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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: 295 [displaying comments 81 to 91]
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Tim McGinty from Cleveland
(5/18/2010)
 "Making it a better race every year!" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This year's course and organization were better than last year's. Last year's was better than 2008's. And so on. Every year the race directors make significant improvements. They listen to the focus groups and all of the feedback from runners, and take good advice. They have created a culture of continous improvement. Every alteration, no matter how small, has made the course flatter, faster, and more enjoyable. I especially liked the 8.5 scenic, mid-race miles they put together along Lake Erie (headed east). Four out of five days the wind comes from the west and should be at the runners' backs. Bad luck, though, and we hit an odds-against-you headwind. Just wait until 2011. Having run this race in half of the years since 1982, I can say that this race is better than ever - from the new downhill start to the finish line party, band and beer garden overlooking the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. It's no wonder it's growing bigger each year and selling out! | |
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s. z. from cleveland
(5/18/2010)
"Great Race" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 It's a great race, thanks to the volunteers and the race organizers. The course and weather were wonderful. The only negative is that I received the same red tech shirt two years in a row. | |
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c. d. from Columbus, OH
(5/18/2010)
 "Good Smaller Event" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 This is a smaller race but well run. The field thins after the half turns off. The minor course changes this year added a new neighborhood, but you still run by the rock hall, sports venues, and lakefront. The weather was perfect, and this year the wind was reasonable and helped to cool us off. The only issue I see is that the last 5 miles tie up cross-traffic and there are a lot of frustrated drivers. I have done several large races, and sometimes it is refreshing to park close to the race and not spend hours on logistics. | |
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A. S. from Powell Oh
(5/17/2010)
 "Not impressed" (about: 2010)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 Extremely disappointed with the whole "Cleveland" experience, from the expo, to the hotel, and the race. Expo was small and workers very unfriendly and rude. The shirt is UGLY and you cannot tell if it was for the marathon. My husband ran the 10K and received a better shirt and goody bag. The hotel booked wedding parties on our floor. We didn't get any sleep! The pasta buffet was very bland, and they kept running out of food. The course has little fan support, especially for the 5 smelly, windy miles along the lake. Cars are allowed on the course; I saw a person almost get hit by a car coming out of a porta-potty by the airport. Police were escorting cars along the road in front of the airport and I had to stop to allow them through a fluid station. I have never experienced that before! You didn't know when fluids stations were coming up and the majority of them were on one side of the road. Very difficult at the beginning due to the halfers in the race. The path was not clearly marked, and it was hard to see mile markers. Two marathoners didn't know when the runners separated, and ran an additional mile to get back on the marathon course after merging with the halfers to their finish. It felt like the City of Cleveland was just happy to get your entry fee, and then was done with you. If you are looking for a race to run in OH, I highly recommend Cincinnati, Columbus, or Dayton. For those who have only run this marathon, you need to broaden your horizons. The only good thing was the medal. That was pretty cool, but I won't be running this one again. | |
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D. R. from Cincinnati, OH
(5/17/2010)
"Another great year for Cleveland!" (about: 2010)
11-50 previous marathons
| 3 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This is the third year in a row that I ran this race, and it gets better every year. I like the changes to the course this year. Also, the entertainment improved over last year. As always, the shirt and the medal were awesome. The organization at both the expo and race day were perfect. Also, I cannot say enough positive things about the race hotel headquarters at the Hyatt at the Arcade. Breakfast race box for each room and a 3:00 p.m. late checkout. They really know how to cater to the race participants. | |
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B. C. from Cincinnati, OH
(5/17/2010)
 "There are better Ohio marahons" (about: 2010)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 2 This was an ok race, but I don't think I'll do it again. The organization was not very good. The PowerAde and water were not in the same order at every water stop, and the water stops were very short, which made them very dangerous. The first water stop had the tables in the middle of the course and a bunch of people almost collided into each other trying to avoid hitting the tables. I never knew if PowerAde or water was going to be first so it was difficult to get what I needed. The spectators were few and far between. The few pockets of groups of spectators weren't even cheering. I was very disappointed with the lack of spectators and their lack of enthusiasm. There was one high school band and a group playing music on metal garbage cans that were very fun. I was very glad that I only ran the half and didn't have to go another 13.1 miles for this race. I've done marathons in 6 different cities and I think this was my least favorite. The expo was also very small. | |
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W. k. from ohio, usa
(5/17/2010)
 "no food at the finish line" (about: 2010)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I finished with a time of 3:38 and was shocked to find that there was no food; they only had water, chocolate milk, Gatorade, and snack packs of chips. The course support (including plenty of gels at miles 9 and 19) and volunteers were excellent. They also had clocks at most miles. | |
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A. Y. from Lakewood, OH
(5/17/2010)
 "Great job, Cleveland!" (about: 2010)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 This is a terrific race for the slower runner. This was my first full marathon, and I finished in the back of the pack. All 18 fluid stations were open, with supportive volunteers, and fully stocked with water and PowerAde when I came through. The two designated as gel stations still had plenty. The medics were still riding their bikes, looking for people who needed help. The police were still controlling every intersection. I appreciate all of this! The course is OK. I could do with more asphalt and less concrete, but such is life. The crowd support was excellent in spots and non-existent in others, but that's why we have headphones, right? (And the race does allow headphones.) Well done, Cleveland! | |
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A. M. from Cleveland, Ohio
(5/17/2010)
"Improved Route" (about: 2009)
6-10 previous marathons
| 3 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I ran the marathon in 2002 and in 2009. I must say, I love the changes that Cleveland made to the route! They made it more scenic and a little less hilly. Fan support could be better in some spots, but it's a great one to check out. | |
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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. |
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