Their ultimate favorite spot is Grand Cayman Island, where they have made multiple visits due to their deep affection for the place. Riding motorcycles together was a cherished pastime for Terry and Rosa, seizing every opportunity for long weekend getaways on their motorcycle. 

For Terry and Rosa, cherishing moments spent together, relishing each other’s company, and embarking on life’s adventures were most important. Every day spent together they express gratitude to a higher power for uniting them. Terry harbored a deep passion for motorcycles and owned multiple Harley Davidsons, including a custom-built Harley that Terry assembled from scratch. Additionally, he held a fondness for exotic cars, with his most favorite vehicle being his 2020 C8 Corvette (Red). Terry and Rosa picked up the C8 Corvette from the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and continued a memorable journey, driving to Blowing Rock nestled in the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

In 2019, Terry began experiencing symptoms of ALS. He sought medical help from a Neurologist, who initially misdiagnosed him with PPMS. Consequently, Terry underwent treatment for PPMS with Ocrevus infusions twice a year. Following the PPMS diagnosis, both Terry and Rosa opted to accelerate their retirement plans, leading them to relocate to Naples, Florida, where they built their dream retirement home. Despite the treatment, Terry’s symptoms continued to progress steadily. Subsequently, the Neurologist in Naples, Florida, expressed uncertainty about the initial diagnosis and referred Terry to the Cleveland Clinic in Miami, Florida, for further evaluation. After undergoing numerous tests, Terry received a correct diagnosis of ALS in October 2022. Considering this diagnosis, Terry and Rosa made the decision to return to Cincinnati, Ohio, to be closer to Erika (daughter), family, and friends.

Today and living with ALS is like navigating a winding road with unexpected twists and turns. It’s a journey that presents both physical challenges and emotional hurdles. Imagine waking up each day knowing that your body is slowly losing its ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe on its own.

Accepting this reality can feel like standing at the edge of a vast ocean, unsure of what lies beyond. But amidst the uncertainty and fear, there are moments of strength and resilience that shine through. We chuckle and laugh and keep holding on to each other and continue living.

Living with ALS means finding comfort in the company of others who understand our struggles, and sharing stories, laughter, and tears with a community that walks a similar path. It’s about holding on to the things you can control, cherishing relationships, pursuing passions, and embracing the present moment with gratitude. 

As the disease progresses, you adapt and find new ways to navigate daily life, using assistive devices, modifying routines, and seeking out moments of joy and connection. It’s about setting small goals, celebrating victories, and finding humor during challenges.

We have learned that living with ALS is a test of courage, patience, and perseverance. It’s about acknowledging the difficult moments but choosing to focus on the moments of light and hope that shine through the darkness. It’s a journey that requires strength, support, and a positive mindset to navigate the highs and lows with grace and dignity.  

A Race Series for You!

Whether you thrive on head-to-head competition or prefer chasing your next personal record, the RUNColumbus Race Series is for you. A point-based race series, RUNColumbus is for runners of all ages, backgrounds, and fitness levels.

Your Goals. Your Series.

Register for the 2024 season and complete a minimum of six races in the series to receive the commemorative Finishers award and contend for a Championship or Age Group title. Complete the entire series and earn the distinction of being named a RUNColumbus Road Race Warrior.

Your Distance. Your Schedule.

RUNColumbus gives you race options from which to customize your series based on your objectives. Select the distances and dates that align with your goals and schedule.

So, are you ready to take the RUNColumbus Race Series challenge? Find out more details at https://runcolumbusraceseries.com/ 

I remember the first day I asked Steve for permission to put this race on to benefit him, and in his honor in the future. He smiled at me and said, "Yes. If you’re putting it on, I will be there." I know Steve will be there, if not physically, in the hearts of those he has touched. My words to him when I visit before I leave, you will never be forgotten.

It is an honor to have Steve as my friend!