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Jul 2, 2024

Cleveland Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.9

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 299 [displaying comments 91 to 101]

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V. M. from Northfield, OH, USA (5/16/2010) "Perfect for a PR" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The course shows the best of Cleveland and is nearly flat. The perfect weather made the 2010 race memorable. Excellent organization at the start and finish. There were 18 efficient fluid stations, though I wish there had been even more. In the long, flat straightaway to the finish line, I was able to kick it up and break 4 hours. A special commendation for the very visible mile markers.
K. H. from Chicago (5/16/2010) "Great experience" (about: 2010) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Great weather today, and I loved the course. I ran with two outstanding pacers, which added a lot to the experience. The crowd was sparse at times, but early on and at the end there were a lot of people cheering. Expo was great - got some nice gear. Medal is really neat. Only blemish on the weekend was the Crowne Plaza's refusal to allow a late checkout (unless you paid for a half-night stay); not sure the race organization can do much about that. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience.
R. D. from NY (5/16/2010) "Good Job, Cleveland" (about: 2010) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 I ran the half this year in Cleveland, as I am doing my fulls in the fall. Expo and packet pick-up are very well organized. The race itself is nice, but a majority of the course seems to be on concrete pavement, so train accordingly. A couple of hills, but nothing major. Awesome finish and the medal is damn sharp. Cleveland has their stuff together, and if you are looking to do the half or full, you won't be disappointed.
M. B. from Lake County, Ohio (5/16/2010) "Finally lived up to its potential." (about: 2010) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Absolutely loved today's race. The new course through Tremont was wonderful. Great crowds, music and volunteers. I ran this race 6 years in a row and was thinking of skipping it this year because the course and spectators were better at other races. Would have been a big mistake. Definitely coming back again.
J.S.T. Smalley from State College, PA (12/29/2009) "Much better than anticipated." (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 My first marathon, or organized race of any kind. I had a lot of adrenaline from the crowd of people and loved the high school bands and other musicians who dotted the course. I didn't anticipate this invigorating music, the very visible clocks at each mile, or the very frequent water/PowerAde/energy gel stations. Immediately following the midpoint, there was a small letdown due to so many half-marathoners finishing and the 3-mile dead-straight segment along the lakeside airport. This was only way to incorporate the beautiful Rockefeller Park wherein miles ~15-21 take place though, so overall course selection was pretty good. Final two miles were not as well populated than initial two though (again course planners lack many options here). The pre-race expo was exciting, as I had opportunity to talk with a running legend (first race bias, no doubt). I did not, however, partake much in post-race activities.
A. O. from Louisville, Kentucky (6/8/2009) "Average Race, Room for Improvement" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 This was my first full marathon, so I don't have a lot to compare it to, other than where I trained, in Louisville, and the Knoxville Half-Marathon I did. The Cleveland full's course, compared to where I've run before, was disappointing. The first half was nice, when we ran with the half marathoners, but after the split at about mile 12, it got worse. The course was really ugly and lacked spectators from about mile 13 to 16.5, and although it was along the lake, it wasn't scenic - next to a highway, warehouses, wire fences, etc. This was a low point for me. The park from about mile 17-20.5 was very lovely, and there were more spectators there as well. I enjoyed this stretch. After the park, though, we went through a boring urban area, pretty much until the end. The final mile was totally a letdown: ugly, and almost no spectators until just before the finish line. Also, for having a rock and roll theme, the music, or lack thereof, was totally a letdown. The aid stations were always well stocked, and the volunteers at the stations were mostly great, but at several towards the end they were quiet and I had to call out to find where the water was. The expo was fine. The post-race area was a little disappointing. There was also the problem with the timing, which is annoying and a stain on the race. The tech shirt was very nice and the medal is fantastic. I will always fondly remember this race because it was my first full, but I won't return to run it again. I will try to run a race with a better, more scenic course, as that is important to me. Pros: Nice tech shirt Wonderful medal Fast, fairly flat course Aid stations were frequent and well stocked Lots of porta-potties Cons: The course not exactly scenic Spectators were thin/non-existent in many places It's not a badly run race, and it's a fairly fast course, but if you want a more fun, memorable experience, I don't recommend this race.
B. K. from Canton (6/6/2009) "Overall a great race!" (about: 2009) 2 previous marathons \| 2 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 Overall, this was a very good race. The course improvements were all good. I think I read that Little Italy was not included due to construction, so if Little Italy and University Circle could be added in, it would be a great second half! It would make up for the neighborhood coming back into Cleveland. With the changes there is less mileage on the freeway, with more scenic west-side neighborhoods on the first half. I love the view from the Route 2 bridge over the river and lake! After the half-marathon split, I was suddenly alone, and most of the second half was run in silence. I am a pretty slow runner, and every time I passed a "music station," the same guy in the white truck was packing them up. It was like he was trying to prevent me from having any entertainment. The final time he was taking down the music at mile 24, the police crossing guard was saying to him that it was about time to move people to the sidewalk. That stunk. :) The pace groups were great! I was passed by the 5:30 pace group at about mile 25, and they were very fun about the whole thing and getting me in! Also, the finish line was better this year, as it did not look like an abandoned wasteland like last year. There was actually some food left, and a few after-race things hadn't left yet. I am still curious what was in all of those white tents at the finish that had nobody in them. The announcer was cool, as he was able to look up my name and town as I was approaching the finish line. Overall, though, everything was executed very well! A very smooth and fun marathon!
R. K. from Shaker Heights, Ohio (6/3/2009) "the first half was more interesting" (about: 2009) 6-10 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I am a walker from Cleveland. I have done full and half marathons. The best part was the view from bridges of the city and lake on a sunny day. Except for East Blvd., the second half was a boring. St. Clair is depressing and scary - why don't we run on Euclid? Food was gone when I reached the finish line. I finished in plenty of time.
J. S. from New York (5/31/2009) "Great race!" (about: 2009) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great, flat course. The weather was perfect (mid-40's at the start). Fantastic pace groups. Pretty well run. Cleveland didn't strike me as that interesting by itself, but a great marathon.
J. R. from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (5/30/2009) "Another Great Year for the Cleveland Marathon!!" (about: 2009) 11-50 previous marathons \| 3 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 2 I liked several of the changes that the organizers made this year to the Cleveland Marathon. I did not think that the organizers could improve on the great job they have done in 2007 and 2008, but they outdid themselves again.... 1. The new route (almost a complete reverse from the 2007-2008 route) made the course more enjoyable for me. (1) It allowed marathoners to get the "tough stretches" and long bridge inclines out of the way by mile 12, rather than later in the race; and (2) it removed a tough four-mile westbound lakefront stretch against the wind during miles 21-25 (this year it was eastbound at miles 12.5-16.5 or so). (3) It also included many interesting and diverse Cleveland sights, including stadiums, neighborhoods, the lake, and downtown. By far and away, this was the most well-organized marathon event that I have participated in. I have already registered for the 2010 event. 2. The expo was huge again, with plenty of space, services, exhibits, etc. The only small disappointment was the lack of live bands/music during the race, but since MP3 players are now allowed, runners can line up their own favorite bands during the race and listen to them. The post-race services were great again, with plenty of food and great facilities.

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