2024 Cleveland Marathon Race Report

For the 21st time in its 47-year history, Danny Boy lines up to start the Cleveland Marathon. It's nice and cool this morning, but the heat will come, he thinks. He's not in super great shape, he thinks. He'd better take it easy and be conservative, he thinks. He vows to keep all of his first-half miles well above nine minutes, and then maybe, just maybe, pick up the pace in the second half. Such wisdom doesn't come easy to Danny Boy, and he realizes that plans are only plans; sometimes they go awry once the shooting starts.

Of course, they do. The first mile goes by in 8:52. Danny Boy changes plans. Now, he's going to keep the miles right around nine minutes. To keep this up for the entire race would mean a sub-four-hour time. He really ought to remember that a very short while ago, he had thought such a thing was overly ambitious. He was right then.

Danny Boy still running well on a bridge at about halfway

Everything goes well, until it doesn't. After halfway (in 1:58), the sun rises higher, the shadows recede, and the temperature shoots up. By around mile 17, Danny Boy realizes that he's working much too hard to maintain this stupid nine-minute pace. He slows a little, and the four-hour pace group passes him. He catches up and stays with them, until he doesn't. Although he's still around three hours by mile twenty, you could stick a fork in Danny Boy, 'cause he's well done.

The hills and heat on the West Shoreway are killers, and he winds up walking at times. The temperature, so nice before, is now well into the eighties. The Veterans Memorial Bridge (aka Detroit-Superior), is tough, until the final downhill 26th mile. Danny Boy crosses the finish line in 4:07. He later learns that he has won his ancient age group.

Danny Boy at the finish, trying to learn who sponsors the event

<WARNING: NON-RUNNING CONTENT> Danny Boy stops to talk with friends Larry and Chris Orwin before rushing home without so much as a celebratory beer. The reason for this haste is that he has to get home, clean up, stuff down some bread and cheese, pack the car, and then return to Downtown with Debbie (aka the Lady Adventurer). Debbie is having a significant birthday today, and Danny Boy has promised her a good time.

They park at the Hotel Cleveland (formerly Renaissance Cleveland) for $45 per day, but don't check in (it's a little too early). It's very hot as they walk over to Playhouse Square where they watch In the Heights. It's a wonderful show with fantastic singing and dancing; much better than anticipated. They walk back to the historic and newly restored hotel, where they've stayed in the past. Dinner and the upgraded suite are super.

Been a pretty eventful day.

At the Allen Theater Rotunda