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May 10, 2024

Cleveland Marathon Runner Comments

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Course 3.9

Organization 3.9

Spectators 3.3

Number of comments: 295 [displaying comments 41 to 51]

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J. G. from Columbus, OH (5/22/2012) "FAST, fun course!" (about: 2012) 3 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 Granted, 2012 was a hot one (at least 80F at the finish), but that seems to be the trend this year! Course was FAST, volunteers were great! Anyone who has complained about the 'hills' on this course needs to get out more. I felt that I spent about 3min max climbing all of the 'hills' combined on this course. Downhills where you need them (especially miles 15-19). Aid stations could have been a little more organized, but overall good. Would consider returning to Cleveland. Great Spring marathon for anyone looking for a BQ/fast course or an affordable marathon.
A. B. from Atlanta, GA (5/22/2012) "Ho Hum" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This race has a lot of potential, but just not there yet. Much of the course tours through less-than-desirable areas with sparse spectator support. Pros: plenty of bathrooms (real flush toilets and sinks with running water) in Browns stadium at the start. easy to walk to start/finish areas from downtown hotels Cons: Not enough aid stations on second half of course. Weather conditions were very hot and water stations were 2-3 miles apart. It would have been preferable to have fewer aid stations early (where they were every mile or so) and more later. Major potholes in roads. Granted, this is beyond what race organizers have direct control over but it is difficult to run continuously on the uneven, bumpy terrain Post-race food was...meh. Some potato chips and water (no sports drinks, fruit, bagels, etc). Seems like the half-marathoners ate everything up before the marathoners arrived. Overall, a lack-luster race that I probably will not return for. Some other runners had the complete 'Cleveland Experience' when their vehicles got broken into during the race. The new casino downtown does not seem to be drawing the most attractive crowd into the area.
J. A. from Seattle, WA (5/22/2012) "Still a work in progress..." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 2 Hot one for 2012 - 69° start, & into the 80s throughout the race. After running Boston last month, & seeing how the B.A.A. put the runner first, & handled the situation (i.e. allowing runners to defer, adding MORE water stops so that they were at EVERY mile & on both sides, & adding more EMT course support), I was dissapointed how Cleveland handled their race when they KNEW all week what the temps were going to be. I like this course; flat & fast, but with a few hills to keep you honest. Very congested at the start. Begins at Browns Stadium & EVERY bathroom is completely full with long, long lines. When I did get into a bathroom, it was out of toilet paper. Spectators are allowed inside the stadium as well, & this just adds to the congestion. Then you have to go up escalators to the Gear Check, & walk back down a super crowded, long ramp to get to your designated start corral. The finish is worse. No recovery area for runners - there is about a 25yd finishers chute, then you are forced down a crowded street with carnival-type stands on both sides, & spectators / non-runners everywhere! Cleveland does not think about the runner, but instead this is more of a 'festival'. If you like the Disney-type races, or the Rock n' Roll series...you'd like Cleveland. Otherwise, I would recommend skipping it.
D. W. from Buffalo NY (5/22/2012) "Had an amazing time" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 It was a very hot day, but I think that the organizers were prepared for it .I was very impressed with the amount of water stations and the volunteers who were running the stations. The crowds were loud and cheered you on except after mile 14 it thinned out a lot. But that is when you have to find your inner motivation. If you are participating in larger cities marathons you know that you are going to have to pay alot for parking, but that should be expected. The medal and T-Shirts were awesome, I also appreciated the gift bag, except for the Tampons, which I will not use . This was my fifth Marathon and by far the best, have many great memories from this past weekend and hope to create more in future Cleveland marathons!
C. D. from Columbus, OH (5/22/2012) "Too Hot" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 You can usually rely on cool weather for the Cleveland Marathon. This year felt like a recent Chicago marathon. Last year's wind and rain was just a fond memory. I was fine until the concrete stretch on Euclid Ave. Give the water station staff a lot of credit. They worked hard to keep pace. As usual, the streets are very rough and you need to watch you footing. Starting at the stadium is great.
S. M. from Ottawa,ON (5/22/2012) "Meh...." (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 1 Cleveland Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 My 37th Marathon! My third in five weeks. I have some issues with the race but I liked: 1. The shirt: Coolness of shirts is the reason I don't do races in Canada anymore. This shirt was awesome and the medal... 2. Coolness of Medal: A spinning guitar. Amazing! My neice and nephew in TO are looking at it now. 3. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - great place to start and end race. Areas for improvement: Water Stations - they ran out at many stations in the beginning. It was a hot day and I had a camelback but unacceptable since they called for hot weather for a week. Ipods - I know, but hear me out. I saw too many collapsed runners asking for help and runners with earbuds running on by. I think they should be banned. I don'T wear them and there were atleast three times I stopped and waited for volunteers/ambulances to help the runners. More volunteers the last five miles would be good as well. 3. Showers - my hotel didn't extend the check out time and there were no gyms in the downtown core with shower facilities. Driving back 10 hours sweaty is not cool. I stopped at a truck stop an hour out of town and showered there. Maybe the organizors should cut a deal with Cleaveland state University to use showers like the TO marathon does with U of T? Sanjay
T. g. from Indiana (5/21/2012) "good but could be better" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 5 Well, lets make this simple...this race was HOT...no weather warnings along the course. I felt this race should have been Red flagged for sure..I ran the full. The course was good...if someone tells you this is a flat course, they are lying. This course is hilly for sure. The start was not organized very well at all. Bottle necked and 200 yards into the race I had to walk cause of the crowding. Expo was way out by airport and had to pay $8.00 to park..this was annoying!! This many runners, they need seeded corrals. I encountered walkers and I was in the 8:00 min mile pace range. people have suggested seeded corrals for this marathon for several years and the organizers refuse to listen...disheartening. Was a really cute girl holding up a 'I am single and supportive' sign....I wanted her number....if you know her..let me know! haha Pros- Cleveland was a pretty cool city Fans were good scenic course. Cons: No ice sponges-was hot!!! No seeded start for faster runners roads were really bad expo location and parking Probably would run this again as there are a limited number of good spring marathons...
P. M. from Ohio (5/21/2012) "Inadequate support" (about: 2012) 4-5 previous marathons \| 2 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 For a huge race, there were way too few water stations, potty stations, and medical aid stations (only one for the entire 26.2) to say nothing about very few spectators and little entertainment. This could be a great race but the organizers do not seem focused on supporting the runners. Too bad! Glad I only did the half.
M. H. from Near Albany NY (5/21/2012) "Hot, Very Little Shade and not enough Water" (about: 2012) 6-10 previous marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Despite the heat and a slower than usual time, this wasn't a bad marathon. They definitely could use more water stops. I always wear a belt, so for me was not an issue, others had problems. VERY hot and Very little shade. Did not like running with a TON of 1/2 marathon folks for the first 13.1, Nothing against them, just VERY crowded! My biggest complaint, hotel!!! Don't stay at the Hyatt...they claim to be 'runner' friendly,not so much. No frig, no microwave, no coffee maker in the room. Glad I was not paying full price. Would not recommend them to anyone! Front desk staff not very friendly either. Did not allow for any late check outs, so I had to ride 8+ hours without a shower. Not a fun time!!! Shame on them, I don't consider that 'runner' friendly BEST part - the medal! way cool! and if you run this...definitely go to rock and roll hall of fame! You will need a couple days to really see it all. But thanks to them, they gave marathoners great discounts. Course really not bad, only one big hill at mile 12. No shade was a killer though. Saw one too many people getting put into an ambulance. Had to run on sidewalks to get any shade from the buildings. If it wasn't so hot...would have been a much better run. Definitely worth doing! Would do again if I did not live 8 hours away.
D. R. from Cincinnati, OH (5/21/2012) "Great fun in Cleveland!" (about: 2012) 11-50 previous marathons \| 4-5 Cleveland Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is my fifth Cleveland marathon and I always have a great time. This year's weather was really HOT! I was impressed that almost all aid stations had hoses to cool off the runners! Also, the first half of the course had a lot of shade which was a plus given the very warm temperatures. The volunteers were WONDERFUL! Plenty of water, powerade, and GU. As always, the medals were really cool with a spinning guitar! Technical shirts were specific to the 1/2 or full (even had 13.1 vs. 26.2 depending on the race you were in)! I always stay at the Hyatt and did so again this year...they are very accomodating with the shuttles to the expo right outside the door and the pasta dinner right at the hotel!

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