Need Cleveland Marathon opinions

Find another. Toledo Glass City is a better option. Cleveland is a training run through the concrete jungle.

1runnerboy wrote:

Find another. Toledo Glass City is a better option. Cleveland is a training run through the concrete jungle.

I had to back out of Glass City to tend to a developing hamstring issue and now looking for another race.

How hilly did you find the Cleveland course?

Chooser of Races wrote:

I want to use the Cleveland Marathon as a fall back race ...

No plan b. Kick butt in you A race. You got this.

Buffalo is a great course with nowhere near as much climb as Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Not sure what time you are looking to run so it might not be as competitive for you. The only major downfall is it's memorial day weekend so the weather can be a big IF. Last year it was beautiful running weather but it's been trending a little warm recently.

Seriously mate? wrote:

Buffalo is a great course with nowhere near as much climb as Pittsburgh or Cleveland. Not sure what time you are looking to run so it might not be as competitive for you. The only major downfall is it's memorial day weekend so the weather can be a big IF. Last year it was beautiful running weather but it's been trending a little warm recently.

I like the Buffalo race. The weather is a risk but it is still a possibility. Cleveland is a shorter drive with possible free accommodations with relatives.

The main problem is usually the sketchy weather. Recently, one year had rain, sleet, snow and hail during the race. The year before it was 80 degrees. Usually it's the heat though. One of the first weekends of the year where it gets warm around here.

Is that accurate? I ran the half several years ago, and I don't remember that much elevation gain.

The course has changed many times over the years. I ran the 10k last year which shares the first few miles with the marathon and I believe was the first year for the new course. It is quite hilly. Personally, I would pass.

Also, as others mentioned, the weather is very hit or miss.

Also you're stuck in Cleveland.

Unattractive course, and usually shitty weather with a lot of wind coming in off the lake..

Grandmas thon... just do it

It seems the Cleveland course changes every year although the 2018 course has only minor changes from 2017.

If spectators are important to you then I would run Pittsburgh over Cleveland.

If portable toilets along the course are important to you then I would run Pittsburgh over Cleveland.

If you need that extra 2 weeks to prepare for the marathon then Cleveland is your race.

Since Cleveland moved the race date to the 3rd weekend in May around 10 years ago they have been lucky

by having mostly cool temperatures on race day. There is a potential for brutally hot conditions in Cleveland.

Don't do Buffalo. Hotter then hell the yr I did it with 0 shade.

Three years ago I ran the 10k. I thought it was one of the best races of the 37 I ran that year.

It was pretty warm though and a lot of the marathoners struggled the second half.