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Cleveland Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Cleveland, OH, USA
- Race Date: 05/16/2027
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Cleveland Marathon Description
The Cleveland Marathon is one of the 50 oldest marathons in America, drawing more than 11,000 runners to race weekend each May across the marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K. The mostly-loop, Boston-qualifying course starts and finishes at Mall B downtown, crossing the Hope Memorial Bridge into Tremont and Ohio City before an out-and-back stretch along the lakefront. Expect rolling terrain most of the way, with the toughest test saved for a steady climb up the Shoreway in the final miles. Pace teams help runners lock in a goal time from start to finish.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Cleveland Marathon Additional Details:
Cleveland redesigns its finisher medal every year, and runners can get theirs personalized on the spot at the post-race celebration area, turning a standard keepsake into something engraved specifically for that day. The finish line spread goes well beyond bananas and pretzels: chocolate milk, bagged chips, bottled water, and a lineup of chewy bars in flavors like s’mores and peanut butter chocolate chip await, alongside Gu gels in six flavors at aid stations along the way. As you cross the line, the announcer calls out your name and hometown to the crowd, a nice personal touch after that final climb up the Shoreway. Water and Nuun stops appear roughly every other mile, keeping hydration simple even for runners chasing a Boston time.
Course Information
Profile: Rolling Hills
Type: Mostly Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 7 hours (full), 4 hours (half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 3,500+
Marathon: 1,700 to 1,800
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 659 ft (200 m)
Elevation Loss: 659 ft (200 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 53°F
- High: 69°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Cleveland, OH, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Shopping
Ohio City Shops
Browse the shops and boutiques of Ohio City surrounding the historic West Side Market — an easy, flat, walkable stroll for a post-race souvenir after race weekend.
Museums & History
A Christmas Story House and Museum
Visit the real house from ‘A Christmas Story’ in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood, now a museum and gift shop — an easy, low-impact indoor stop after race weekend.
Sports & Entertainment
Progressive Field
Catch a Guardians game at Progressive Field, once ranked Major League Baseball’s best ballpark by fan poll — a relaxed, seated way to spend a game day.
Arts & Culture
Cleveland Museum of Art
See more than 45,000 works, from Monet to Warhol, at the free Cleveland Museum of Art in University Circle — a relaxed, indoor rest-day visit.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
See one of North America’s largest primate collections at the 183-acre Cleveland Metroparks Zoo — a flat, self-paced walk that’s easy on recovering legs after race day.
Landmark
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Explore 50-plus exhibits tracing the evolution of rock music at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the shore of Lake Erie — an easy, indoor, low-impact stop.
Food & Drink
West Side Market
Browse fresh meats, cheeses, and baked goods at the century-old West Side Market, an iconic European-style market with 60-plus vendors — a lively, low-impact stop.
Outdoors & Trails
Towpath Trail
Walk or bike a flat stretch of the 90-mile Towpath Trail along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal through Cleveland’s Scranton Flats — easy on tired legs after race day.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
See waterfalls and scenic overlooks at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, just south of the city, or ride the Scenic Railroad — a relaxed, low-impact outing.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Cleveland Marathon
Compare nearby hotels and book your Cleveland Marathon race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes
Other Races In Ohio
Boston Qualifier: No
World Major Qualifier: No
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: No