Why You Should Run Cleveland.

 (Thank you American Greeting cards for this great Expo gift)

After finishing some races, I’m okay with checking the box and moving on.  I’ve run the Cleveland Marathon four times.  So why return to this marathon?

Cleveland is a favorite city of mine.  I’m a die-hard Browns fan, and I enjoy what the city has to offer.

Something about this race keeps calling me back.  At mile 22 of the 2018 edition it hit me.

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Ten Reasons Why You Should Run the Cleveland Marathon

1. It’s a big city race but not so big that you get lost in the crowd

2. There is plenty to do before and after the race
– Rock-N-Roll Hall of fame
– Science museum
– West Side Market
– Shopping
– Local taverns and restaurants
– Tower City
– Lake front views and the water front
– Indians games
I could go on and on…

3.  The race provides a very cool medal

4.  The starting line provides the perfect photo op with the Quicken Arena (home of the Cavs), and Progressive Field (home of the Indians) and the Lebron James billboard as backdrop

5.  The Expo is awesome

6.  Volunteers are helpful and very positive

7.  The race is well organized

8.  Parking is NOT an issue…city parking within a block of the finish-line was available and the city did not jack up its prices on race day

9.  Breath taking views in the closing miles, i.e. the city sky line set behind the Lake Erie shore line

10.  The course offers a little bit of everything.  Over the 26.2-mile course your going to see all parts of the city.   As the miles clicked off, and time passed my mind like my body was engaged the entire time.  From towering buildings, massive stadiums, turn of the century lake side homes, congested city living, neighborhood provided beer stations, puppies on parade, bands playing, cheerleaders cheering, neighbors and friends giving high fives this race is anything but boring.

Do you want to run your best MARATHON (or any race for that matter)?  Pick up a copy of my book 26.2 Tips to run your best MARATHON and your nearly guaranteed to score a PR.

I ran the Challenge series as a race ambassador, running the 8k on Saturday and the Full Marathon on Sunday, my wife fast walked the 5k on Saturday and the 10K on Sunday.  It was a busy weekend for us but we enjoyed it 1000%

If you haven’t run Cleveland you should.  The Cleveland Marathon is one of kind, it’s not Boston, It’s not NYC and it’s not Chicago.  It’s CLEVELAND and it rocks!

The hiking version of the Barkley Marathon?

I attended the Pittsburgh Marathon as a guest of Cocoa Elite and the Veterans Leadership Programs of Western Pennsylvania (VLP).  Arriving at their booth a first notice a larger red and white sign and the headline; The Crucible, 3 days, 77 miles and the figures of four hikers.  My wrapped Ultrarunners brain quickly switched into high gear.  Mmmmmm.

I met Daniel Blevins the program manager and booth mate for the weekend and asked.  Could I run that?  His replied floored me. With a slight smile and a evil sounding chuckle he replied, “I doubt it.”

This 3-day extreme journey through some of Pennsylvania’s most spectacular scenery is not for the feint of heart, but your life won’t be the same after you’ve participated in The Crucible. It’s a journey of passion, determination and personal triumph.

The 70-mile hiking trail stretches along the picturesque Laurel Mountains from the Conemaugh Gorge near Johnstown, PA where you can hike along a rocky footpath and dirt road through mountain laurel to the edge of a 1,000-foot gorge at 2,400 feet to the Youghiogheny River at Ohiopyle – located at the southern reaches of the Laurel Ridge, encompassing rugged natural beauty providing some of the best whitewater in the eastern United States, as well as spectacular scenery.

(I may have Dan hooked on Running to Leadville)

Dan told me the challenge is not the distance, it’s the extreme rocky trails, the near constant change in elevation and the heat and humidity of Central Pennsylvania that makes the Crucible so tough.  In the 4 years that this event has be held the finishing rate, those that complete all 70-miles is around 40%.

[Tweet “the Crucible – a 70-mile hike in 3 days over the rugged mountains of PA for veterans, @cledawgs tells us all about it.”]

As an ultrarunner looking for the next big challenge, could it be the Crucible? The best part of all events hosted by the VLP is that near 90% of all proceeds go back to helping the Homeless Veterans in and around the Pittsburgh area.  Their events offer more than a race, as much as it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of local veterans who need housing and employment services.

Looking for your next challenge?  Consider the Crucible hike or the 335 Mile for Veterans Bike Ride from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C.

Check out the VLP and see how you can help or join one of their events.