Introduction Welcome! The NorthCoast 24-Hour Endurance Run, commonly known as NC24, is an exciting endurance race held on the shores of Lake Erie at Cleveland’s scenic Edgewater Park. Runners will travel around a loop of just under one mile, covering as many miles as possible within the race’s specified time …
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Introduction
Welcome! The NorthCoast 24-Hour Endurance Run, commonly known as NC24, is an exciting endurance race held on the shores of Lake Erie at Cleveland’s scenic Edgewater Park. Runners will travel around a loop of just under one mile, covering as many miles as possible within the race’s specified time limit and may elect to run any amount of time or distance that they wish. The overall winners will be those who cover the most distance within the race time limit.
The Course
Those who run with us regularly know that the NC24 race course got quite a face lift in 2017 due to a massive construction project at the beach house pavilion. The current course utilizes the 8′ wide asphalt all-purpose trail around Edgewater Park that measures .8822 miles in length. USATF Course Certification: OH17029MW
We anticipate that the direction of travel will be CLOCKWISE around the course; however, the Race Directors will monitor the weather prior to the start of the NC24 and will make a final decision at that time.
Please note that we cannot close the course to all non-NC24-related traffic during the race. Edgewater Park is a public park, and you can expect to see some walkers, runners, and the occasional dog on a leash during the race. In general, the park is much less crowded in mid-September than it is during the summer months.
The western edge of the course loop features a beautiful beach house. Our start line (and official timer and lap counter) will be located by this pavilion. After this pavilion will be the official NC24 aid station. Immediately after the aid station will begin the “aid area”. This area, which will likely include the entire western edge of the course loop, is where you may set up your own aid station. In past years, many runners have set up tables, tents, crew areas, etc., containing their own supplies. You may do so if you choose, but you are certainly not required to. The official aid station will supply plenty of excellent “ultra” food and drink to satisfy the needs of most runners.
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Heat Stroke is no Joke!
This is one of my favorite races of the year! The water view is beautiful, the course is just under a mile lap in the park and is almost flat. … MORE
This is one of my favorite races of the year! The water view is beautiful, the course is just under a mile lap in the park and is almost flat. My only issue every year here is the HEAT! Almost every year it is crazy hot and no shade at all the whole course is wide open. This year I had to go to the Med tent for heat exhaustion (not pretty) still it is a great time with friends and lots of laughs.
Mettle detector!!
This race is a .89 mile loop along Lake Erie. You can see Lake Erie from every inch of this paved trail. The aid station is fully equipped with hot … MORE
This race is a .89 mile loop along Lake Erie. You can see Lake Erie from every inch of this paved trail. The aid station is fully equipped with hot and cold foods and requests for special foods are often eagerly granted. The hydration station includes a variety of brands of electrolyte drinks, water, pops and coffee. Jackie makes excellent iced coffee, by the way! Just beyond the aid station is the medical tent followed by the foot tent. The medical staff is not only professional and knowledgeable, they are friendly and supportive. You might find that they are the loudest cheerleaders in the park.
You are allowed to camp on the park on Saturday night only. There is plenty of time prior to the start of the race to set up your tents and canopies. “Tent City” is a manageable size and your camp is right along the trail. Very convenient. Parking is also right there. There is always a spot. Logistical paradise!
The park does not close to the public during this event and you are highly likely to be interviewed by park visitors with this single question: “Are you all really running for 24 hours?!?!?!”, followed by a shake of the head and a “that’s crazy” comment. To be honest, I love being asked that. I feel sorta ya know “tough gal”.
The runners this year ranged in age from 8 to 80+. The eight-year-old ran 46 miles this year!!! Like, omg! 😳. You will also have to chance to meet world-class elites as they run alongside amateurs like me. Since it is a championship race, prize money is involved which draws an incredible group of athletes. You’ll never find a friendlier group to nearly-die with. The count is always mid-hundreds so it’s never crowded and it’s also not intimidating to a first-timer. Noobs are welcomed with big bear hugs and loud music.
Be prepared to hand over your license at registration. This helps prevent loss of the ankle bracelet timing chips. You’ll get it back when you give back the chip. Also, you are only eligible for awards if you are a USATF member. It is, after all, a USATF championship endurance race.
Bragging rights are your best reward. This year, to my surprise, I won 10th Overall Female and 3rd in my AG. I took home 3 metals!!! A first time for me, so I’m especially proud.
Tip: strategy is important. I’m not an elite runner but because I played it smart, I was able to earn a podium spot.
USATF Championship Ultra
This takes place along Edgewater beach in Cleveland, so the scenery is gorgeous. You have 100% views of the lake from every part of the course. This is a national … MORE
This takes place along Edgewater beach in Cleveland, so the scenery is gorgeous. You have 100% views of the lake from every part of the course. This is a national championship ultra so you can expect to see some world-class elites here who will welcome you like you’re an old friend and you’ve come home.
The race production is smooth. There is tons and tons and tons of food and beverage. The nice restrooms are located near the food tents. The port-a-pots are at the other end. The swag is gorgeous and well-done.
This is my favorite Ultra because the comraderie is outstanding. Though the competition is fierce, there isn’t a soul who wouldn’t take the time to help you out or cheer you on.
The MetroPark remains open to the public so you can expect to weave through pedestrians. The public is usually astounded that any group of Runners will actually take on the task of running 24 hours so they tend to watch with admiration and respect.
Runners and crew are permitted to camp at the park. Your tent can be pitched right along the course which is nice and convenient. There is plenty of space. And, often there is an Indians game happening which means your night run will be treated to fireworks! Always an exciting time.
If there is one thing I can say that will make you register, it’s: you’ll make friends for life and you’ll be participating in a bad-a$$ event.
My favorite race all-time
I get asked often what fun is there in running a (nearly) one mile loop over and over again for 24 hours. My answer is that the fun comes from … MORE
I get asked often what fun is there in running a (nearly) one mile loop over and over again for 24 hours. My answer is that the fun comes from all the people that participate in it, staff it, and spectate it. The comradery is unmatched. The amount of support each runner receives as they endeavor to reach goals unfathomable by others is unmatched in any event I’ve ever known. It is why most of the participants are repeats and why most of stay friends after the race is done. And, when you check in the following year, you are greeted with hugs and meaningful conversation.
This is my third year running in this event. I ran my first ultramarathon distance of 50K the first year. I ran my first 100K the second year. This year, I beat my record again with what I think is a staggering 70 miles.
To my utmost surprise, I placed 3rd in my age group. Upon hearing my name, I broke down in tears and was immediately washed over with hugs and pats on my back. You see, the elite runners that participate in this event often reach over 100 miles. When I placed, I felt I somehow reached some level unattainable even in my wildest dreams. So the moral of the story is to dream as big as you possibly can because you never know where you’ll land.
So, to the nitty gritty. You can bring a tent and set up camp there. Your tent is right along the course, so you don’t have far to go to reach it. I traveled about 3 feet to mine. You can set up tables and have a crew. I don’t have a crew but did share space on a table. I never had a crew nor do I feel I need one because the race director supplies us with so much food and beverage and supplements that what is offered is fine by me. When you need motivation, there are plenty of folks around to give it to you.
A brief comment on course difficulty….it’s a fast, flat loop so it’s easy except you’re going for so long that even the tiniest bumps seem like mountains.
There is a medical tent that will attend to your needs. They will also stretch you out whenever you need it. Next to that is the foot tent where a crew of podiatrists will take care of all your feet-needs. Honestly, I feel sorry for these folks. I mean, smelly, gross runner feet – ewwwww.
The DJ is simply awesome. He shows up along the course in crazy costumes sometimes. At 50 miles, I had to re-decide if Santa was real. Lol.
The photographers are amazing. They are real artists, not hired help. They each have their own flair. And, best of all, the pics are free!
Most importantly, lets acknowledge the food lady. She’s the wife of the race director. She made homemade cookies for all of us. When the weather got ridiculously hot, she got pop ice for all of us. When she could, she hand fed us grapes. If you wanted something special, she found a way to get it. She also provides us with an amazing breakfast at the end.
The swag gets better and better every year. This year, we received a gorgeous half zip that was fleece lined, had a kangaroo pocket, and thumb holes. The medals were a little different than last year’s and huge and beautiful. There are belt buckles for those who achieve at least 100 miles. Then there are medals for those who place in their age groups and overall. Overall winners get beautiful crystal trophies and cold hard cash.
Why is this my favorite race? First, because of all the people. Their presence makes it great. Second, every time I leave this race I always think to myself, “I never knew I could do that!” This race will change you.
Tests your mettle!
This is the USATF championship race, but you don't have to be an elite runner to participate. You have to be a USATF member in good standing to receive awards, … MORE
This is the USATF championship race, but you don’t have to be an elite runner to participate. You have to be a USATF member in good standing to receive awards, but you do not have to be a member in order to participate. Basically, anyone can sign up, but only USATF members can win.
So, how does a 24 hour race work? It’s easy. You have 24 hours to run whatever you want. The elites will run 100 miles or more. Everyone else typically runs from half marathons on up, but you can run any distance as long as you complete one loop of about 1 mile. Many folks will use this race to reach personal goals of 50K, 50M, 100K, or just most distance ever. The goals are your own, but the USATF members with the most miles wins. Top three males and top three females will bring home cash money and lots of hardware.
This is a 24-hour race on an easy course along the shore of Lake Erie. While the scenery is beautiful, the weather is unpredictable, which adds a little excitement to the race. Be prepared for all kinds. The food is in abundance and has a huge variety to pick from. This is also true for the beverages. They consistently get rave reviews on the food tent/truck. They try to accommodate any special requests, too. They will also sell food to spectators and your crew.
You can be sure that the race director and staff are everywhere along the course and are busy making the event pleasurable all 24 hours. Since the course is in a park that is open to the public, they will go out and direct traffic, too. They’re the nicest bunch you’ll ever meet. They will cheer you on every minute.
You will have 24 hours to run your best and to make friends while you’re doing it. By the end, we are all just one big happy family. That’s really the best part. You’ll never make better running friends than you will here. The elite runners, as well as the rest of us, will run alongside with you when your steam is running out.
There are nice restrooms along the course. Real ones with flush toilets, sinks, soap, and showers. There is a medical tent as well as a foot-care tent. LOVE THE FOOT-CARE TENT!!
The swag is very nice. This year we got quarter-zip pullovers instead of shirts. The medals are gorgeous. And those who run over 100 miles get a buckle big enough to pull your pants off. For sale, they had shirts, custom headsweats hats and custom camelbak water bottles. The design is beautiful. These are things you’d be proud to wear and/or display.
As for accommodations, you are allowed to set up a tent to sleep or change clothes in. You can also set up a canopy for your crew and personal aid station. I don’t have a crew so I utilize the aid station they provide which is more than adequate. I don’t set up a tent. I just rent a van and live in that. The cars are kept as close as the tents so you always have easy access to your stuff.
I love this race because it is the true test of everything I’ve got. My first year, I beat my longest distance ever run by 33 miles! Who does that?!!! This year, I beat that when reached 100K. And, I know I can still do better. This race can beat you up with a smile.
It’s my favorite.
Tests your mettle
You run/walk/crawl as far as you can in 24 hours. The course is a one mile loop along the shore of Lake Erie. The beach is just a few feet … MORE
You run/walk/crawl as far as you can in 24 hours. The course is a one mile loop along the shore of Lake Erie. The beach is just a few feet away, literally. You also get a spectacular view of the Cleveland skyline.
It’s my favorite all-time race so far. It was my first ultra and I am addicted.
The aid station is stocked with tons of food and beverage that they change up every mile or so. And the breakfast is catered. You won’t go hungry and you won’t get bored with the menu. Never-ending comfort food buffet. The shirt and medal are a favorite of mine.
You can pitch your tent and park your car in the middle of the loop so you are never far from your belongings. Bring gear for all conditions.