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☰
Cleveland Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Cleveland Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 3.9 
Organization 3.9 
Spectators 3.3
Number of comments: 299 [displaying comments 111 to 121]
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J. F. from Ann Arbor, MI
(5/19/2009)
 "Gorgeous course - just a few tweaks." (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 First the positives: The course was absolutely beautiful. The changes they made really paid off!! The weather was beautiful and I PRed by a lot (though it was rather windy - that's what you get for being on a lake shore, however)!! A couple of other things: 1) I would have expected that they would have had a greater variety of food at the end. That was a little disappointing. I can get a banana at home. 2) I think that the mile markers need to be more conspicuous. Some of them had blown over, and I was not able to see them at all. It won't take much to make them a little bigger and more stable. 3) My last real gripe: Another member of my family is a walker and was also doing the marathon. Cleveland says that they are walker-friendly, and that the course is open for 8 hours. However, people began to be forced onto sidewalks and all of the aid stations were abandoned WELL before that time limit had come up. If you're going to say it's open for 8 hours, keep it open for 8 hours! Overall, this was a great race, and I had a great time. The city was beautiful, the organization was good, and the field wasn't too large. | |
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M. A. from Cleveland
(5/18/2009)
 "Upgraded course, fine weather, a great run" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The course was substantially the same as in years past, but run backwards. Excellent aid stations and volunteers. The finish area was moved and much improved. That plus the near-perfect weather made this race one of the better marathons I've done. | |
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P. B. from California
(5/18/2009)
"Nice race" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 The first half of this race takes you past the major sports stadiums and through the western neighborhoods of Cleveland. There are a few long-ish uphill stretches, one going across the Lorain Bridge. The half-marathoners turn off shortly after mile 12, and things start to get a bit lonely as the course heads east past the old lakefront airport, along the lake shore, and south through some lovely park areas. While the first half featured a revolving music playlist, there was very little music to be had during the second half, and the spectators were much more sparse. There are a few major intersections, and the Cleveland police did a great job of keeping the runners safe. Around mile 21, the course heads back toward downtown. The 2009 medal is very cool, with a revolving guitar and a brightly-colored ribbon. Post-race food was decent, with bananas, salty snacks, and ice cream bars available, as well as one complementary beer (canned). | |
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P. H. from Rochester, Michigan
(5/18/2009)
"Cleveland did well; great new course" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 The new course was flat overall, picturesque and well organized. The finisher's medal was one of the best, with a swivel guitar. All hotels were so convenient. Within 2 blocks, there was the expo center, start line and Starbucks. I had a great time, and will be back. | |
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M. C. from Bellbrook, Ohio
(5/17/2009)
"Cleveland Rocks" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This was my 20th marathon, and I have run a lot of the big ones. This one was my favorite overall. The course was flat and scenic, running through parks, historical home areas and along the lake. Organization was tops. THE MEDAL HAS A GUITAR IN THE MIDDLE OF IT THAT SPINS. This race blew away all of my expectations. | |
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B. A. from Burke, VA
(5/17/2009)
 "Very nice race; I wish there were more spectators!" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 Overall, I have to say this is a very nice race. It was well-organized, well-supported, everything happened as it was supposed to, and the course was surprisingly scenic. The new course for 2009 seems to take in all of the nicest parts of Cleveland, and minimizes the impact of the wind. The course is fairly flat, with just enough rolling to keep things interesting for the legs. I set a 20-minute PR here, and would definitely recommend this course to anyone looking for a PR or a BQ. One aspect which does need significant improvement is the fan support. The course is EMPTY of fans. What's more, since race organizers sell this race as a "rock" race, every so often there are speakers set up blasting music with one lonely volunteer sitting by the speaker. The whole thing was laughable and pathetic. It is very disappointing that Cleveland residents do not come out to support the race more. So there are some lonely stretches on the road. Overall, though, I would do the race again. | |
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J. B. from Westlake, OH
(3/10/2009)
 "Gotta knock the "Rock"" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Overall everything was pretty good. The glaring exception was the music (or lack of same). The Columbus Marathon that I ran (2007) made no claims regarding the music - yet there were several bands and the whole atmosphere was quite festive. As a native Clevelander, I was totally embarrassed by the quality of "Rock" provided. It made for a bummer of a run, and if anything needs to change for 2009, it's the "Rock & Roll" aspect. | |
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Linda Netherton from Toronto, Canada
(11/30/2008)
"We ran; they didn't rock!" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I understood there would be music along the course. I heard none! It was the Rock-less Rock and Run Marathon. The course was well organized. The pasta dinner was great - lots of dessert! The medal was great. The Hyatt Hotel hosted a high school prom - so it was a late night! Not ideal for the night before a marathon. | |
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L. G. from Cleveland, OH
(8/17/2008)
"Great race, expo staff could be better" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 This was my second Cleveland marathon, and I will run it again. I love the course, and I love my city! If you are planning to run this race, just be sure to visit the expo early before the race staffers run out of t-shirts that actually fit. The shirt this year was great, but 3 sizes too big for me to actually wear. | |
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E. W. from MI
(8/17/2008)
"Cleveland could do better" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 I ran the 2008 marathon. Here are my thoughts: 1. Reverse the course. Since Cleveland is supposed to be a fast course, the wind should be at your back and not in your face the last several miles. 2. If you are going to have a rocking marathon, then you need more music and louder. I could barely hear the music and a few of the music stations had the music turned off. You don't need bands, but crank the tunes so that Cleveland Rocks at more than a reasonable volume. 3. The expo was good and had a variety of exhibits. 4. The medal was great as was the food, etc. at the end. 5. I thought the course had nice variety and I appreciate getting to see Cleveland from a different perspective. 6. I know that changing a course is not an easy thing, but you may want to consider starting and ending at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is more scenic since it is on the water and more fitting since your theme is Cleveland Rocks. 7. The "Cleveland Rocks" theme is a good idea and sets your race apart from others, since Cleveland claims to be the birthplace for rock and roll. Play up that theme as much as you can. People like to run races not just to enjoy the run and the challenge but to enjoy the overall experience. You are on the right path. Keep it up. You can make this a top draw race. 8. I thought your website provided sufficient information and I appreciated the email updates. |
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