I’ve run the half twice. My all time favorite race. Nothing else compares the energy as you run through each neighborhood and the Akron U campus. You finish in the canal park stadium on the jumbo tron and there is a huge party after on the field. It is also the most organized race I’ve participated in. I’ve also done the relay multiple times and it is beyond organized.

I would recommend for the 10k or 5k but not for the full. I’ve run the 10k and it was fun and energetic. It was similar to most Cleveland 10k’s. Similar course as most.

However, I was underwhelmed by the marathon. I’ve been an enormous fan of all Akron events at the marathon. I was expecting the same type of energy. It was good in the beginning and some of the small neighborhoods like Ohio City and Tremont. But once you split off from the half, the full becomes extremely lonely. You run through city streets where there is no place for spectators and then the shore way. While flat, it plays with your head. I was around people again around miles 16-20. But then the last 6.2 were torture and again lonely. And to top it off you run that last .25 uphill on a freeway exit. Very few people at the finish line cheering as well. Lastly the weather in Cleveland during May is so unpredictable. The year I ran the 10K there was a heat advisory. The year I ran the full it was cold and rained and then the rain turned Into snow.

I was disappointed but would recommend the 10k and would assume the half is decent.

It’s not a huge race but received a medal, a big throw blanket, and a medal. It was only the second year when we ran it and it definitely needed some work. Running through downtown Canton was pretty quiet as it was a ghost town. It was cool running past the memorial. I haven’t done it since and I know they have changed the route.

I’ve run this twice. One with my husband and once alone. It starts at Edgewater Park. As unpredictable as Cle weather in April can be, it’s either a freezing start with the winds off the lake or perfect weather. The downside is that once you park, you do have to walk up a big hill to get to the start. There is a lot of sidewalk to warm up beforehand. It’s basically an out and back course through Lakewood. There is some gorgeous scenery with the lake and the old Gatsby style homes across from the lake. The other downer is that there is a huge hill to run up during the final mile. It is torture. Other than that it’s relatively flat. The finish line is great with more fantastic lake views. The “expo” is at the finish but very tiny. I love this race and will do it over and over. Plus the timing is perfect If you are stating to taper down for the Cleveland Marathon, or increase miles for the half.

I have run both the Cleveland (Spring) and the Boston Heights twice (Fall). I definitely love the fall race. The weather is historically gorgeous and the fall leaves are to die for. It’s quite but not lonely and practically all flat. The spring tends to be very chilly and I don’t love the path as much as the fall race.