Posted May 12, 200817 yr I thought I would start this thread for discussion of the Cleveland Marathon. I couldn't agree more about the marketing. Where is the sports commision?! City misses opportunity to sell race, itself better Monday, May 12, 2008 Zachary Lewis Plain Dealer Reporter The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is one of the oldest and fastest foot-races in the country. Yet for some reason, unlike many of its peers, the 26.2-mile event attracts relatively little attention, even in its hometown, and participation isn't what it used to be. Some say that's because Northeast Ohio simply doesn't care about running, that the region as a whole has eyes only for football, baseball and basketball. Others, though, attribute the low profile to the race's own personnel, claiming they're the ones who have yet to realize the marathon's full potential and rally the community....” To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: [email protected], 216-999-4632 http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/other/1210581076265890.xml&coll=2 What's great, what's not Monday, May 12, 2008 What's good and not so good about the marathon, compiled from comments by runners and running experts: THE PLUSES Logistics (getting there, parking, exiting) Registration fees. "Reasonable," one runner said Signs, mile markers Plenty of Port-a-Pottys Pre-race Expo at Cleveland Convention Center Post-race food The medals New timing system Quick posting of results Volunteer support Water/sports-drink stations (enough, well-run) Freedom to pick up packets on behalf of family and friends It's a survivor. After 30 years, "It appears as though it's headed in the right direction," said Jack Caress, director of the Cleveland Triathlon. "You don't last 30 years by being terrible." The half-marathon race. Added in 2005, the half-marathon distance has proven immensely popular. Last year, it was the largest division of the race. Cleveland Marathon Charities. The race's charitable arm gave out approximately $40,000 last year to local nonprofits. Economic impact. A study by Pittsburgh-based Forward Analytics said the race pumped $12 million into Cleveland. LESS THAN PERFECT Marketing, branding, promotion. The race needs a catchier name and logo. "You've got to do things just to have [people] remember it," Caress said. Prizes. One runner said the $1,000 prize for winning the marathon "isn't worth getting out of bed for." City/community support. "Sadly, I think people kind of expect it [little support]," said runner Gideon Oswitch. "You just get people complaining about the roads being shut down." Course layout. Some runners ask for a more scenic route, but race director Jack Staph said his hands are tied. In Cleveland, he said, "You're essentially an east-west course. . . . It's an ongoing discussion where they'll allow us." Shirts. Last year, some runners complained that only full marathoners received a sweat-wicking tech shirt. That concern should be addressed this year, as tech shirts are now slated to go to half-marathoners as well. "All of these little things . . . are important," said Jim Barnett, director of the Road Runner Akron Marathon. Scheduling. Holding the race in May gives amateur runners little time to train in decent weather, while others complain May in Cleveland can be too hot. But Barnett, whose Akron Marathon takes place in September this year, said fall races stand to lose runners to bigger races in Chicago and New York City. Goodie-bags. Runners want more than just fliers for other races. "Expectations are quite a bit higher than they once were," Caress said. Participation. While up, participation isn't what it could be. "It could be twice as big, easily," Oswitch said. "Twenty thousand people should be running it." http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/other/1210581162265890.xml&coll=2 Where outsiders spend their money Monday, May 12, 2008 Last year, all three hotels affiliated with the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon sold out the night before the race: Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade, Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The special room rate listed for runners at each hotel was $115 per night...
May 13, 200817 yr Since the article brought up the Free Press-Detroit Marathon, I think that one is real bad-ass because it covers two countries. How many different marathons can say that? (to canada via the tunnel and back via the bridge) And running is "up" all over the country. Look at the trends in registration in marathons and super-marathons (100 mi+)
May 20, 200817 yr I ran the half-marathon and loved it. I guess I loved it because I ran much faster than I thought I could. I've run the full Tow Path marathon twice and loved it. This is totally different. I really like the route and the amount of people that run and that hang out along the race route. I'll definitely do it again.
April 29, 200916 yr Overcoming barriers, Cleveland Marathon officials settle on May 17 race course by Zachary Lewis/Plain Dealer Reporter Wednesday April 29, 2009, 1:00 AM CLEVELAND -- Less than a month before the May 17 race, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has settled on a course. But if the announcement seems late or the news anti-climactic, don't blame the event's organizers. Like runners in a hurdle race, they've encountered one obstacle after another in addressing complaints that surfaced through a survey after last year's race. More at Cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/04/overcoming_barriers_cleveland.html
April 29, 200916 yr I wish they had a course that covered more of the city. Everyone deserves to be apart of the celebration and people should see as many communities, good, bad or indifferent as possible.
April 29, 200916 yr Why were they "frustrated" with Case's graduation? The marathon is ALWAYS the same day as Case graduation - it's not a new conflict.
April 29, 200916 yr I would hope the Cleveland Sports Commission can work in the future with the marathon. I have run 4 Chicago marathons and they go through so many different neighborhoods, and so many busy streets. If Chicago can do it, so can Cleveland.
April 29, 200916 yr I would hope the Cleveland Sports Commission can work in the future with the marathon. I have run 4 Chicago marathons and they go through so many different neighborhoods, and so many busy streets. If Chicago can do it, so can Cleveland. Exactly!
April 30, 200916 yr Ive run Cleveland twice. I think the first leg of the race is great on the west side, to and fro UC can get boring. I wish they ran through more neighborhoods like tremont as well. They always ask for runners feedback, and I told him to get a more catchy name. Akron Roadrunner and Cincinnati Flying Pig are two top 50 races, and they give a neat vibe with their names. I told him to get Winking Lizard sponsorship and name it that. I think that would be a great name. Also, I liked the starting point right near the avenue district, and suggested that we run the brand new Euclid Corridor project to get east, but he responded and said there is a deal that says we cant do that. I just dont understand, its one sunday morning.
May 13, 200916 yr Reminder, if you haven't signed up yet! Sunday, May 17th. RUNNING Cleveland Marathon Wednesday, May 13, 2009 When: Sunday. Marathon and half marathon races start at 7 a.m. The 10K starts at 7:15 a.m. Where: Downtown Cleveland. Race starts at East Ninth Street and St. Clair Avenue in front of the Galleria, and ends near City Hall at East Sixth Street and Lakeside Avenue. Registration: Online at clevelandmarathon.com. Late registration in person Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., at the Cleveland Convention Center, Hall D, 500 Lakeside Ave., Cleveland. No registration on race day. More at http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports-11/1242203436199160.xml&coll=2
May 13, 200916 yr Just curious .. why does the 10K offer a greater prize than the full marathon? Interesting. Maybe it draws a lot more contestants. I'm running in the half marathon and my wife is registered for the 10k. The course runs through Ohio City this year.
May 13, 200916 yr ^Either it draws more participants or it has more sponsorship money. I'm running the half.
May 13, 200916 yr I'm gonna be in town this weekend...guess I can squeeze in a quick 10K. I'll sign up too.
May 15, 200916 yr A runner's first race is memorable; the reasons and desire to run it -- more so: Cleveland Marathon by Bill Lubinger / Plain Dealer Reporter Thursday May 14, 2009, 9:50 PM They'll awake at dawn Sunday with no delusions of keeping pace with elite runners, winning prize money or setting any records. Not hardly. About a third of the 11,000 participants registered for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon or related races are first-timers, pushing themselves to run or walk further than they've ever gone. They'll spring from the starting line in downtown Cleveland with much more at stake: To honor a father. To celebrate a milestone. For a wife and toddler. For each other. More at Cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/a_runners_first_race_is_memora.html
May 18, 200916 yr Marathon Insider: Chilly morning welcomes a record field of running enthusiasts by Bill Lubinger and Pat Galbincea/Plain Dealer Reporters Sunday May 17, 2009, 6:31 PM CLEVELAND -- Jack Staph, executive director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon, said the event set a record with about 12,400 runners and walkers who registered for Sunday's marathon, half-marathon and 10K and Saturday's first-ever 5K. According to the event's Web site, the number of actual finishers was around 10,000: 416 for the 5K and 9,500 for the other three races combined. More at Cleveland.com http://www.cleveland.com/recreation/index.ssf/2009/05/marathon_insider_chilly_mornin.html
May 18, 200916 yr Some good reviews so far too: http://ramblingsofarunningaddict.blogspot.com/2008/05/race-review-cleveland-marathon.html
May 18, 200916 yr 1:48 half marathon. Considering that I didn't train too well, I'm very happy with this time.
May 18, 200916 yr 1:48 half marathon. Considering that I didn't train too well, I'm very happy with this time. Good for you! :clap:
May 18, 200916 yr I really enjoyed the race yesterday, the temp was cold while waiting to start but once running it was perfect. I liked how the Happy Dog was open and trying to get runners to stop in for a drink in the middle of the race
July 10, 200915 yr Cleveland Marathon attracts record number of runners Thursday, July 09, 2009 Trevor Hunnicutt Plain Dealer Reporter A record number of people ran the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon this year, according to final numbers released this month. The May 17 event, which included people running the half-marathon, 5K, 10K and youth races in addition to the traditional, 26.2-mile marathon, drew 12,400 registrants, 10,839 of whom finished a race... http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1247128362237051.xml&coll=2
May 17, 201015 yr Big turnout boosts event officials: Cleveland Marathon Insider By Joe Maxse, The Plain Dealer May 16, 2010, 7:29PM Boom town: The popularity of running may be on the downswing nationally, but you wouldn't know it based on Sunday. For the second year in a row the Marathon and accompanying events had a record number of entrants, approaching 16,000. The old record of 12,400 was set last year. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/05/big_turnout_boosts_event_offic.html
May 17, 201015 yr Does anyone know why Cleveland is seeing such a spike in participants Back to back years? Do we see this number going up even more next year??
May 17, 201015 yr ^There's more info about their marketing and the overall growing popularity of marathons in this earlier Cleveland.com article: http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2010/05/rite_aid_cleveland_marathon_no.html Doesn't seem to jibe with "The popularity of running may be on the downswing nationally" from the Cleveland.com article you posted, but who know if that's true. In any case, it's great to see this event do so well.
May 17, 201015 yr Does anyone know why Cleveland is seeing such a spike in participants Back to back years? Do we see this number going up even more next year?? Both the half and full marathons sold out well in advance. It will be difficult to increase numbers for next year unless they create more slots in the race.
May 17, 201015 yr I think that part of the spike popularity with the marathon comes from the Hermes Cleveland road race series, these events have generally been growing in popularity and are well run. Once somebody has a good experience running a 5k or 10k they will set their goals a little higher to the half or full marathon. They also have it set up so there are 2 good training races before the marathon, the 5 mile St. Malachi in March and the Cleveland 10-miler in April (which soldout this year too)
February 28, 201114 yr Maybe it's time I strap on some running shoes this year. Cleveland Marathon officials awaiting final approval on 2011 course Published: Monday, February 28, 2011, 6:47 AM Updated: Monday, February 28, 2011, 7:48 AM By Jodie Valade, The Plain Dealer CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sometimes change comes about slowly after endless plotting and planning. Sometimes change comes about quickly, in the blink of an eye. Sometimes it occurs both ways -- only because of the major construction of a Medical Mart in downtown Cleveland. Because of the Medical Mart construction begun last fall at St. Clair and Ontario streets, the course for the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon has to be altered for the May 15 race. Organizers have been working on the course alterations seemingly each day. But final approval still has not been granted by all parties -- though event officials are hopeful for the final course map within a few days. The plan is to change the start and finish lines so that both occur near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Cleveland Browns Stadium. In previous years, the start has been at St. Clair and East Ninth streets, with the finish at Lakeside and East Sixth Street. http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/02/cleveland_marathon_officials_a.html
May 14, 201114 yr Cleveland Marathon registrations are up over previous years. While touting this as good news (which it is), Cliff Pinckard of the Plain Dealer feels he must throw a negative commentary into it, rather than just present the facts (or provide balanced analysis). From the story. Emphasis added: "While registration itself is easier than ever, the days of treating the Cleveland Marathon as an afterthought are over. It's not a Boston, New York or Chicago marathon-- and never will be -- but with participation set to peak again this weekend at more than 18,000, it's clear the race is approaching the big leagues. Last year, the race weekend had 15,600 registrants." Its also factually wrong -- the marathon has 2,402 runners, up from 2,088 last year (assuming the graphic in the article is correct). http://www.cleveland.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/05/rite_aid_cleveland_marathon_ru.html
May 14, 201114 yr ^ The graphic is the number of people who finish the marathon. The over 18,000 number is everybody participating in all of the events combined.
May 14, 201114 yr What's implied is that the number of people registering for the MARATHON is 15,000. But my main point was, Cliff Pinckard, the author was trying to write a positive article---but had to state that the Cleveland race will never be an esteemed race. Of course it could be. Bigger prize, bigger names, its only a question of money, so it could be. I've heard of the New York and the Boston races---I never once heard anyone ever mention the Chicago Marathon (and I am a runner)---but he says we could never be that race either. WRITERS of this senseless negativity need to be called on for their work---its no longer enough to say, 'yeah, the PD is really negative'. Its made up of PEOPLE.
May 14, 201114 yr I really like the map this year: Lakefront, Flats, Ohio City, Detroit-Shoreway, Edgewater-Clifton, Tremont, Downtown, Euclid Ave (Playhouse Square, Cleveland State, Cleveland Clinic) University Circle, Rockefeller Park, Marginal Road, Asiatown...looks great across the board: http://media.cleveland.com/sports_impact/photo/marathonmapjpg-c5b1bc222a6ee384.jpg
May 21, 201213 yr VIDEO RECAP 20K+ runners http://www.newsnet5.com/dpp/news/local_news/cleveland_metro/kenyans-win-rite-aid-cleveland-marathon-event-sees-20000-for-1st-time-in-35-year-history
May 21, 20187 yr Controversy surrounds 1st place finisher in Cleveland Marathon Posted 9:49 am, May 20, 2018, by Adrienne DiPiazza, Updated at 11:39AM, May 20, 2018 CLEVELAND — Cleveland Marathon officials are looking into a technical rule after the second place finisher says the first place winner broke a minor race rule. Daniel Mesfun was clocked in as the unofficial winner of the 41st annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on Sunday with a time of 2:16:32. According to race director Jack Staph, the second place runner, who was in the lead for the majority of the race, thought Meslun, who was behind him, was running the half marathon because he had a shirt over his bib. http://fox8.com/2018/05/20/controversy-surrounds-1st-place-cleveland-marathon-winner/
May 21, 20196 yr Very sad story from the race the other day regarding a 22 year old female collapsing and passing on. https://www.cleveland.com/news/2019/05/medical-examiner-releases-initial-statement-on-death-of-22-year-old-cleveland-marathon-runner-taylor-ceepo.html As an avid runner, my body just giving out is always in the back of my head and is scary. I was racing the half on Sunday and this woman collapsed ahead of me. The final half mile was one of the most bizzare experiences ive ever been a part of. Coming down the detroit superior bridge, I see several athletes sitting to the side, whether cramped up or overheated. At the base of the bridge, the crowds pick up a ton and is cheering and energy is really high. Then i see John Adams from the Cleveland Indians banging the drum, then i see this girl getting chest compressions from the medical staff (all while the fans the John Adams have no idea whats going on), then the finish line is in plain sight with thousands of people cheering and yelling with athletes celebrating, excited that they achieved this goal, crying, etc. Just a wild wave of emotions. I cant think of another environment where such tragedy can hit and thousands of people are completely oblivious and just keep going about their business. I definitely was yelling F bombs when i saw them giving her compressions. Ruined the whole experience for me. very sad.
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