Course Map
About this Race
The University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon is a flat, fast course through the Ohio city on the shore of Lake Erie, running through downtown and along the lakefront on smooth, gently profiled roads. The level terrain makes it a reasonable personal-best target, with the lakeside stretches offering long, rhythmic running. Held in May, it typically delivers cool spring conditions, with lake winds the main variable. The crowds are friendly and the layout straightforward. It suits runners who want an accessible, fast Midwestern race in a cool-weather window without the scale of the majors.
Course Insight
Cleveland is a mostly flat May marathon along the Lake Erie shore, fast on paper with the lakefront wind as its main variable. The level terrain leaves pacing restraint to you on the open stretches. A breeze off the lake can build on exposed sections, so share the work in a pack. Spring conditions are generally cool. Pace it evenly and the flat lakeside route delivers a clean day.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 164m
- Elevation loss
- 164m
- Highest point
- 214m
- Lowest point
- 177m
- Net elevation
- 0m
- Start
- St. Clair Avenue Northeast and W. Mall Drive
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
- Men's
- 2:10:29 — Pavel Kokin (Russia), 2000
- Women's
- 2:30:15 — Tatiana Pozdniakova (Ukraine), 1998
Race History
The Cleveland Marathon was first held in 1978, growing into a flat, fast course through the Ohio city along the shore of Lake Erie. Its level terrain and cool May timing made it an accessible personal-best target. Rite Aid sponsored the race from 2003 until University Hospitals took over as title sponsor. From its founding it became one of the Midwest's established marathons, celebrating its 50th running in 2027. Held each May, it draws a steady field through downtown and along the lakefront.
Plan Your Trip
Everything you need to know to get there, get settled, and get to the start line.
- Nearest airport(s)
- Cleveland Hopkins (CLE), Akron-Canton (CAK)
- Best area to stay
- Downtown for proximity to the start/finish, the Flats East Bank for lively waterfront stays, and Ohio City for characterful, value options.
- Getting to the start
- The start and finish are downtown by the Mall; walk from downtown hotels, as it's a compact central course.