Towpath Marathon

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS & VITAL INFO

(Please note the 2020 Towpath Marathon, half marathon, & 10k are taking place on revised courses in the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canalway Reservation).

Race Day
Where to Park & Spectator Locations
Course Descriptions & Maps
Aid Stations
Frequently Asked Questions

The conclusion of the Towpath Trilogy

Featuring marathon, half marathon & 10K race lengths

Race Day

Sunday, October 11

6:30 am – HALF MARATHON WALKERS start at the intersection of West Canal and Cloverleaf Rd on Lombardo Drive in Valley View. Parking available at Quaker Steak & Lube in Valley View and Cinemark 6001 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125.

Please follow directional signs and allow for time to walk less than a mile to your start line. Course Marshals will be on site to help direct.

7:00 am – HALF MARATHON RUNNERS start at the intersection of West Canal and Cloverleaf Rd on Lombardo Drive in Valley View. Parking available at Cinemark. Address: 6001 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125. Please follow directional signs and allow for time to walk less than a mile to your start line. Course Marshals will be on site to help direct.

7:00 am -10K RUNNERS start at Lower Harvard/Jennings Rd. Cleveland 44109-Park in BASF lot near start line (look for yellow signs/red letters (Towpath Parking) and parking volunteers on site directing traffic. GPS Address: 4002 Jennings Rd. Cleveland OH 44109.

6:00 am – FULL WALKERS start at the bottom of the driveway of the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Address: 4524 East 49th St. Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125

7:00 am – FULL RUNNERS start at the bottom of the driveway of the Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation Address: 4524 East 49th St. Cuyahoga Heights, OH 44125

7:30 am – 1:00 pm Bus shuttle service begins near finish line (please look for yellow busses and smaller shuttle from the City of Valley View. 10k runners back to parking location at Lower Harvard & Jennings Rd. in Cleveland, Half runners back to parking lot at Cinemark and full runners back to parking lots in the Cleveland Metroparks Canalway Center in the Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation.

8:00 am – Patio Bar Opens
8:00 am – Award ceremonies begin and continue at regular intervals throughout the day

Course closes at 1:00 pm

Parking

Marathon Runners are to park at Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canalway Reservation. 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125

Marathon Walkers are to park at Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canalway Reservation. 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125

Half Marathon Runners are to park at Cinemark: 6001 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125.

Half-Marathon Walkers are to park at Quaker Steak & Lube in Valley View and Cinemark 6001 Canal Rd, Valley View, OH 44125.

10K Runners are to park in BASF lot near start line.

Parking Notes

Runners must be on site, in the parking lot for the race by 6:00 AM. Roads will close promptly at 6:30 AM.
We have limited parking, please carpool when possible.

Shuttle Service

The bus shuttle service runs from 7:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Runners are responsible for getting themselves to the start line.

Spectator Locations

Finish Line – located on West Canal Road. Park at Cinemark and cross street. Be mindful of runners on Towpath between 7 am – 8:00 am Please do not stand on Towpath Trail for beginning of the race.

Between the White Bridges that cross over Warner Road. Near Bacci Park Below Kreiger Canalway Center – Take I-77 to Grant Ave.. Head west on Grant Ave. Turn left on E. 49th. Go approx. 1/2 mile and turn right into the Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canal Reservation. From the parking lot, walk down the hill to the trail.

Towpath Marathon Course Descriptions

Towpath Marathon Course Description

Marathon Runners are to park at Ohio & Erie Canalway Visitor’s Center (4524 E. 49th St. Cleveland, OH 44125) lot. The marathon race course includes mile markers and directional signs for your convenience. Water stations and portalets are identified. Marathon signs are white with black letters.

Marathon Run starts at 7:00 AM.

START: Driveway of Ohio Erie and Canal Reservation

– Start race on drive by CanalWay Center
– Runners will follow mile marker signs (White signs/black letters)
– Run up driveway to E. 49th Street
– Turn right onto E. 49th St
– Turn right onto the Towpath Trail past Nook Industries Inc.
– Head north on Towpath Trail toward Lower 40 Loop Trail
– Stay to right – along Canal
– Continue on Trail towards Harvard Ave Trailhead
– Turn Around (A) – (1st time, 4.7M)
– Head back south on Towpath Trail – bear right
– Slight right on Lower 40 Loop Trail – along river
– Turn right onto Towpath – run south – along canal
– Continue on Trail – over 2 bridges- These bridges rise to 30 feet above the roadway at each point and include a 7% grade.
– Continue on trail toward Old Rockside Rd
– Turn Around (B, 10.75M)
– Head north towards Harvard Ave. Trailhead
– Turn Around (A) – (2nd time, 16.5M)
– Head south on Trail – bear right
– Slight right on Lower 40 Loop Trail – along river
– Turn Left onto Towpath – run north towards Harvard Ave – along Canal
– Use loop at bottom of hill – Turn Around (C, 20.75M) – run south
– Head south on Trail – Bear right along River
– Slight right on Lower 40 Loop Trail – along river
– Turn Right – on Towpath towards Old Rockside – run south along canal
– Continue on Trail – over 2 bridges- These bridges rise to 30 feet above the roadway at each point and include a 7% grade.
– Continue on trail toward Old Rockside Rd
– Turn right to finish in parking lot.
FINISH: Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works

Marathon Course Map

Marathon Walkers

Please park at Cleveland Metroparks Ohio & Erie Canalway Reservation. 4524 E 49th St, Cleveland, OH 44125

We allow full walkers to start the race at 6:00am and Half walkers to start by 6:30 AM.
Walkers must complete the course by 1 pm.

Towpath Marathon, Half Marathon Course Description

On Cloverleaf Drive in Valley View (North of the intersection of Cloverleaf & West Canal Rd.) runners will have a little less than a mile walk from Cinemark parking lot so please allow time to get to your start line. Roads close shortly after 6:00 am. Runners follow mile marker signs (Yellow signs/red letters)

START: Corner of Cloverleaf Pkwy. & West Canal Rd.

Turn right on West Canal Rd.
Turn around at Old Rockside Rd. onto Towpath Trail, run north (1.3M)
Run over two white suspension bridges. These bridges rise to 30 feet above the roadway at each point and include a 7% grade.
Head north on Towpath Trail toward Lower 40 Loop Trail
Stay to right – along Canal.
Continue on Towpath Trail to Harvard Ave.
Turn Around (B, 7.1M) – run south.
Bear right at bottom of hill.
Slight right on Lower 40 Loop Trail – along river.
Turn right onto Towpath Trail – run south along canal.
Run over two white suspension bridges. These bridges rise to 30 feet above the roadway at each point and include a 7% grade.
Stay on Towpath to finish line in parking lot of Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works

Half Marathon Course Map

Towpath Marathon, 10K Length

Towpath Marathon, 10K Course Description

10K runners are to park at BASF.

START: On Lower Harvard Ave. (bridge over Cuyahoga River).

Run east on Harvard Ave., turn right onto Towpath Trail at the Harvard Ave. Towpath Trailhead
Follow mile marker sign (blue signs/white letters)
Run on Towpath Trail – bear right at bottom of hill
Bear right – trail along Cuyahoga River
Turn right onto Lower 40 Loop Trail
Turn right onto the Towpath Trail – along canal
Continue south on Trail – over 2 bridges. These bridges rise to 30 feet above the roadway at each point and include a 7% grade.
Continue on Towpath Trail – cross West Canal into finish line (Cuyahoga County – Department of Public Works

10k Course Map

Towpath Marathon Aid Stations

Marathon Course

The marathon course will offer 23 stations, in addition to the start and finish lines. This averages one aid station every 1.1 miles Click below to view a list of aid station mileage and what will be available at each station.

Half Marathon Course

The half marathon course will offer 12 aid stations, in addition to the start and finish lines. This averages one aid station every mile. Click below to view a list of aid station mileage and what will be available at each station.

10K Course

The 10k course will offer 5 aid stations in addition to the start and finish lines.

Important Things to Note

Runners must know their race course. Please read the descriptions and check out maps above.
Runners should visit this website frequently and refer to FAQ section and News for updates.
Racers must know their starting lines and parking sites.

Walkers

We allow walkers in the half and full race divisions and they must start by 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM respectively.
Walkers must complete the course by 1 pm.

General

The race is run on a 12-foot wide trail.
Bear right whenever possible.
Be aware of passing fast runners.
Faster runners, pass on left.
Runners run in both direction on the trail.
Marathon course and aid stations will be open for 6 hours: 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Races

How can I register?

Register for the race online by selecting REGISTER NOW/TOWPATH MARATHON or feel free to print out the mail-in registration form.

Mail to:

PO Box 609420
Cleveland, OH 44109

OR fax to 216-520-1833

If you have further questions or concerns on registration, please feel free to email kcole@canalwaypartners.com

After that point, the only registrations accepted will be at the expo, if spaces are available.

PACKET PICKUP

Where and when can I pick up my packet?

You have the option of picking up packets, or with a $10 fee, you are able to have your packet mailed to you.

Please make sure to check the dates so that you are registered in time to be eligible for a mail-out should you chose that option.

Info on packet pick-up for the Towpath Marathon is at https://towpathtrilogy.com/marathon/#packet

COURSE

Is the course flat?

The course is relatively flat. The start of the marathon and 10k courses go uphill for appx. 1/2 mile and there are 7% grades at the two white suspension bridges.

What is the surface?

The Towpath Marathon, half, and 10k are run on the paved, asphalt Towpath Trail inside Cleveland Metroparks.

Is the course a Boston Marathon Qualifier?

Yes, the Towpath Marathon has been certified as a Boston Marathon Qualifier. The certification code is OH19035MW

Will any roads be closed?

Yes, each race is different please refer to the appropriate race page. Generally, the roads close an hour before the start of each race.

Is every mile marked along the course?

Yes, we have several race divisions. Please see below for your course markers:

The Towpath Marathon is marked with black and white signage and the Towpath Half Marathon is marked with yellow signs and red letters. The 10k is marked with blue signs and white letters.

How long is the course open?

The course will be supported with aid stations for 6 hours, from 7:00 AM – 1:00 PM. We cannot guarantee road closures or staffed aid stations past this time. This means that runners finishing the race in over 6 hours (or running slower than 13-minute mile) will not have support for the time over 6 hours (or past 1:00 PM). If you are concerned that you may not finish within 6 hours, you may want to consider an early start. See question below.

Can I walk the course? Can I start early?

We welcome walkers and encourage them to take advantage of our 6:00 AM start time for full runners and 6:30am start time for the half to ensure that they finish within the allotted time. We do not offer a walker’s division for the 10K and find that runners tend to do a walk/run combo if they desire.

Walkers for the half will start at 6:30 AM and have a separate start lines. Walkers for the full will start at 6:00am with a separate start line. All walkers and runners will finish at the same finish line. Be careful as it will be dark walking to your start line and we recommend bringing water as your first early morning water stop may not be set up yet.

AWARDS

What are the age groups and who is eligible?

1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Overall Male & Female (10k, Marathon and Half Marathon)

Top Master Male & Female (10k, Marathon and Half Marathon)

1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Male & Female in the following age groups:
19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-99 (10k, Marathon and Half Marathon)

AMENITIES AND SERVICES

What do runners get?

All marathoners will receive a long-sleeved technical shirt and half marathoners and 10K runners will receive a short-sleeved technical shirt. Full and half marathoners receive finishers medals. There will be food available at no cost to runners only.

Is there food provided for spectators?

Food and beverages are available for purchase for spectators at Quaker Steak & Lube near the finish line.

Are there any other amenities?

Marathoners will have access to massage therapists, food, live music and a cash beer garden – from our region’s own Great Lakes Brewing Co.!

MISCELLANEOUS

Are headphones permitted?

Yes. Please be mindful of other runners while wearing them, though!

Will there be a bag drop?

Yes. There will be a volunteer at the start lines with duct tape and a marker. Please write your bib number on the duct tape and place on your bag. The bags will be placed near the finish area. We are not responsible for lost/stolen items, but the bags will be watched. Changing tents will also be available.

Where and when will the results be posted?

Results will be posted on our website within 24 hours, if not earlier.

Can I run with my dog?

Can I run with a baby stroller or racing wheelchair?

No, the Towpath Trail can vary in size from 8 to 10 feet wide and with runners racing in both directions in separate race divisions, we do not allow jogging strollers or racing wheelchairs out of concerns for safety.

Where can I park if I am running or a spectator?