Running News Daily

Cleveland Marathon: Will Loevner defends men's title, proposes to girlfriend after win

Will Loevner has captured his second Cleveland Marathon, and it was a special one.

Loevner won in 2 hours, 19 minutes and 44 seconds. The Pittsburgh man, who won last year in his first time competing, celebrated by proposing to his girlfriend in front of the crowd.

With his win, he qualifies for the coveted Boston Marathon.

The 47th annual marathon, which brings in hundreds of runners from all over the country and the world, took place this weekend in downtown Cleveland in warm and sunny weather. Hundreds of supporters cheered as runners crossed the finish line by Mall B.

In addition to the marathon, there were a half marathon, 10K and 5K races.

For Julianne Hill of Middleburg Heights, who ran in her fourth 5k during the Cleveland Marathon weekend, but her 92nd race over all. She said it felt “amazing to cross the finish line.”

“I’m tearing up,” she added. “It’s amazing every time. There’s people all over the route. No matter where you are, they’re cheering, they have signs. It’s just the best, I love it.”

Hill said after 12 years, this would be her last year competing.

“I’m going to run 100 races and I’m done,” she said. “I’m almost there.”

This was the first marathon for Veronica Wulw for Broadview Heights, who competed in the half marathon.

“For my 26th birthday, I decided to challenge myself to run a marathon for the first time,” she said.

“Going from from running on your own with no one else around you to being able to cross that finish line with other runners - it’s awesome to see everyone have the same passion and being one unit,” she said.

She added she hoped to return next year and compete in the marathon.

(05/20/2024) Views: 479 ⚡AMP
by Megan Sims

Cleveland Marathon winner Ashton Swinford looks to defend title for third year

Hudsonites might have caught a glimpse of Ashton Swinford in December as she dashed by the competition and snagged first place in the local Frosty 5-Mile race for the third year in a row (and with a 2023-course personal record of 28:53.)

But they might not have realized that they were also witnessing the running gait of a two-time Cleveland Marathon champion. This month, Swinford prepares to “flee to the Cleve” once again, to defend her title on Sunday, May 19.

Swinford credits her late-bloomer love of running to a stint on the cross-country team at Ohio Northern University. Her athleticism, however, was already prevalent during childhood, when she reached level 10 – the highest level – of the USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Program.

“My athletic journey started as a gymnast in second grade, and I stuck with gymnastics throughout all of high school,” she said. “I thought I was going to do gymnastics in college, but after my senior year, I decided, ‘I feel satisfied. I did what I wanted to do. I’m healthy. I want to focus on school.’”

While studying biology at ONU, Swinford began making friends with members of the university’s track and cross country teams. After some convincing, she joined the track team as a sprinter, but it didn’t take long to discover her knack for distance running. 

“Being a gymnast made me a pretty good hurdler and sprinter,” she said. “But the team convinced me to start trying longer distances. I joined the cross country team for social reasons, and from there, the rest is history.”

In 2018, Swinford and her husband welcomed twins into the world. She had continued running and was inspired by the women just like her – amateur runners with a diversified life outside of running – that she witnessed qualifying for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Less than a year after the babies arrived, Swinford could run a marathon non-competitively with a casual 3:12 pace. 

“Post-collegiately, and one of the things that I’m most proud of, is that I’m actually a much better runner now than I was in college. I have stuck with it, and each year I tend to get a little bit better than the year before,” she said.

Her budding distance prowess combined with an admiration for fellow “normal” runners competing on the world stage was the impetus for Swinford to start competitive running again. In 2019, after training harder and going further than she ever had, Swinford ran a marathon in 2:58, only 13 minutes shy of Olympic qualifying time. Her personal record marathon time is 2:44, which she ran at the Columbus marathon in 2023. 

Originally from Bowling Green, Swinford settled in the Cleveland area with her husband in 2015, after obtaining her graduate degree in physical therapy from the University of Dayton. Now a Hudson resident, she splits her time evenly between the roles of parent, part-time physical therapist and avid runner. She has mastered the art of multitasking: She fits in runs while her kids are in morning preschool, for example, and sometimes even squeezes in an afternoon workout.

Swinford’s community in Northern Ohio extends beyond her immediate family to her chosen family, CLE Racing, an “elite female running team representing Cleveland.” She serves as one of the team’s captains and values the supportive environment whether it’s race day, a group trail run or a kind comment on the group’s Facebook page.

“We all live in different parts of the Cleveland area,” Swinford explained. “We’ll meet at different parks or trailheads to train together and talk about races we want to do. We do volunteer events by supporting other local running events. It’s been a whole lot of fun to have a community of people with the same interests as me who can support each other in our running goals.”

Swinford looks forward to competing alongside her teammates in the upcoming Cleveland Marathon. Before the challenge of safeguarding her title in “The Land,” however, Swinford and some of her teammates are headed east to participate in what she said is the “first race people ask about when they learn you’re a marathon runner” –  the Boston Marathon.

“I’m glad to finally say that I’m finally doing my first Boston Marathon,” she said. “I don’t have a strong time goal because it’s such a tough course. I just want to finish feeling really good about myself.”

Despite her excitement to compete in Boston, Swinford’s most anticipated race is still at home, in Cleveland, which she refers to as “my hometown race.” As she crosses the finish line this May, Swinford hopes to run to victory with some of her biggest sideline fans: her CLE Racing teammates, her husband and, of course, her twins. 

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by Maddy Holman

Legacy runner, 86, to take part in Cleveland Marathon for 46th time

Is he the energizer bunny? Because, 86-year-old Jim Mackert keeps going and going and going.

Since the Cleveland Marathon began in 1978, he's participated in all 46 events. He's only run the half-marathon once, last year. And, he's doing it again this year. Though, it had to take some convincing.

"(Until) last week, I was still planning on trying to do the marathon. But the family has been telling me that I should go to the half-marathon," Jim said.

You see, it's not easy for someone like Jim, a three-time Boston Marathon veteran, to start slowing down.

"I somehow, I'm gonna get through it now. It may take longer, you know, but time doesn't matter anymore," Jim said. "You know, they time me with a calendar now."

This father of six and loving grandpa has always been a jokester. That humor has kept us laughing for years, and why so many feel inspired by him.

Jim was recently honored by the Lorain County Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame. That's nothing new, as he's regularly honored for his running.

But if you've ever participated in the Cleveland Marathon events, you've probably seen him around. That's because he's been volunteering for more than three decades.

He inspires everyone he meets and especially young runners. For those thinking of breaking into the marathon world, Jim has a message for you:

"Don't let people tell you you can't reach a realistic goal. If you had heard how many people told me that I couldn't do what I'm doing ... I still feel like I wanna run another 70 years."

We asked if he'd ever stop running.

"I prefer not to. I prefer to stop until I drop over," Jim said.

Something tells us, he means it.

If you watch the marathon this Sunday, look for Jim. This legacy runner is leaving inspiration on the course.

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by Lindsay Buckingham

Northeast Ohio twin mom training, hoping for repeat Cleveland Marathon victory

A Northeast Ohio mom is taking multi-tasking to the next level.

Between juggling her kid's activities and working as a part-time physical therapist, Ashton Swinford is now preparing to embark on the Cleveland Marathon.

It all comes after she won the race last year.  She's attempting a repeat scenario in 2023.

Sometimes she runs 90 miles a week.  From time to time she will even incorporate her kids into the mix.

She's encouraging others to follow their dreams and commit to making them happen.

As a mom of twin 4-year-olds—Hudson native Swinford is literally always on the run.

"My training revolves around my kids schedule, so I only run when they're asleep or now when they're in preschool," said Swinford, Cleveland Marathon 2022 Winner.

Running, subsequently, has become her escape and a form of "me time" away from her busy life.

In the past when she was trying to get some extra miles in, she was known to throw the twins in a double stroller, embrace the resistance and go for a spin.

"If I had to run twice in a day, I would do my shorter run by pushing them in the stroller. And that was something we did together, and everybody really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun. Actually, was a way to incorporate my kids into my training," Swinford said.

This year, she's preparing to lace up for the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon with runners from across the country.

It's where she will defend her title after winning last year's marathon with a remarkable 2:46:46 time.

The finish was a surreal and pivotal moment for the 33-year-old who took on long distance running a few years ago after her husband who ran cross country in college encouraged her to give it a shot.

"It definitely was a very slow, gradual process," Swinford said.

For Swinford—slow and steady really did win the race.

She didn't have overnight success, and it took years to perfect her craft.

She says support from her family and members of her all female elite running team called CLE Racing where she is a co-captain—help encourage her to be the best version of herself.

"I'm enthusiastic about it. I'm motivated. So I would say, yes, I'm ready," Swinford said.

Her message to those who have doubts or feel they can't do it—is simple and strong.

Be patient because each step will be worth it.

"Something that's worth achieving is going to take a lot of dedication, a lot of hard work. And there's going to be moments where you question what you're doing. But if you just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Step after step, you will get there," Swinford said.

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by Mike Holden

Successfully defending his 2021 victory, Jeremiah Fitzgerald wins the 2022 Cleveland Marathon

Lakewood native Jeremiah Fitzgerald finished the 2022 Cleveland Marathon the same way that he did in 2021: in first.

Fitzgerald successfully defended his win from 2021 by crossing the finish line on Sunday with a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes and three seconds. He finished more than seven minutes faster than Josh Baker of Solon, who took second (2:38.28).

Hudson native Ashton Swinford was the fastest woman in the marathon on Sunday, finishing in 2:46.46. Her time was good enough for fifth in the field as well.

Zach Case (2:38.51) finished third and Kenneth Sullivan (2:40.12).

Fitzgerald had a lead of almost four minutes after the first 10 kilometers and completed the first half of the marathon in 1:15.11.

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by Tim Bielik

Nearly 8,000 runners will race through Cleveland this weekend in a city tradition that began in 1978.

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon, a three-day event, extends beyond the 26.2-mile course. It attracts novice runners and those like 85-year-old Jim Mackert, who has run in more than 40 races since the event began.

Last year, the race was pushed back to October because of the pandemic. In 2020, it was virtual. This year, runners are returning to Cleveland.

University Hospitals will host a health and fitness expo Friday. The 5K and 10K races are Saturday. Half and full marathons will be Sunday.

The races will start and finish at Memorial Plaza in the shadow of the Fountain of Eternal Life statue on Public Square. The course will pass landmarks such as the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Center.

The runners who have registered are from nine countries and 47 states. They feature beginners and veterans like Mackert.

At 85, he runs five to eight miles a day.

“My wife and I raised six children, and when I got to be around 37, I was gaining weight, and I just didn’t like the way I felt, and I started back running again,” Mackert, a former paint store manager, said. “I felt so good, so I kept running, and I haven’t stopped since.”

The return of the spring marathon has Mackert and others excited. He has been running the race since it began in 1978.

He grew up in Lakewood, the youngest of 10 children who weren’t regular workers.

“Nobody in my family was really into sports because we were usually working,” Mackert said.

A teacher spotted him in gym class and recruited him to run cross country and track at Lakewood High School. He ran as a member of the U.S. Army at Fort Riley, Kansas.

He later met his wife and raised his family. But he had left running behind, until he decided to pick it up again.

He later joined local running clubs, like the Cleveland West Road Runners Club, one of the region’s oldest clubs. He also became the president of a running club in Lorain County.

Even during the pandemic, Mackert never stopped running and even virtually completed the last two marathons.

“I felt that if I continued to exercise that it was the best way to that I could fight off getting sick,” he said.

Mackert’s advice to beginning runners? Good shoes and realistic goals.

“What happens is that you hurt yourself trying to do more than you’re capable of,” he said. “Set a realistic goal, and you’ll be happy. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t reach that goal.”

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by Alexis Oatman

2022 Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon Opens Registration for its 45th Event

The Union Home Mortgage (UHM) Cleveland Marathon today announced that registration is now open for its 45th race to take place May 21-22 in downtown Cleveland.

After canceling the event in 2020 and postponing the ’21 event because of the pandemic, marathon organizers have worked closely with city officials to return the event to its traditional third weekend in May.

“We’re excited to build on recent momentum and excitement from runners, volunteers and sponsors to bring back this amazing race next spring,” said Race Director Ralph Staph. “Runners have shown they want things to be back to normal and we’re looking forward to seeing everyone back at the start line in seven short months.”

Mass gatherings have been sidelined for nearly two years and race organizers continue to work closely with health and safety officials from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and the State of Ohio to ensure maximum safety while giving runners the best that Cleveland has to offer.

More than 5,000 individuals participated in the recent event from all over the world, but 90% were from Ohio.

“This is a local event, celebrating local achievements and helping local causes,” Staph said.

Course and route information will be available early next year. Runners are encouraged to register early as events are expected to sell out.

For more information or to register, visit clevelandmarathon.com and connect with the marathon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon

One of the 50 oldest races in the country, the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon features the following opportunities: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kids’ Run and Challenge Series. Online registration and additional information is available at clevelandmarathon.com.

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by Running USA

2021 Cleveland Marathon will have its first in-person race in more than two years on Sunday

Thousands of runners will fill the streets for the first time in more than two years as the 44th Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon makes its in-person return on Sunday.

The coronavirus pandemic has strained the annual event, causing the race to go virtual in 2020. The marathon, half-marathon and other events are traditionally run in May, but this year they were postponed until the fall.

Runners are excited to be returning to in-person racing after such a long hiatus, said Jack Staph, the event’s president and executive race director.

“We’re one of the oldest races in Ohio, and it’s quite a tradition,” Staph said. “There are people who’ve run our race for many years. We’ve been met with nothing but excitement -- and caution. I mean people want to make sure that everything’s going to be OK.”

Staph said event organizers have worked closely with medical partner University Hospitals, as well as local and state health departments, to protect runners and volunteers.

Perfect running weather is in the forecast Sunday, with the high expected to be around 58 degrees with partly sunny skies, according to the National Weather Service.

The marathon and half marathon will begin and end at Public Square, with both races starting at 7 a.m. The 5K and 10K are set for Saturday at 7:30 a.m., and they will also begin and end at Public Square.

Approximately 5,500 people are expected to compete in the half and full marathons, with the route taking them through parts of downtown, Ohio City and Lakewood.

A virtual race option is also being offered for all distances if runners aren’t comfortable competing in person. Another 60 to 80 runners are estimated to compete in the virtual race, Staph said. Those runners will time themselves, and results will be based on the honor system, he said.

However, Staph noted race organizers are taking precautions to protect the thousands of runners who are competing in-person. Masks will be available, and organizers are recommending -- though not requiring -- runners to wear them at the start and finish lines. Volunteers will be required to wear masks during race weekend, and those who touch food or drinks will also have to wear gloves.

Social distancing will be encouraged as well, but because of the nature of the race, runners should be split up after the first couple of miles, Staph said.

Hand sanitizer will also be provided at Friday’s Health and Fitness Expo, located in the Huntington Convention Center. Sanitizer will also be available at the Gear Check tent Saturday and Sunday, according to the marathon’s website.

The Cleveland Marathon is not requiring runners to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test. The race’s organizers made the decision after consulting with medical experts and government officials, Staph said.

“The key is that we’re working with the state and county health departments and University Hospitals, and they haven’t indicated that vaccination or a negative test would be needed,” Staph said.

Staph said he’s excited to see the in-person marathon return to Cleveland, and he hopes the event can return to its usual time in May next year.

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by Cameron Fields

Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon Announces Return to In-Person Health and Fitness Expo

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon announced today that its Health and Fitness Expo will return in person to Cleveland this year. 

The expo, presented by University Hospitals, will be held in Hall A of the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland Oct. 22-23 and will precede the in-person race, which is scheduled for Oct. 23-24 downtown. 

The two-day event is free and open to the public and will feature race information, sponsors, screenings, apparel and other vendors, and more. Hours are 12 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23. All runners must collect their race materials during these times and show a valid ID.

“We are excited to once again host an in-person expo,” said Ralph Staph, Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon Race Director.  “This is another step toward returning to normal, and we are proud to be partnering with University Hospitals to host the event. This is an opportunity for all participants and their friends and families to pick up race materials, shop and interact with national and local supporters of the race.”

“We have truly enjoyed the opportunity to partner with the Cleveland Marathon again and celebrate the accomplishments of all the runners. Our goal is to help the participants experience a safe, fun and fulfilling race,” said James Voos, MD, Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery at University Hospitals, and Jack & Mary Herrick Distinguished Chair, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. “We look forward to helping welcome thousands of runners and volunteers back downtown for this important part of marathon weekend.”

Businesses interested in reserving a booth space should contact the marathon office at info@clevelandmarathon.com.  To learn more about the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon, please visit www.clevelandmarathon.com  

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by Running USA

New date for 2021 Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon will now take place in person on Oct. 23 and Oct. 24 in downtown Cleveland, organizers announced Monday.

It was originally scheduled to take place the weekend of May 15-16.

“We are thrilled to have a date for our in-person event and can’t wait to welcome our runners, volunteers and spectators back to Cleveland,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon. “We remain confident in our health and safety plan that has been developed with local and state health officials and University Hospitals, and we thank our runners for their patience and understanding.”

Registration is now open.

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon is one of the 50 oldest races in the country.

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by Julia Bingel

Cleveland Marathon will hold Virtual Events May 15-16

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon’s virtual races will be held May 15-16, 2021, giving participants the opportunity to run the following race distances anywhere, anytime during those days:

Full and Half Marathon, 10K and 5K.

Challenge Series (includes 5K/Half Marathon, 5K/Full Marathon, 10K/Half Marathon, 10K/Full Marathon). The races must be run two consecutive days (one distance per day).

The marathon encourages runners to document their training, progress and results on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and to use hashtag #IConqueredMyLand. Runners can also submit their results from May 15-20 when they complete their events and can upload a finisher’s photo if they choose. The link to post results will be live on www.clevelandmarathon.com beginning May 15.

“Races across the country – and around the world – have pivoted and adjusted to the pandemic by postponing in-person events and offering virtual options, and we are no exception,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon. “COVID has changed many aspects of our lives as a whole. Social distancing has brought us closer together in many respects, and the same is true with virtual races. Friends and relatives train and run together virtually across the miles, which they would not have done with in-person only events.”

All virtual runners will receive a t-shirt and medal. Challenge participants will also receive a third medal and a Cleveland Marathon duffel bag.

The health and safety of runners, volunteers and spectators are the marathon’s top priorities, and the team will continue to work closely with city, county and state health officials, as well as its medical partner, University Hospitals Sports Medicine, to hold an in-person event this fall that is safe for all who participate.

A specific date has not been set yet for the fall as the marathon team is actively working with the City of Cleveland on scheduling a date that will not conflict with a Cleveland Browns home game. An update is expected once the 2021 NFL schedule has been released. 

Registration for the in-person event in the fall has been paused until a date is set. However, registration for all virtual races is now open on the marathon’s website.

The marathon team appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as they coordinate logistics for the 2021 race. More information, including updates and health and safety protocols, can be found on the marathon’s website and social media channels.

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2021 Cleveland Marathon has been postponed due to pandemic

For the second straight May, the Cleveland Marathon won't be taking place in-person, with the event announcing on Monday that it has decided to postpone until the fall due to COVID-19.

This year's Marathon, which is sponsored by Union Home Mortgage, was previously scheduled to take place on the weekend of May 15-16. A new date for the marathon and its corresponding events will be selected after the 2021 NFL schedule is released so that it doesn't conflict with one of the Cleveland Browns' home games.

“While we are disappointed that we must postpone race weekend, we are doing everything we can to hold an in-person event because our runners deserve it and we appreciate their patience,” Jack Staph, executive director of the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon, said in a release.

“Our team is dedicated to hosting a safe, high-quality race as we have done for decades, as well as virtual options, and we look forward to gathering together again in the fall. We are confident in our health and safety plan that has been developed with local and state health officials and University Hospitals.”

The Cleveland Marathon is also now offering the following options for runners who deferred their registration from the 2020 event to 2021:

Participate in one of the 2021 virtual events in May or the fall of 2021

Participate in the 2021 in-person race in the fall

Defer to the 2022 race (scheduled for May 21 & 22)

Additionally, those who registered for the 2021 race have been given the following options:

Participate in one of the 2021 virtual events

Participate in the 2021 in-person race.

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by Ben Axelrod

Cleveland Marathon has a new title sponsor, Union Home Mortgage

"We are proud to be headquartered in the Cleveland area and believe in investing in our community to make it a better place for all of us," said Bill Cosgrove, president and CEO of Union Home Mortgage, in a statement.

Union Home Mortgage is an independent mortgage banking company based in Strongsville, Ohio.

"The marathon has exceptional leadership and has been a hallmark event and economic driver for our region for decades," Cosgrove said about one of the oldest marathons in the United States.

The Cleveland Marathon was founded soon after Union Home Mortgage got its start in 1970.

The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon is scheduled to be held in person on May 15 and 16.

Last year's marathon, sponsored by Rite Aid, was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the marathon was run virtually, according to Cleveland.com.

Helped by technology and low interest rates, Union Home Mortgage has grown during the pandemic.

The mortgage banker has recently added sponsorships for the Gasparilla Bowl and PGA pro Jason Dufner.

In July, Union Home Mortgage said it would add a third building to its Strongsville campus and create 450 jobs by this summer, thanks, in part, to receiving Ohio Job Creation Tax Credits.

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by Mary Vanac

Runners can compete in a virtual race at Cleveland Marathon

The 44th Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon is canceled in physical form, though runners can compete in a "virtual race" or defer their participation to 2021 or 2022. 

If you've gotten used to running outside at a socially distant pace, this year's marathon will feel familiar.

Scheduled for May 16 and 17, the 44th Annual Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon and the events surrounding it have been converted to a "virtual event" due to the COVID-19 epidemic, race organizers announced Wednesday.

Race participants may also defer their participation to the 2021 or 2022 races.“We love our runners, and we know that so many of them have been training hard for our race in May,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon.

“We share their disappointment and frustration. However, we know that this is the absolute right decision to protect the health and safety of our participants and the community at large, which is our No. 1 priority.”

While a postponement may have been expected, finding an alternate date in the fall proved difficult due to unknowns surrounding the Cleveland Browns schedule, which is released in April, and other events, the race said. 

Shirts, medals and duffel bags will still be mailed in June, and participants may log and submit their miles any time between April 15 and May 17 at the location of their choice.

Since you can pick your location, you can run the normal parade route, but we suggest running through — or at least training at — these three Northeast Ohio parks with great hike.

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by Dillon Stewart

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon announced today its registration date and new features for the 43rd running event

The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon announced today its registration date and new features for the 43rd running of Cleveland’s premier race, which will take place May 16-17, 2020, in downtown Cleveland. More than 50,000 runners, volunteers and spectators are expected to participate in activities throughout race weekend.

The 43rd Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will feature a more streamlined race schedule, with the 10K being moved to Saturday of race weekend, and the 1-Mile and 8K races being eliminated.

New Features.- The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is pleased to offer four new Challenge Series levels in 2020, providing new options for runners and walkers who wish to challenge themselves with two events over a two-day period. The Challenge Series offers four event combinations and levels of difficulty:• 10K and Full Marathon • 10K and Half Marathon • 5K and Full Marathon• 5K and Half Marathon*Please note, as mentioned above, the 10K has been moved to Saturday, May 16. There is no longer an 8K as part of the series.To be included in the Challenge Series and receive its benefits, participants must register under one of the four Challenge Series 2-Day Distance Combos. If they register twice for two individual events, they will not be included in the Challenge Series. 

Additionally, participants will now have the opportunity to choose from one of four Challenge Series levels and, for the first time, be eligible for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Championships in 2021.

Additionally, the Cleveland Marathon has been chosen as a qualifying event partner of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Wanda Age Group World Rankings.

The AbbottWMM is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon. 

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Kenya´s Edwin Kamaiyon made his American racing debut by overtaking two-time champion Philemon Terrer near the 24-mile mark and held on to win the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon

Fellow countrywoman Margaret Njuguna, 49, finished first in the women’s marathon in 2:45:31. Local entrant and last year’s winner Sarah Horbol, 32, of Westlake finished second in 2:48:21.

Kamaiyo and Njuguna each earned $3,000 for their wins. 

In the men’s marathon, Kenyans Terrer, 33, (2:23:36) and Kipkoech Ruto, 30, (2:26:22) finished second and third, respectively. Finishing third in the women’s race was Joan Massah, 29, of Kenya with a time of 2:49:30.

Approximately 15,000 runners participated in the 42nd anniversary of the race on a warm day where temperatures reached into the 80s. All three Sunday races – 10K, half-marathon and marathon – started just outside the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and finished on Public Square. Race weekend included the 1-mile, 5K, 8K, and kids race on Saturday. Walking divisions were offered in all three Sunday race distances. 

Additionally, two participants took part in the hand crank wheelchair division. There was also a Challenge Series, which gave competitors an opportunity to compete in more than one race over the weekend.

“It was great to see the city come out and support the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon on this bright, sunny, albeit warm race day,” said Jack Staph, executive race director, Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. “The atmosphere created by the tens of thousands of participating runners and spectators city was electric.”

In addition to the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the runners’ tour of Cleveland included passing by landmarks and popular neighborhoods such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, FirstEnergy Stadium, Great Lakes Science Center, Tremont and Ohio City, West Side Market, Playhouse Square, Edgewater Park and Public Square.

Beyond the weekend’s races, tens of thousands of racers and health and fitness enthusiasts visited the Health & Fitness Expo at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland on Friday and Saturday. The weekend’s activities resulted in an approximate $18 million economic impact for the city.

Kenyan Dominic Korir, 26, won the men’s 10K with a time of 29:17.

 

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82-year-old Jim Mackert will be the oldest runner in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon race, he has ran all 42 of them

Jim Mackert is no spring chicken. He's an 82-year-old marathon runner. The legacy runner has run 65. And, he's the oldest person running 26.2 miles in this year's Rite-Aid Cleveland Marathon.

Crossing that finish line in May means that Mackert is the only person to have competed in all 42 of Cleveland's marathons. 

"Determination. Desire. I enjoy it, I enjoy the people that I see there," the father of six said.

Mackert is a master. Not just with running. He's mentally tough as nails, which has propelled him to push through injuries to qualify for the Boston Marathon three times.

"When I went in 2007, I was 70 years old and in training I pulled a muscle doing my hill workouts," he explained. "But I said I was going no matter how my leg felt."

And, he did.

These days, Mackert racks up about 40 miles a week. He was, however, getting attention long ago, even appearing on Channel 3 back in 2000 with Jimmy Donovan when he was 63 and gearing up for his 23rd Cleveland Marathon.

Mackert has no plans to slow down. He says he's fueled by his family, while inspiring others on his path.

"I feel good doing it. And as long as I feel good doing it, I try to keep doing it," Mackert said.

(03/22/2019) Views: 2,255 ⚡AMP

Running makes me a better mom, a better partner, a better human says Melissa Chamberlain

Melissa Chamberlain always thought marathon runners were nuts. She certainly never thought she'd become one. "I was not born to run," said Chamberlain. "I didn't like running. I didn't like sweating. I didn't like being outside." But she also was looking for a way to stay in shape. Despite the time crunch that comes with being a working mom, she started small and realized she kind of liked it. "I did the Shamrock 5K in 2010 and that was my first 5K and then I got bit by the bug," said Chamberlain. "I just do it for fun. I do it to stay healthy. I like to run to show the kids that it's important to train for something and stick with it." She ran the Cleveland half Marathon on Sunday May 20th for the seventh time since 2010. "I have always aspired to be one of those runners that has a training plan and sticks to it every single day, but life happens and kids get sick and extracurricular things happen and you just can't always get out when you want to, so you just do the best you can," said Chamberlain.  Whether it's getting a run in on her lunch break or logging some miles on the weekend at Stevens Park in Niles, she says one of the most important parts behind all of this is simply getting some "me" time. "You just have to kind of make that time for yourself. And I honestly think it makes me a better mom. It makes me a better partner. It makes me a better human because I get that time to do something that I really love and then I can get back to life," said Chamberlain. She fully admits that she's not the fastest person out there; she walks when she has to and isn't worried about competing for a win. For her, it's about the experience on race day. (05/21/2018) Views: 1,902 ⚡AMP

Linius and Josephine train together in Kenya, they just arrived on Friday and they both won in Cleveland

Linius Kiplagat and Josphine Wanjiku train together in Kenya, and they shared the joy of victory in the men's and women's 10K races, respectively, at Sunday's Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. Kiplagat, 24, and Wanjiku, 25, are in the United States for the first time, and will stay for the next three months. They arrived in Lansing, Mich., on Wednesday and got to Cleveland on Friday.  Kiplagat finished in 29 minutes and 4.87 seconds. He started quickly and separated himself from the field after the first 2K. He said he wasn't bothered by the light rain. "It's my second road race," Kiplagat said. "It was a nice race. I felt confident. It was cold, though. This is my first time here. There are nice people here, friendly." Isaac Mukundi (29:23.51) and Dominic Korir (29:25.53), both also from Kenya, finished second and third, respectively. Wanjiku led wire-to-wire, finishing in 36:32, ahead of runnerup Jessica Odorcie (36:37) of Perry in Lake County and Melly Watcke (37:06) of New Bremen, Ohio. "I felt good," Wanjiku said. "Rain, but the course was good. They are nice people here. "I had an advantage because I was prepared for the hills. I'm happy, because it's a win, here for the first time in America. It's a big achievement. I expect more wins." Edwin Rotich won the men's race in 28:58 last year, and Gladys Kipsoi led the women in 33:28. (05/20/2018) Views: 1,690 ⚡AMP

Shelby Jones is running her 100th Half Marathon May 20, half of these in the last 12 months

Shelby Jones has been running half-marathons for nearly a decade. She was a sophomore at West Geauga High School in 2009 when she completed her first. Since then, Jones has kept at it. That is until the last calendar year, when she’s been in overdrive. She won’t stop until May 20. On that day, Jones is set to run the half-marathon at the Cleveland Marathon. It will mark Jones’ 100th half-marathon. For some runners, that number takes a lifetime to reach. Jones has done it in a decade.  Her last 52 have occurred in the last 12 months.  Needless to say, it was a hectic few weeks for Jones since she has run 17 halfs in the last few weeks. At one point, she ran eight half-marathons in a week, including three in a 27-hour period. The first was a 4 a.m. race in Albert Lea, Minnesota. The second was a 9 p.m. race the same day in Indianapolis. The last was a 7 a.m. race the next day in Middleville, Michigan. (05/16/2018) Views: 1,752 ⚡AMP