COLUMBUS, Ohio — A steady rain greeted runners early Sunday morning as the Columbus Marathon got underway, but the weather didn’t stop thousands from hitting the pavement.

About 15,000 participants braved the cold and wet conditions to support patients and families at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The sold-out event raised over $1 million, despite a slight delay due to the rain.

Since the marathon’s inception in 2012, it has generated more than $15 million for pediatric research and care.

Among those cheering runners was Cash Schleucher, who has congenital heart disease.

He's a former patient who underwent open-heart surgery at just 12 days old and was honored at the 3-mile mark.

“To see that kindness still in the world is amazing,” said Cash’s mother, Molli Schleucher.

“It makes

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