2025 Cleveland Marathon Race Report

It's time for The Long Walk. I have managed to finish the Cleveland Marathon, then attempted to have a celebratory beer, and now I am walking back to my car. This walk, all one mile of it, is long and arduous. Not quite as long and arduous as the marathon, but I can't say that I'm enjoying it.

My finishing time was 3:56. That's about par for me these days. I haven't beaten 3:55 in a very long time, but I can still go sub-four on a good day, like today. My time is faster than I've done at this race in a few years. We experienced hot weather in many instances, but today was nearly perfect. Oh, there was some wind, but it was from the Northwest and mostly at our backs for the final miles. I also won my age group, which is due to the dearth of older, faster runners.

I would like to be able to say that it felt good to run so well. But it didn't, so I can't. My splits were even, but those last few miles were Tough with a capital T. I should be happy to finish at all, and even to have made it to the start. My right big toe had been acting up. Luckily, I soaked it and taped it, and it wasn't a factor today.

One final thought. In two years, they will be celebrating the 50th running of this race. I was there for the first one, and for twenty-something others. I plan to be there in 2027. Maybe 2026 as well.