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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: 299 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
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a. l. from chicago
(5/21/2007)
"Great 1/2 and Full" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my second time at Cleveland (first time running the full marathon); my first time was in the 1/2 marathon. I thought the course was lovely - although I agree with an earlier comment about running on the lake in the last miles; it was unpleasant. After shifting away from the lakefront path, running along the highway with at least the fence to shield the wind was an EASY trade off (not as pretty, but not as windy). But being futher inland would have been much better. We had plenty of wind and hills in the first six miles both years, no need to revisit that at the end. And that part of the course is not so different from the end of Chicago which is too often considered a prettier course. Chicago may have been one of the most unpleasant races I can recall being near (or running in) with the large crowds, obnoxious tendancies of some spectators and twisting turns at the end - and I'm a Chicagoan, born and raised. Cleveland was a great size, the involvement we had with the 10K was minor, which I think is a huge plus, and they were separated by cones when they did join us. I personally hate running into runners participating other (shorter) events because their speed is so slow, and too often they are mixed in with much faster marathoners. If it must happen, that's the best possible way. I think the expo was much improved from 2006, still small, but easy to find and its size made it easy to get through in a pleasantly. The water stations seemed better organized - just a little sparse in the first half. The Carb Boom options weren't great in the later miles, but I stopped relying on races for that a while ago. The marine who wouldn't let marathoners back in the corrals for water at finish line was odd ("one way traffic"), but a race official stepped in quickly. This is so silly... but a clearer finish sign would have been nice. Some of the mile markers seemed a bit off and I couldn't quite see the finish with my tired eyes with the crowds and slight curve. Those little bits at the end always feel bigger. Less silly is that while the elevation map captured some of the bigger hills, it wasn't quite accurate - but they RARELY are. Cleveland is often criticized for its emptiness and small races are also criticized for not being more like big races. But I really think that given its size, Cleveland does an outstanding job. Running in a smaller race means not being shoved by other runners so much, more reasonable race fees and hotel rates - you can't expect all the big race perks. Part of running in any city is getting a taste of what it's like. Though the bulk of the course was in the city's center, exploring some of the other areas, whether they were ALL beautiful or not (and many were) is all part of running through a major city. It's a little close to Boston for me to consider running the whole thing every year, but I will certainly return for the half, and probably at least a few more full marathons. | |
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E. K. from Cleveland
(5/21/2007)
"I had a great experience" (about: 2007)
2 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 I thought the volunteers were very helpful and nice, and also very encouraging. I loved the music and beer tent at the finish line. Also the music out on the course was a good pick-me-up. I would have liked to see more spectators at the further points of the course, but the ones who were out were loud and helpful! | |
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J. G. from Michigan
(5/21/2007)
"Great Marathon" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon. I had a blast. The fan support was awesome. I would definitely run this marathon again. Thanks Cleveland! | |
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J. B. from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/21/2007)
"Why all of the complaining?" (about: 2007)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran Cleveland for the first time this year (2007). I had heard horror stories about poor organization (port-a-potties), no fan support, and the course (hills and rough neighborhoods). As a Pittsburgher, I would love to trash the city of Cleveland or the race itself; unfortunately, I can't. The fan support was excellent (especially during the first half of the race). The weather was perfect - the breeze in your face between 19 and 23 felt great. The few bridge ramps were pretty long, but manageable. Coming down was a nice break. The part I enjoyed the most was the park loop that started at Case (all downhill). The few miles along the interstate were pretty long, but there was plenty of folks hanging around (it is a lakeside park). On the downside, the port-a-john lines were brutal (both before and during the race). Also, the great fan support early on could lead a novice to start out way too fast. I saw a lot of people in rough shape late in the race (more so than in other marathons). I can imagine the carnage if the weather were a factor. Overall, I will come back next year unless Pittsburgh hosts a marathon of own own. | |
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S. G. from Cleveland, Ohio
(5/21/2007)
"Flat course and beautiful scenery" (about: 2007)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 2 I really enjoyed running by the lake. The scenery was beautiful and there was a nice breeze. I was also excited about the blue PowerAde (my favorite flavor). Every big race I've been to only provides a lemon-lime flavored sports drink, so it was nice to have something different. Also, the course was relatively flat and fast. | |
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R. G. from Cleveland
(5/21/2007)
"Amazing course; good finish-line food" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 The lake-side course is truly beautiful, and the crowd support was really strong throughout Lakewood and Ohio City, on the bridge, and throughout downtown. Also, the selection of food at the finish line is AMAZING. ;) It's just one of the reasons I run this race. | |
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C. A. from Pittsburgh, PA
(5/21/2007)
"Well organized; nice course; spectators throughout" (about: 2007)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was the perfect first marathon. There were an abundance of hydration and aid stations, plenty of roving medics, and spectators throughout the course. There was a lot of energy and music throughout the race and the weather was almost perfect. I would recommend this race to anyone. Great job to all the organizers and volunteers that worked the race! Thanks! | |
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Terence Phillip from Dayton, OH
(5/20/2007)
"Whoops." (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 1 FANS: 1 Um, running an extra 3 miles on top of the 6 already planned was a pain in the... feet. Never again. | |
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N. B. from Rootstown, Ohio
(5/20/2007)
"Very well organized; great course and fast" (about: 2007)
11-50 previous marathons
| 2 Cleveland Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I ran the 1999 version of this race and swore I'd never return. That year, the prize purse was thousands of dollars to attract the elite. Well, the elite showed up but the organization and care for the runners was horrible. That has always been my worst marathon experience. Well, with the 30th anniversary upon us and a successful Flying Pig 2 weeks ago, I decided to give it one more try. COMPLETELY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE!! New course and a very FAST course. Race start was not over-crowded, with 75 bathrooms, and pace groups VERY easy to find to get lined up in the correct area (a problem in other marathons). I saw beautiful areas of Cleveland I never knew existed. Clocks at every mile, well-stocked water stops with plenty of PowerAde, great volunteers, a GREAT finish line experience with a live band, and now, my favorite medal. Gotta love the Michelob Ultra, too! Michelob Ultra and pizza weren't free but it wasn't expensive either... $3/beer, $2/slice. However, there was plenty of variety in the finish area for food. Not just water and pretzels. Very well stocked... clearly, they had good sponsorship and planning. My wife used the text messaging service and unlike Flying Pig, she got the text nearly immediately. They had the splits at 10K, 1/2 marathon, 30K, and finish. My wife really appreciated them because they told time, pace, AND expected finish time... very handy for knowing where I was! Great job, Cleveland! The only things that were so-so were the scattered crowd support and the tiny race expo. Outside of that, I'll return in the future! | |
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Kevin Byerly from Union, KY
(5/20/2007)
"Fast course" (about: 2007)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Cleveland Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 An enjoyable race today. Nice and cool and very light wind. Mostly flat with a few hills. I set my PR here after running 8 previous marathons. I really liked it! |
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