Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Heather M.
Lakewood, OH

  (05-25-2010)

"This was my second marathon, as my first was Pittsburgh and not a great experience. I was looking for "redemption". Well, the first half of the course was great, flat and lots of spectators. The second half was BORING. Especially miles 12 to 16 and then 20 to 26. I expected a lot more out of those last miles!
When I finished the only things offered to me were chips and water. Nothing else. No bananas, power bars, bagels, nothing. I had finished under 4:30, and I figured that to be a respectable time, so I thought there would be more fuel at the end. Plus, there wasn't much hype at the end. I had just finished a MARATHON and was a little disappointed in my hometown for the lack of encouragement and congratulations.
Be aware of the lack of port-a-pottys, too. There were always lines because of the small amount offered.
If you're looking for a flat course with minimal spectators in the 2nd half this race is for you."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2010

Lauren S.
Willoughby, OH

  (11-26-2009)

"Not a very spectator-friendly course, but overall a flat, fast course. A lot of the 10k is along the lake and through near-east Downtown, so the wind off the lake can be a little harsh. There was supposed to be music every half-mile to mile because the course overlapped with the half-marathon and marathon course, but it didn't seem like many of the bands showed up. The course was clearly marked with arrows for the 10k, 13.1, and 26.2 courses, but the 10k started later than the longer races, so there wasn't much overlap with the runners. TONS of good post-race food... the usual water, fruit, and granola bars, but also yogurt, ice cream, popsicles, chocolate milk, Vitamin Water, and more!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Justin J.
Columbus, OH

  (08-17-2009)

"The expo was pretty good with alot of free-stuff being given out, including a LOT of food.

The race itself left alot to be desired. The "entertainment" was supposed to be a different type of musical era represented at every mile... but at some miles it was a speaker under a tarp that was silent and a sign next to it describing what was supposed to be playing. Also, the porta-potties were not very frequent which posed a problem, as the drink was Powerade and was terrible.

The spectators were fine downtown but were non-existent for miles 13-24. The turn back towards downtown at mile 19 was terrible as it puts you right into the wind with 7 miles to go... that was rough.

And yes, I could have had one free beer at the end of the race but my stomach was so messed up from the Powerade that I couldn't stomach it.

The finishing pictures also left alot to be desired and were taken at a bad angle.

The course itself was flat for the most part and offered some excellent views of the city, but the wind was killer. "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2008

Elizabeth M.
Columbus, OH

  (08-12-2009)

"This was my second marathon and I had very high hopes! The first half of the course consisted of lots of running up and down highway ramps and actually running on a highway (closed to traffic) which was cool. Unfortunately the second half, about miles 11-18 were pretty much desolate. The only other people I saw were racers or traffic police. I long downhill on MLK Blvd drained my legs and by the time I got to the lakefront path, I had pretty much checked out mentally and physically. If you don't care for crowds, it is a great race but if you like to have people and places to look at, I'd recommend passing on this marathon."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2007

Larry P.
Cleveland, OH

  (05-29-2009)

"This was a fun race. The weather cooperated this year; no rain, not to hot and not to cold. And when the weather is as nice as this, not only does it make the race enjoyable, but it also favorably impacts the crowd.

Lots of entertainment on the course which, for the most part, was very scenic. I think that the couse could probably be made more scenic by putting in more sections by the lake or in the park areas and less inner city stretches (complete with their ankle-breaking pot holes).

Organization was excellent, the traffic cops were good at controlling traffic around the runners (from what I could tell), and the course was cleanly marked with lots of support at each mile. And the support teams at the water stations were energetic, excited, and enthusiastic.

Oh, and a really cool, honkin', guitar-rotating medal for all finishers (a reference to rock and roll)

Overall, a fun little race that has grown up to be a fun big race.

Two big toes up!"

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Pamela A.
Canton, OH

  (05-21-2009)

"I really enjoyed the Cleveland Half Marathon. My boyfriend and I ran it together. While there were a lot of people, it was a manageable amount of participants (think around 10k). The crowd was pumped, the runners energized, the course was nice (a little hilly last 3 miles). I would definately run it again!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009