The Cleveland Marathon began in 1978, providing a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than 350,000 runners have participated, generating more than $15 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community. The Cleveland Marathon has been listed as one of the most runner-friendly …
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The Cleveland Marathon began in 1978, providing a running experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities. More than 350,000 runners have participated, generating more than $15 million annually to benefit the Cleveland community.
The Cleveland Marathon has been listed as one of the most runner-friendly races in the country – and for good reason! We do our best to make your experience in the Rock ‘n Roll Capital of America a solid gold hit!
All races will start and finish will be at the same location on St. Clair Avenue Northeast and W. Mall Drive (at Mall B).
Our most popular event, The University Hospitals Sports Medicine Cleveland Half Marathon offers a great view of the downtown Cleveland and it landmarks and great volunteer support. The course has been designed for our athletes to enjoy views of Lake Erie and many other Cleveland highlights. The 13.1 mile course mirrors the first half of the marathon course. Half marathoners will turn off at that time, but finish at the same location as the marathoners. The half marathon route is USATF certified.
The Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series offers new options for runners and walkers who wish to challenge themselves! The Challenge Series is divided into four levels of varying difficulty and requires a 2-day commitment from participants:
– 10K and Full Marathon
– 10K and Half Marathon
– 5K and Full Marathon
– 5K and Half Marathon
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Hot day for a run
I've never seen a race where I passed so many people lined up at port-o-potties on the course! The lines were ridiculous at the start and I guess everyone just … MORE
I’ve never seen a race where I passed so many people lined up at port-o-potties on the course! The lines were ridiculous at the start and I guess everyone just decided to stop along the way. It was a warm day under sunny skies with no shade anywhere. Got to run past the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and see some nice views of Lake Erie.
My memories of Cleveland will be more about the nice art museum and the beautiful Snow Leopard at their zoo. The zoo is large and a great place for walking the kinks out after the race.
Rolling hills
First half of the race is a great tour of Downtown Cleveland and relatively flat. You get to run past many downtown landmarks including the rock n roll hall of … MORE
First half of the race is a great tour of Downtown Cleveland and relatively flat. You get to run past many downtown landmarks including the rock n roll hall of fame, Cleveland browns stadium, the flats, progressive field, and rocket mortgage field house. Around 7 miles there was a lengthy incline, but overall not too bad. Hitting the second half of the marathon was where it got difficult in my opinion. To start it you cross the Detroit avenue bridge to the west side of Cleveland which is a decently long incline. Keep in mind on the way back you have to run this again around the 25 mile mark. Luckily the last water station is just before this. Around 19 miles you get into what I considered the most difficult part of the race. It’s straight away of long rolling hills, and then loops around to come back. It seemed to last forever. It also didn’t help that the water station around 23 miles ran out. So if planning on running this would recommend incorporating hills into your training program. Overall this was a challenging but fun race. There were about 2,000 participants, and many crowds/supporters along the way. So train well, stay hydrated, and pace yourself and you should have no problem.
Logistical Disaster
Ran out of water on 84 degree day. No order to Nuun vs water. No cup system. Plastic!! Styrofoam!! No signage/help at mile 13.5 so got off course and very … MORE
Ran out of water on 84 degree day. No order to Nuun vs water. No cup system. Plastic!! Styrofoam!! No signage/help at mile 13.5 so got off course and very lost. No chip time, only gun time. Few bathrooms. Could not access at start. Lines until 10k. And a horribly depressing course mostly on highways and if not, on broken pavement. This was my 9th marathon and by far the worst. I’ve never had an experience like this.
Great race, no issues for turtle runners
I loved this race! The energy was great, experience was fantastic. Expo day before was great! No issues with hydration or any other logistics for middle-to-back of the pack runners. … MORE
I loved this race! The energy was great, experience was fantastic. Expo day before was great! No issues with hydration or any other logistics for middle-to-back of the pack runners. Thanks, Cleveland!
Warm weather, fun coarse in “The Land”
This was my first year running in Cleveland. Beginning with the expo, I was disappointed in that there weren’t any freebies. Only the usual “discounted vendors.” I did however snag … MORE
This was my first year running in Cleveland. Beginning with the expo, I was disappointed in that there weren’t any freebies. Only the usual “discounted vendors.” I did however snag a cool magnet. Hot tip: if you are staying in town, DO NOT stay at any of the hotels near centennial park. I had a rude awakening both Saturday and Sunday morning from music and announcing at 6am, which made me very exhausted after losing three hours of time change. Even though it’s convenient to be near the start line, you should consider being at least a mile out.
The race day weather was partially cloudy at 58 degrees, which is ideal for me. The marathon started promptly at 7am. It began and ended at centennial park. The run itself had many turns which was nice to tour the city. There was a lot of shade throughout the run thanks to tall buildings in the downtown, and trees in the neighborhoods. There was mile markers almost every mile, except for some in the beginning 10 miles. The mile markers weren’t accurate, and didn’t agree with my Nike app. I did enjoy the amount of crowd support throughout the race. There was a lot of soakers and misters throughout, however I did not partake. The course was relatively flat with a couple of hills, one most notably at mile 24. There were many water/nuun stations, about every other mile. Something that I did not like about the race was that the medals were sitting right at the start line for everyone to see. I prefer not to see what the medals look like, or even visually see them until the finish line. Crossing the finish line had a lot of spectators and can hear the announcer announce name and hometown. The finish line included a cup of nuun, bottled water, chocolate milk, bananas, pretzels, gummy’s, bag of chips, three options for chewy bars; smores, chocolate chip, and peanut butter chocolate chips and also a coconut bar. Overall, I would recommend the Cleveland marathon for a flat, cheerful, non-boring spring race.
Do it again
Great scenery Great review of Cleveland. The course took you by the rock in roll museum, football stadium, baseball stadium and basketball stadium. Volunteers were great. After party was good. MORE
Great scenery Great review of Cleveland. The course took you by the rock in roll museum, football stadium, baseball stadium and basketball stadium. Volunteers were great. After party was good.
Tough Course…
So many hills and turns in this new course, but good overall… Great support from fans!! I could have used a few less hills, but I pulled off a BQ … MORE
So many hills and turns in this new course, but good overall… Great support from fans!! I could have used a few less hills, but I pulled off a BQ with a huge PR…
Well Run
I've done this race twice now & so enjoy it. Logistics are a breeze, very well run, and it's like a tour of the city. Some doozy hills towards the … MORE
I’ve done this race twice now & so enjoy it. Logistics are a breeze, very well run, and it’s like a tour of the city. Some doozy hills towards the end of the race but a generous cut off and pacers up to 6 hours.
Relatively flat and fun
I've run this one 3 times and have fun every time. Relatively flat course, although one of the notable inclines is around mile 25 when going over the bridge into … MORE
I’ve run this one 3 times and have fun every time. Relatively flat course, although one of the notable inclines is around mile 25 when going over the bridge into downtown Cleveland. Race day was a bit chilly and drizzling, so crowd support during the race this time was a bit lacking. Finish line festivities were well organized with great beer.
Great Race
Had an absolute blast at this race. It's very well planned, has lots of pace teams, support, well stocked aid stations along with fuel (Carb Boom). The finish line was … MORE
Had an absolute blast at this race. It’s very well planned, has lots of pace teams, support, well stocked aid stations along with fuel (Carb Boom). The finish line was great with support as you ran through and then ample snacks and water. The race day energy is amazing and it’s definitely on my repeat list.
Beautiful City Race and amazing Support
Beautiful Course Easy access in downtown Amazing Crowd Support Nice Course except last 14 miles in same road and coming back Not many hills but some rolling hills Loved views … MORE
Beautiful Course
Easy access in downtown
Amazing Crowd Support
Nice Course except last 14 miles in same road and coming back
Not many hills but some rolling hills
Loved views of Big Lake and cooling Breeze
Hot (& humid) in Cleveland
This race was one that I deferred from 2020. I was originally going to run the full, but I have several this year and decided to drop it down to … MORE
This race was one that I deferred from 2020. I was originally going to run the full, but I have several this year and decided to drop it down to a half.
I had something come up the day before the race and I wasn’t going to be able to pickup my race pack before the expo closed. Luckily, they had the option for someone else to pick it up for me. Therefore, I don’t have any insight into the expo.
I stayed at one of the hotels the race recommended. It was very close to the race start/finish. There seemed to be plenty of parking nearby. The start was in a good location near the town square and started promptly at 7.
There were some parts that weren’t very scenic, but the course did hit most of the major attractions in the city. Luckily, the course was also marked well because there were a lot of turns. The full and half marathoners ran together for about 11 miles before splitting off. The split was well mark and would be hard to miss. Traffic was closed, so there was plenty of room for the runners.
The route wasn’t as flat as I would have thought. Some of the elevation gain was due to bridges, but there is a significant hill around mile 9. It felt like it went on forever. There seemed to be plenty of water stations and port-a-johns along the way. There was also a station with gel.
The announcer called each finisher’s name and city as they crossed the line. There was the usual post-race fare with fruit cups, water, chocolate milk and other various snacks. Each runner over 21 received a beer ticket which was redeemable in a beer garden. The shirt and medal were nice, but I believe the shirt was cotton. Comfy, but maybe not the type a lot of people like to run in.
You never know what you’re going to get in Cleveland in May. This year the start temp was 68 and the relative humidity was 83%. It was a little warm and humid for my taste. So, not PR weather for me. The temp did drop throughout the morning and then a cold mist started to come down. This was after I had already finished, but some of the marathoners were able to cool off a little. I was not overwhelmed by the number of spectators, but there were pockets here and there.
If I were going to choose just one Ohio race to do, this probably wouldn’t be it, but it was still a nice race to do.
Go Virtual or Go Home
This race was changed to a virtual race due to Covid19. I ran all around Canton for this one. The weather was great, nice and sunny. I wish I could … MORE
This race was changed to a virtual race due to Covid19. I ran all around Canton for this one. The weather was great, nice and sunny. I wish I could of ran it in Cleveland but there is always next year!
True city race
Very little shade on the course, so you are exposed to the elements; especially the hot sun, the wind off the lake can be your friend or your enemy depending … MORE
Very little shade on the course, so you are exposed to the elements; especially the hot sun, the wind off the lake can be your friend or your enemy depending on where you are. The elevation maps are a bit misleading, there are some man-made inclines on the route that make it challenging in places. Overall, the crowd and aid support is plentiful throughout the course. I found it to be a fun big city race that is well organized.
Nice scenery, lots of runners!
I ran the Cleveland half in 2017 and returned for the full marathon in 2018. The scenery was nice for a full marathon route, they took you through some really … MORE
I ran the Cleveland half in 2017 and returned for the full marathon in 2018. The scenery was nice for a full marathon route, they took you through some really nice neighborhoods and along the water. The route has some tough hills but lots of flat area too.
I repeat this race every year!
I like to participate in the challenge series every year. This means you choose a shorter distance race on Saturday and a longer distance race on Sunday. My favorite is … MORE
I like to participate in the challenge series every year. This means you choose a shorter distance race on Saturday and a longer distance race on Sunday. My favorite is the 8K and the half marathon. The course takes you through different types of areas and neighborhoods from residential to urban to downtown to business districts. The bridges are particularly nice. There are a few rolling hills but there is a whopper of a hill in the middle. And, boy do I love that hill! I must have passed 200 people on that hill. A real ego booster when you’re slow on flat but can rock the inclines. The aid stations are standard 2-miles-ish apart and are stocked with water and Powerade. There was one station that has gu. They ran out of gu and switched to honey stinger waffles – a win for me! Crowd support was good this year. You can predict crowd support by looking at the weather forecast – lol.
The expo was decently sized but overall bland. They did have something unique, however. Customized finisher shirts! You pick the style and color of shirt and you pick one of the designs they offered which also came in a variety of colors. The cost was $25. Not bad! The choices were excellent.
The swag was nice. Cotton shirts for the shirt Saturday races. Tech shirts for the longer Sunday races. This year, they had a better fit compared to last year’s baggy ones. If you registered for the challenge series (a Saturday and Sunday race), you received a t-shirt hoodie. I LOVE THE HOODIE! Perfect fit. Great design. Already a favorite. Light-weight for spring.
It made me Cleveland’s Happiest Runner
Regarding my title for this review, when I crossed the finish line, I was pulled aside and told I was named “Cleveland’s Happiest Runner”!!! They interviewed me and the recording … MORE
Regarding my title for this review, when I crossed the finish line, I was pulled aside and told I was named “Cleveland’s Happiest Runner”!!! They interviewed me and the recording is/was released 5/22/18. How sweet is that?! I’m totally elated! Hahaha
The 8K course is a cruise around downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s a nice and easy course for runners and walkers alike. Many use this course as a first Time 8K or a warm-up to the longer distance the following day, or just so they can extra swag.
The swag includes a cotton shirt (or pajama top, as I call it), but the medal is really nice. It has a nice design that features the skyline and it has some heft to it – something to show off and be proud of. If you signed up for the challenge series, you also got a spring-weight hoodie.
There were two aid stations which is plenty for an 8K.
Only caveat I have is that the 8K Runners eventually meet up with 5K walkers so this makes the last mile a struggle as you weave around those going at a slower pace.
Not a Bad Race
Just be smart about your goals. Be conservative (especially first-timers), and you'll do fine!! You don't want to set goals too high, and then crash and burn. MORE
Just be smart about your goals. Be conservative (especially first-timers), and you’ll do fine!! You don’t want to set goals too high, and then crash and burn.
Not enough porta-potties
I would run this again if I were there. (I live in San Francisco.) On the plus side, I was flying in and couldn't pick up the bib at the … MORE
I would run this again if I were there. (I live in San Francisco.)
On the plus side, I was flying in and couldn’t pick up the bib at the expo. They had a person handing them out on race day. That was nice. You missed out on the t-shirt. But that’s how it goes.
On the negative side, not enough porte-potties. There were many. But not relative to the size of the crowd. So I was still in line when the gun went off. It was a mass start, surprising given how many people there were.
The course itself is not bad. It’s probably about as good as you’d get in a Midwestern industrial metropolis (that’s not knocking the Midwest or industrial metropolises — my hometown is Detroit; it’s just saying it is what it is). Not hilly. Interesting urban scenery.
Oh, also, parking was much easier than I expected. I got a cheap rate in the stadium garage. In a race at a popular destination, it would have been much more expensive or farther away.
Great route through the city!
Packet pickup was on the Friday and Saturday before. 5k and 8k races ran on Saturday (with packet pickup Friday only) while the 10k, half, and full ran Sunday. The … MORE
Packet pickup was on the Friday and Saturday before. 5k and 8k races ran on Saturday (with packet pickup Friday only) while the 10k, half, and full ran Sunday. The tech shirt is pretty nice, and I’m sure many people appreciated the cute key chain bottle openers they gave out as well! The expo had a ton of great vendors with lots of nice CLE-specific things for sale.
Starting line was outside Quicken Loans arena and things were well-organized. Lots of porta-potties, good signing for the corrals, and the crowd was HUGE! I *kind of* had to pee, but didn’t want to wait in the long lines since I was running a little late to the start! Runners for all three events lined up and started together, and signs throughout the course clearly showed where each race broke off.
The course went past quite a few Cleveland landmarks.. West Side market, the Rock Hall, and even the local Factory of Sadness, the Cleveland Browns stadium. Never having really seen Cleveland as an adult, I thought it was a great route to see a lot of the city in a short amount of time.
The finish line was packed with tons of post-run snacks and spots to take some nice photos posing with the medals. The beer garden was nice afterwards with a few standing tables but could’ve used more seating for some people who were really wiped out. Overall I thought it was a really nice race to run during my half marathon training plan and I’m debating whether to repeat or run the half next year!