So I decided to get up early on a Sunday to get photos of the 2012 Cleveland Marathon - luckily the route came through my neighborhood. I'm the first to say - I am NEVER going to run a marathon (don't give me that 'never say never' BS); while I appreciate the notion of 'I wanted to challenge myself' or whatever reasons people subject themselves to running a marathon, I applaud them but not for me. That said, kudos to the runners - hope you had a good run (though I couldn't imagine running that far unless I was being chased by a pack of wild hounds or being rewarded with a few million - but that's just me).

 

Found a good spot - no runners yet, but a good shot of one of the landmark churches in Tremont - Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ:

 

Nearby building used to be a local theater; been abandoned for years and now seeing new light - they recently installed this stained glass piece:

 

I admit I'm not a runner - but I'm guessing these folks are clearing the route for the runners?

 

I felt bad for this cop; West 14th is a primary route so he had to do a lot of motioning 'turn your @ss around' and giving people directions:

 

After a while, we finally saw the first group of runners:

 

I was around the 9-mile marker - and from what I gather the winners had the lead from the beginning - maybe this is one of them?

 

 

 

Gotta say - if you're into just 'people watching', this is one heck of a place to do it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first batch of women competitors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Did I mention I was close to the 9-mile marker? Got lots of shots of runners doing the 'how's my time'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must admit, I didn't see anyone 'sweep the leg' but I can't attest to the rest of the route:

 

 

With any event like this, there are always those who dress up and have a little fun - I wasn't quite expecting a monkey, but who am I to judge?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Honestly if someone had informed me I'd just run 9 miles, I would not be quite as happy as this gentleman:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, I know it's early and I haven't had enough coffee but I'm seeing one of the Village People... right?

 

I know that with marathons, races, etc. that participants will write messages, etc. to get a message out - what this guy's message was, I don't know, but I wish Colin well :-)

 

Uh oh, I've been spotted!

 

Watch where you're pointing that thing!  :-o

 

 

 

 

Okay, among the observations I make - from a distance, I thought this gentleman seemed a little older than the rest of the group. Sure enough, he's part of the 'Dead Runners Society' - who knew such a thing even existed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great pics Mayday.  Its a really fun event. I didnt get to do it this year, but i do a couple per year.  I stopped doing full marathons in 2009 and I only do half's now.  A much more reasonable goal if you ever decide to try it. 

Great photos! Clevelander's look very fit

 

"... half's now.  A much more reasonable goal if you ever decide to try it."

 

To reiterate... for all the people who for whatever diabolical reason decide to run 10k, 13.3 miles or the full 26 circles/miles of Hell, I say kudos, bless their hearts, more power to them - whatever gets them through the night, whatever trips their trigger and I admire the physical prowess it takes to do that. Some very good friends of mine choose to indulge in similar events and I'm happy for them.

 

However, mark my words, at some point I may decide to exit a few of my various comfort zones, but running a half-marathon just to be able to say "woohoo, I did it!"? Um, no. Just not going to happen. I'm more than happy to take photos (and not lose a toenail or three doing it!) :-)

I'm headed to my 7th Chicago marathon, but ai just decided I'll run the Cleve next year.

 

 

Mayday, for a variety of reasons, I enjoyed those pics.

That's a lot of running.

UPDATE:

 

This gentleman from Kenya won the marathon, his career first!

 

And see the two in black? They got hitched after the half-marathon! http://photos.cleveland.com/plain-dealer/2012/05/cleveland_students_join_rite_a_9.html

Thanks for the pics!

I think maybe four or five, not forty-five, people pics would have conveyed the message for me of what the race was all about. If you've seen one sweaty, run-ragged, skin-flint go jogging by, you've seen a hundred!  :yap: