The Towpath Marathon is a classic fall race that starts in Canal Basin Park on the east bank of The Flats in downtown Cleveland and continues along the Towpath Trail. Along the course you’ll see Camp Cleveland, the Towpath Mounds, sweeping views of the Cuyahoga River Valley and the downtown …
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The Towpath Marathon is a classic fall race that starts in Canal Basin Park on the east bank of The Flats in downtown Cleveland and continues along the Towpath Trail. Along the course you’ll see Camp Cleveland, the Towpath Mounds, sweeping views of the Cuyahoga River Valley and the downtown skyline.
Canalway Partners hosts the Towpath Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K every fall in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Described as “one of the most beautiful race courses in America” by Runner’s World magazine, the Towpath Marathon showcases breathtaking segments of the historic Towpath Trail located between Akron and Cleveland.
The Towpath Marathon is one of few marathons that take place in a national park, and many consider it a unique specialty race due to the setting and time of year in which it is run. All proceeds from the event benefit Canalway Partners, an organization that has been actively developing and participating in a variety of events and projects to preserve, promote and educate the public about the area surrounding one of Northeast Ohio’s most valuable resources – our park system along the Ohio Canal.
The Towpath Marathon was established in 1992 to introduce the Towpath Trail as a new recreational amenity and to promote the establishment of the Ohio & Erie Canalway; in 1993, it was one of ten events that celebrated the completion of the Towpath Trail through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Since its inception, the Towpath Marathon has grown to become one of Northeast Ohio’s premier marathons, attracting an average of 1,200 participants and 3,500 spectators from more than twenty-seven states for a weekend of outdoor festivities and athletic competition.
The Towpath Marathon is a Boston qualifier, and part of the Great Lakes Marathon Series.
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Fun race with great scenery
It was a fun race with great scenery. The race had great views of the flats and downtown Cleveland. It also had great views of the steel factory (Cleveland Cliffs). … MORE
It was a fun race with great scenery. The race had great views of the flats and downtown Cleveland. It also had great views of the steel factory (Cleveland Cliffs). I participated and finished the half marathon it was fun and the weather was perfect.
Nice small fall race
- great volunteers and aid stations - followed strict covid-19 protocol - mostly flat, except for 2 bridges (~7% grade) - ran large loop 2x, and a smaller loop 3x MORE
– great volunteers and aid stations
– followed strict covid-19 protocol
– mostly flat, except for 2 bridges (~7% grade)
– ran large loop 2x, and a smaller loop 3x
-great fall colors
Great fall race
Running 95% in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on a flat, fast course during peak fall color season. Smaller size race with little fan support. MORE
Running 95% in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on a flat, fast course during peak fall color season. Smaller size race with little fan support.
Beautiful race
This was my first marathon. I picked it because this was a smaller race (thus less jumping around people, etc at the start) and because it is a combination of … MORE
This was my first marathon. I picked it because this was a smaller race (thus less jumping around people, etc at the start) and because it is a combination of crushed gravel and paved surfaces. Once you are past the first few miles people spread out and you do not have to dodge around anyone. Pretty flat with some small changes in elevation (inclines) but no major hills. The scenery in the fall is gorgeous! My only criticisms would be lack of food for full marathoners (first real food station was at mile 20/22!) and the fact that you have to run past the finish, to complete the last leg and head back to the finish. So hard to see the finish RIGHT THERE and run by it! There is not a ton of crowd support until the end, but it’s a beautiful race and I will do it again (I’ll just bring more of my own food)!