It was a VERY hot day - not the organizer's fault - but the water stations were hit or miss. Some volunteers had set water out in cups and it was hot by the time they handed it to you. Very lazy, poorly run. All I could think about after mile 20 was drinking an ice cold chocolate milk at the finish line. But to my surprise they were all out of chocolate milk, ice cream, popcicles...there was NOTHING cold left after 3:45 in. Afterwards I heard that other runners that finished VERY fast (sub 3:30) were able to take several cold items. The volunteers were also passing refreshments out to KIDS THAT WERE SPECTATING! I paid $80 to run this race, didn't get any sort of goodies in the 'goodie' bag, and then after I finished all they offered me to cool down was a luke warm water and a bag of cheetos!!! A disgrace to the city, and to marathons in general! Do not waste your time on this race!

Although the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon and Half Marathon have walker divisions, I do not recommend this event for walkers. The Race Directors do nothing to discourage participants with walker bibs from running. In fact, the top 5 or 6 finishers in the half walker division ran across the finish line. For several years, walkers have made suggestions to the RD to stop this situation but we are ignored. I have been a pacer for walkers (and slower runners) and a participant for many years but never again.

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon was Number 50 in my quest to run a marathon in all 50 states (plus DC). Planned as such years ago as 'when I complete this quest I belong in the hall of fame - the Rock'n Roll Hall of Fame'. I was not disappointed! Race Organization was GREAT! Plenty of room in the start area to get to your correct position. Interesting course provided good views of the city, harbor and lake front. One uphill of significance was in the first half. Plenty of well manned water stations. Even a priest blessing us with Holy Water. Gradual downhill from 17 to 20. Excellent finish area. I'd vote for some REAL BEER, though. GREAT ROCK BAND at the after party. 26.2 and Standing TALL - Thank You Cleveland, I'll HIGHLY recommend your race to everyone looking to marathon Ohio!!

I wanted to add a May marathon at the last minute and chose Cleveland. It is a good, fairly well organized race with more positives than negatives in my opinion.

The expo was nice and good sized. If you forgot anything you easily could've purchased replacements. I listened to Joan Benoit Samuelson talk and got my picture with her. That was great.

The race begins and ends at Browns stadium. Before the race you can use the restrooms at the stadium and if weather is cold or rainy (not the case in 2012) escape the elements.

The course is nice but not great. It is advertised as flat and fast and for the most part that is true but there are a few hills the first half including a short and steep one at about mile ten. If you are running the full the second half is thankfully very flat. There is a fair amount of concrete that I did not expect. We run through a few nice neighborhoods, get a few nice views of the lake (especially miles 20-22) and a nice view of the skyline. We also pass the Indians ballpark. I did appreciate the downhill at the end.

There are only corrals for elite runners. Most of the runners just self seed themselfs so the first miles are crowded.

In 2012 it was quite hot and this tested the race organization. There were plenty of aid stations but with the heat these were often overwhelmed especially the first half with both full and half marathoners. The volunteers here were working harder than the runners just trying to keep up. They really deserved the medals. The water stops weren't organized and this contributed to the problems. Sometimes water was first, sometimes poweraid. All the cups said poweraid whether they were water or poweraid. Even without the heat I think these early stops may have been undermanned. I also would suggest having volunteers on both sides of the street at least for the first few crowded stops.

The second half of the race I was impressed with the race's response to the heat. All the water stops had someone with a hose to spray you down and there seemed to be lots of race officials on bikes to help the many runners who succumbed to the heat. I'd never seen so many ambulances or runners laying on the side of a road before. For the last two stops officials were yelling to all runners that it was now mandatory to take water. It seems to me the race director deserves much praise for reacting the weather.

I was disappointed with the fan support. This is a big city and the race is 35 years old so I expected a bigger turnout. Also almost no music in the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was suprising.

One real downside of this race was the $8 parking fee at the expo and $10 fee to park race day. Take that into consideration when budgeting for this race.

We got a short sleeve tech shirt and if the medal is important to you (it is to me) I think this one may be my favorite.

Race director can't do anything about sun & heat. No need to whine about extreme temps. PowerAde was hot & not drinkable. The layout of the course was okay but the roads were absolutely terrible. They must have looked for the worst roads in the city. The food at the finish line was bad. Bananas, bags of chips, fruit snacks, and water. Chocolate milk was gone. I saw an Eddy's ice cream truck but no ice cream. Did the half marathon people scarf all of the food or was it just poor planning?

The 2012 course was a combination of previous years courses. I agree with another reviewer that the start line was overcrowded with spectators & hard to find the pace signs.

The day before the race, volunteers were still being requested in the newspaper for the race which could acct. for the confusion at water stops. Water did run out at mile 4 when I got there. Suggestion: Always carry your own water esp. in the heat. Since I carry a water bottle, I was ok with no water at mile 4. And yes, more water stops were needed.

I did have more marathoners ard me this year than previous years could be the heat more people were going slower?

I assume the IX Center was chosen for the expo due to its location tho $8 for parking was IX Center fee. Several vehicles parked off the road to avoid the fee. Don't know why expo held there. Each year, expo location changes.

It would have been nice to have more food at the finish line as if you aren't a sub 4hr marathoner, little food left for you. And to add insult to injury, the Edy's ice cream truck was there but locked up :(

My wife and I have run Cleveland for several years. We will never run it again. Last year we both received no blankets because they had handed them out not only to 10k participants but also to children watching the race as we found out from friends whose children received blankets!
Then this year there was no cold water or ice at stations and some stations ran out of water! Even after the race the water they handed out was warm!
I cannot believe the media did not cover the multiple ambulances and runners that went down due to the heat and lack of planning. Just terrible.
As Cleveland natives and runners we would love to say we run Cleveland every year, but we will never do it again. The heat was not a surprise and we have run Detroit when it was hot and we were well taken care of at water stations with cold water. These races simply are poorly planned.

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.

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.

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.