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Frank's Marathon Frank's Marathon is a full-service auto repair center with 24-hour emergency towing. Family owned since 1966, Frank's is widely known in the Upper Arlington, Ohio, area for its trustworthy and reliable service. With an experienced mechanic staff, Frank's works on domestic and foreign cars and trucks. For your convenience, Frank's Marathon features Northwest Columbus' only full-service gas pump with an attendant and a mini-market with food and drink. Frank's Marathon has impeccable integrity, and the people who work there are always considerate, professional and helpful.
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When Frank Gillespie started working at his father's gas station in 1966, customers didn't have to pump their own gas. Gillespie, owner of Frank's Marathon, 3116 Riverside Drive, maintains some throwback services at his Upper Arlington service station: free air for the tires, mechanics on duty and one pump reserved for people who want an attendant to fill the tank.
Reviews (26)
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Ned Timmons
Jun 23, 2022
Frank's Marathon is the best auto care shop in UA. Three generations of Gillespie's have run this location on Riverside Drive. Super service at very reasonable prices and they stand by their work. I recommend Frank's very highly. Ned Timmons
Extreme Columbus Cars
Jan 19, 2022
Frank's Marathon- Is professional, very honest about the work that only needs done, great customer service.
Kaleigh Jurcisek
Nov 25, 2021
I have recommended to everyone I know to take their car in here. Everyone was very helpful and compassionate through the whole process of getting my car looked at from the initial phone call to picking my car up after work had been done. I appreciated the explanations of what was wrong with my car and what they did to fix it. At other places I've gone, I've always felt like either I was being talked down to or people couldn't bother to explain things to me. That was not the case here, they were wonderful!
Kari Poole
Nov 03, 2021
VERY NICE WORKERS AND LOVE THE NICE ATMOSPHERE AND THE NICE PEOPLE
Ethan Burch
Oct 27, 2021
Adam was incredibly helpful servicing my VW Jetta this summer. He was friendly and very knowledgeable. I will definitely be taking my car for service here again! Thank You!
Alex S.
Jul 20, 2021
Can't speak about other services here, but UHaul experience was good. Process went smoothly and as expected.
Jeanie Phillips Shonk
Jun 26, 2021
Adam B. Was very informative of what needed to be done. It was done in a timely matter. Thanks so much for your great service! The young man was very polite when I dropped it off as was the gentleman when I picked it up. Thanks again for the great service. Jeanie Services: Brake service & repair, Oil change, Transmission
Kelsey Gray
Apr 30, 2021
I'm really disappointed in Frank's Marathon. I took a Honda CR-V in for a pre-purchase inspection. They told me that the car was generally in good condition. Not even a week later of owning the vehicle, I took the vehicle to another shop to have it looked at due to issues I was noticing. It turns out the car is leaking oil from every place it could possibly leak oil from, the exhaust is leaking, two tires need replaced ASAP, new brakes are needed, and toms of other issues that resulted in an estimate of over $5k in repairs.

There's no way the tech at Frank's didn't see any of these things, particularly the oil leaking and the tires. The engine light also came on about a day after I had my car inspected at Frank's. It was reset by the seller, and then reset at Frank's.
Kevin Cappy
Apr 14, 2021
Adam was probably the kindest, sweetest, most honest human being I've ever given my car to. Not only was the service excellent, but they were fast and very communicative about what the issues were. Highly recommend. Service: Brake service & repair
Tina Richardson
Mar 27, 2021
I was a visitor in the area and my vehicle overheated. I had to return home, nearly two hours away, that same day. I called and talked to Adam who was kind and seemed to really be concerned, working my vehicle into the schedule. I brought it in. He cut a heater hose - added a new connector - and charged me for 1.5 hours of labor = $144. The next day I was experiencing extreme leaking again from the same area.

My vehicle is now at my mechanic and he told me the work done by Adam was in no way a 1.5 hour job. I suspected price gouging but didn't have enough information to effectively argue at the time of payment. So BE CAREFUL! Adam gave me the "anyone else would charge a lot more" speech and made himself out to be a heroin in my crisis. No sir. I was a vulnerable woman in an unknown area with a vehicle emergency and it was the perfect opportunity for someone to take advantage of -
Jeremy
Feb 25, 2021
Went in here for an oil, filter change and only that. They respected that and performed the oil, filter and lube change quickly. They did not try to sell me on anything. I will come here again if I need anything else in the future.
Meredith Dickinson
Oct 18, 2020
I live in Philadelphia area and my daughter goes to Ohio State. My daughter drove back to school and we noticed oil leak stains in the garage. We called Frank in the morning and asked if she could bring him the car! They were more then helpful! They treated her like she was one of their family! I am so grateful for their kindness over the phone and to my daughter today!
Raul Presas
Jul 18, 2020
Very impressed with the professionalism and honesty. I feel I was given all the information about my issue and a more than fair price. Franks gained a new customer today. Service: Brake service & repair
Joyce Ellene Clark
Jul 17, 2019
Great service, nice employees, and they are very knowledgeable of all your repair and maintenance needs. Been a customer for 30+ years.
E. W.
May 01, 2019
Called Frank last night around 4pm and he got me in quickly this morning at 8am. Had my car fixed within a few hours and back on my way by 11:30am. They let me supply my own parts and they installed them at no extra charge plus labor at a fair price. Frank has my business moving forward.
Cheryl Sambuco
Oct 10, 2018
Frank's Marathon has worked on my 2003 subaru outback. It's even in the pictures. I love this place since they are honest about what really needs fixed on my tank of a car. Thank you Adam!
Y. S.
Sep 08, 2018
I'm happy that I took my car to Frank's! They looked at my car when other shops were booked, charged a fair price, and Frank keep me updated as they worked on the car. Frank's is a great shop!
Andria Bennett
Aug 24, 2018
They are always honest and fair! Great neighborhood shop, taking care of neighbors!
Amber D.
Aug 15, 2018
I noticed a scary noise on my front passenger side and stopped by Frank's around 9 am on a Tuesday. They quickly inspected my car, told me the problem, gave me an exact cost to fix, and had the job completed in two hours. Super friendly & honest people. Did NOT feel pressured to fix anything else nor did they push anything unnecessary on me. Will definitely be back!
Pat Fulcher
Jun 20, 2018
The Folks at Frank's Marathon are Honest, very helpful, and quite reasonably priced!
Rodney W.
Aug 20, 2017
Running around town on a leisurely Sunday, far from home, when I was alerted that I had something dragging under my car. Suddenly all the cars that had been giving me a lot of space behind me made complete sense. I turned to Yelp and was directed to the Marathon station on Riverside Drive. This being Sunday, it was the closest place open. Ten minutes after arriving and one zip tie later, despite never being there before in my life, the cute guy working all alone at the mini mart/ service station didn't charge me a dime! Incredibly generous, selfless service! If you are in the area, you're making a big mistake going anywhere else. Riverside Rd Marathon is your new service/ mechanic/ mini market spot!
Donna Baran
Feb 25, 2017
Awesome customer service top-notch mechanics! Frank and his team of mechanics are hard-working and honest. I would not take my vehicles to any other shop. If you want top-notch mechanics, great customer service, family owned company, go to Franks marathon!
Maryjane S.
Feb 14, 2013
I do not recommend taking your car to Frank's. Got my car completely redone. spent THOUSANDS of dollars on it, and three months later I have to get it completely fixed again. talk about shoddy workmanship.
J. Bradford L.
Nov 01, 2012
I've taken my vehicles here for several years. Frank is a good guy, = and they've been here for years. They work on just about any make or model. You can ask for an individual mechanic. I recommend Adam Bennett - he will go out of his way to give you good service, even if it is an unannounced stop in. In general, they will look for the most cost effective way to get you on your way and only fix what you need to fix.

I would recommend calling and making an appointment for maximum efficiency. Rare these days to say, "I have a mechanic", but in this case, I have a mechanic and its Adam at Frank's Marathon.
Ashton L.
Aug 10, 2011
I recently had my car repaired here, and I'm very satisfied with the service. They got me in quickly and had my car completed the afternoon I dropped it off. They were completely honest about what needed fixed and the pricing was fair. I plan on taking my car there for future repairs.
Heather A.
Aug 10, 2008
If you want it done right, go see Frank. He's been the owner of this location since 1966 and has built a reputation solid as a rock. He does business honestly and smoothly in terms of auto service. Gas is usually a few cents more at this location but you are supporting a local business owner so it is justifiable.