Although the weather was brutal in 2002, the race itself was very enjoyable especially = for a first-timer like myself. The course was very flat, water stations were plentiful, and the field was was of decent size. On the down side, you are exposed to the elements the whole race. The course runs along the lake, so expect wind, and there was not much relief from the sun. Additionally, the crowd was a bit sparse once you got out of the city, but this allowed my wife to drive around to cheer me on at multiple locations without too much inconvenience. All in all, I give it two thumbs up and would run it again.

This was my fourth marathon and by far my best time. The course is fast, not as fast as Columbus but close. The fan support was lacking in sections of the course but overall was good. The expo is not that great and either is the t-shirt. However if you are looking sping marathon to qualify for Boston, I highly recommend it.

Great race: nice that the course was open longer, but need to work on finish line support and food for the runners first. I loved the pace teams for my 4 hour goal - hit it right on.

Expo venue needs work (kids run too late for my little guy - needs to be in the AM). Water stops were okay, but they could use a few more. Hope the course continues to improve with changes in the final miles and finish.

13.1 milea out and back. My family, as spectators, tell me that it made it really easy for spectators to get around because the course was realatively out-and-back. For a first marathon, it was increadable. I would run this marathon again in a heart beat. Supportive fans. a realitively flat course (though not 'FLAT' as advertized). There is no place I would rather run thatn the city I grew up!

This was my first marathon and for the most part, one that I would recommend to others. The course was very scenic from about miles 3 through 20, but the trip along the expressway left a lot to be desired as there were virtually no fans where they were most needed. The field was perfect (994 finishers) and the volunteers were great. Judging from other comments, in past years there were too few aid stations but that wasn't a problem in '03. The only other downsides were a lousy spread at the food table and two of the pacers (3:40 and 3:50) who went out far too fast. A word to the wise, the 3:50 pacesetter hit the half in about 1:47. Needless to say, she probably did more harm than good.

The weather was unusually cool and the wind was tough to battle during the 2002 marathon. The course is primarily flat with some minor inclines. Water stations were adequate, and the spectators were plentiful. Great job with the photography service!

Cleveland was my first marathon. I don't have anything to compare it to, but I definitely enjoyed the course. Being my first marathon, I was just hoping to finish and Cleveland is perfect for that. It's not a very challenging course. Being from Cleveland, I was glad to run in my hometown. I thought the subarbs gave great support, especially in Lakewood and Bay Village. I do agree with previous posts, the course could definitely be designed better.

Course: It's a nice, flat course -- good for a PR. It is out and back, which is kind of boring, and it goes through some less-than-scenic areas of Cleveland. It is disappointing that the course couldn't have included more of the many attractions in the Cleveland area (University Circle, Rockefeller Park, Edgewater Park, Little Italy, the Rock Hall, etc.). But if you just want to put your head down and run as fast as you can, it's not bad.

Organization: Fair. The course had many water/Gatorade stations. Traffic control was poor -- the course (remember, an out-and-back) was being opened to cars much too early. Post-race food was sparse.

Spectators: Pretty good, especially in the downtown and suburban areas. Through the west side of Cleveland, forget it.

As a Cleveland area resident, I'm really curious to see how the organizers of the Moondog Marathon (scheduled for spring 2004) can do better. The 2002 Cleveland Marathon was decent, but there's certainly room for improvement.

Good & Bad
Flat, Fast, vocal crowd support, good traffic control

Where are the goody-bags? 'Ran out'
Where is a good place to park 'Dunno?'
Where is the post-race food/drink?
'someone moved it...dunno.' no kidding!


I guess I expected more for the 25th
race someone told me. You know better food, better t-shirt, better medal.

If you don't expect much it is a good buy.

Need more water stops between miles 5 and 18, most of them were concerntrated at the beginning/end of this out and back course. Pretty course, but fan support sparce at areas. I would run it again.