Towpath Marathon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

matthew a.
shaker heights, OH

  (10-31-2009)

"This was my first full marathon, a great day and some amazing people! I ran the 1/2 on 08 and was hooked. Its beyond flat lots of water and aid stops. I look forward to doing it again in 10!!!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Tara P.
Lakewood, OH

  (10-31-2009)

"I loved this race and will definitely do it again... the scenery was beautiful, running on the soft ground was comforting for my knees, it was fun to see the runners going back along the same path, the shirts were great, and the food at the finish was healthy and delicious. Overall, I think this race was excellent! It was fun and well-organized with low environmental impact! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Nancy J.
Wadsworth, OH

  (10-28-2009)

"I loved the race. This was a lot of fun and the landscape was wonderful to run past. The only problem was the traffic getting to the race. We had to walk over a mile just to get to the finish. I will definitely run this race again."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Nicole G.
Akron, OH

  (10-28-2009)

"This was my first half-marathon and I was so pleasantly surprised on how amazing the experience was. I have run many other races (marathon relays, 5ks, 10ks) in larger cities, but this one really feels like a challenge with yourself. You are kinda "on your own out there", but that's the best and most rewarding part! The towpath is very flat and very fast. Plenty of room to pass and the limestone is wonderful. I trained at Sand Run which really got me ready to run this race and I will definitely be back next year to run the full marathon!!! "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Ken B.
Oregon, OH

  (10-28-2009)

"I have hiked this trail many times and ran the marathon once before in '08. The Cuyahoga National Forest towpath is the perfect place to run for me. My wife ran the half with 3 friends, and I ran the full with a friend. We met a large group of marathoners from Chicago who don't like the crowds of their home marathon and prefer the simplicity of Towpath. This event is what running should be about - enjoying nature, friends and family, a good cause. At one point early in the race you travel on a boardwalk over a swamp. A swan was there honking, and I felt like it was encouraging me. Who needs a million spectators?

I only saw one problem during race morning. The half marathon starts a couple of miles up the road from the marathon start. This meant that the early start half marathoners had to run through the crowd of 26.2ers. We had no idea they were coming and they had some difficulty navigating their way through. Some had to run or walk on the soft shoulder of the road which was not the safest way to travel."

Reviewed by a: Repeat Participant for 2009

Don B.
Kinsman, OH

  (10-28-2009)

"This was my first Marathon ever. I was only going to run the Half, but it sold out before I got registered in time. If you like running and you don't need the big crowds this is a great place to complete your 1st Marathon. I was not even training for this long of a race and was able to complete it. It is flat flat flat, and the crushed limestone was teriffic to run on. I can't wait to come back next year and run it again...this time I will train for it and can't wait to better my time. I would suggest this race to anyone. The people running the race and the participants were amazing!!!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

LM B.
Novi, MI

  (10-28-2009)

"race director is very accomodating and helpful. Beautiful course, but I wouldn't recommend for a first timer because this is such a small race. You don't have the thrill of crowds cheering you on. I gave crowds a low rating only because this is a trail and crowds cannot line the course. You are out there on your own. You have to like running in solitude to enter this race. Logisitcs are excellent. I like the fact that you can wait inside a building or your car on a cold morning. No hassles with parking or getting to the start line. Start and finish in same spot so you can walk to your car after the race. Course is on crushed limestone which is kind to your joints, yet I didn't find that it slowed me down. Its a completely flat course and you can PR. The course is two out and backs. You cross the finish line at the half way point which is one of the few places where you have crowd support. The people who were there were great. Lots of aid stations on course, with no lines."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009