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☰
Towpath Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Towpath Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.7 
Organization 4.2 
Spectators 3.5
Number of comments: 201 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
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Pat Dooley from Cleveland, OH
(10/11/2009)
"Perfect, small, fall marathon" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I often train on the towpath but had never run the race. In 2007 I ran Grand Rapids and BQ'd. I loved that race. Towpath had a similar feel, albeit on a smaller scale. The half sold out and the marathon was nearly full, so the race is increasing its popularity despite competition from the well-run Akron Marathon. They change the course around each year, but I really liked the way it worked this year. The half had a separate starting point and course, which was essential because you are running on a five-abreast trail with two out-and-backs. We saw the half runners coming back as we headed into the second half of the full. The lack of spectators is made up for by the two-way traffic. You see your faster buddies coming back from the turn-around and vice versa - twice. Fall foliage was just turning: beautiful. I saw a herd of deer just yards away: great. The crushed limestone trail: easy on the old legs. BQ'd by seven minutes: Perfect! | |
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B. H. from Fort Wayne, Indiana
(10/11/2009)
"Excellent smaller marathon" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 Today (10-11-09) was my 10th marathon, and one of the best I've ever been involved in. Yes, I'm probably biased since I set a PR by 23 minutes at a 3:44, but part of that was due to the marathon itself. There was a great combination today of mid-40's temps, a very flat course, well-staffed aid-stations, and nice conversation and encouragement from other runners. The expo was sort of pathetic, but the packet pick-up was easy and well-organized. Only one complaint: before the race, most runners (including me) were waiting in pretty long lines to use the restrooms inside the ski lodge. After we finally got through and headed to the starting line, we passed about 8-10 port-a-jons on the far end of the parking lot, with no one in line. I think it would be good to either let people know they were there, or to move them closer to the lodge's main parking area. Outside of that, though, everything went really well. | |
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b. r. from cleveland ohio
(10/11/2009)
"Too few porta-potties at start" (about: 2009)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 So the half-marathon sold out, and the 10K started at the same location, and there were only 10 porta-potties?? Seriously? I waited in line for 25 minutes this morning to use the "can" - and when the start bell rang, there were still lines of people waiting. Were race organizers surprised by the number of people at the start?? | |
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K. B. from Oregon, OH
(10/11/2009)
"Great run for the money" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If I can BQ on this course - and I did - then you know it has to be fast. I took the shuttle from the host hotel and had no problems the rest of the morning. There were more than enough water stations with a variety of liquids and solids: water, Gatorade (strong, not watered down), something called Heat (?), GU, bananas, and probably some stuff I missed. My second time running Towpath and I highly recommend it. I met many runners from northeast Illinois who refuse to pay high dollar just to have a million-spectator and 40,000-runner downtown-Chicago convergence. Take their advice and run a nature marathon through a national forest. Great job, Towpath! | |
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J. H. from Cleveland
(10/11/2009)
"Organizational gaffes all around" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 6+ Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 There is no question that the scenery is beautiful. But the race organizers need to get with it; there were several issues: 1) Way too few porta-potties. I counted no more than 25, and this is for more than 2,000 runners! Many runners started late. 2) No room to finish. Seriously, you had maybe 30 feet in the pen to finish. 3) I couldn't hear any of the announcements on the sound system. 4) I couldn't know when the race started. By my watch it started more than five minutes late 5) Giving out frozen bagel halves and half of a banana is a little weak for the post-race food giveaway. I guess it depends on your expectations. I was expecting better organization from a race that has been around for such a long time. | |
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J. D. from Ohio
(10/11/2009)
"Good race but runners need to follow TAC rules" (about: 2009)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 The race is good, but most of the run is on a path. Because of this, runners need to follow proper passing rules to avoid accidents. On three occasions, I was passed too closely (less than two strides) without the other runner looking. I had to change my pace. On another occasion, a runner stopped in front of another runner at the water stop, almost causing injury. | |
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s. g. from Chicago, IL
(7/24/2009)
"Excellent marathon" (about: 2008)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran this marathon last October and couldn't have asked for more! By the end it got pretty hot (80 degrees), but everything from start to finish was lovely. The organization was superb and the aid stations were well-stocked. Everybody was friendly and supportive. The course, although out and back, was gorgeous. I've run a few larger marathons, and I'd choose this quaint little event in a heartbeat over those. | |
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John McDonnell from Cleveland, Ohio
(11/27/2008)
"Beautiful course: soft surface, shaded, scenery..." (about: 2008)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Towpath Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 If you are looking for a flat, shaded, scenic course through a well maintained national park in the center of a quaint village, that is well managed with plenty of water stops/aid stations/bathrooms along the way, look no further than the Towpath Marathon. The people running the event are extremely kind and friendly. There is plenty to do in the Cleveland area the entire weekend, whether race related or not. The half marathon, marathon, 5K, and trail run all end at the same spot, so bring all levels of running partners with you. It is a loop course, which helps the spectators, and I would rather run by a meadow, trees, or various rivers twice than through a city. Truly, a remarkable event. You won't be disappointed here unless your main reason for coming is the expo. I have enjoyed The Towpath Marathon/Half/5K event for the last five years and can't imagine there being a better event. | |
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T. E. from Pittsburgh, PA
(11/23/2008)
"Great "small" marathon on a trail." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 October 12, 2008 was my 2nd Tow Path Marathon out of 24. I will do it again and would recommend it if you're looking for a small marathon on a trail. It's a very scenic run in a National Park; it's flat, so you can qualify on it, although most fan support is in one location (at mile 15 and the finish). Enough aid stations on the course. Need more port-a-johns at the start. Expo was good. Fun family activities at the finish. | |
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V. N. from New Washington, Ohio
(11/12/2008)
"Fall Marathon in Ohio - Perfect" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Towpath Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 What could one expect for fall in Ohio but beautiful and colorful scenery? A plus was that the starting temperature was cool and it was over before it got hot out. You never know what you will get temperature-wise, but this year was perfect. The course was flat and fast - just what I wanted and needed. This was my second time running this marathon and I was not disappointed. The water stops were well manned and encouraging. Yes, one later stop ran out of Gatorade, but that happens, unfortunately. A problem I had was at the end. As I was running through the people on both sides, I had to ask how far it was and which way to go since there wasn't anyone there to guide me. Other than that, it was a sunny day to spend running through the woods. |
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