What Races Are Offered at the Cleveland Marathon and How Do You Register?
The Cleveland Marathon offers four individual race distances — full marathon (26.2 miles), half marathon (13.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles), and 5K (3.1 miles) — plus a Challenge Series for runners who want to take on more than one event. Registration, course details, and training information are all handled through the official race website, clevelandmarathon.com. The event has been held in Cleveland since 1978 and includes a charity program and volunteer opportunities alongside the races.
Race distances at a glance
| Race | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Full Marathon | 26.2 miles | Redesigned route announced for 2026 |
| Half Marathon | 13.1 miles | — |
| 10K | 6.2 miles | — |
| 5K | 3.1 miles | — |
| Challenge Series | Multiple races | For runners completing more than one distance |
The 2026 full marathon route was redesigned to reintroduce long straightaways and active cheer zones, with a return to the legacy second half along Lake Avenue through Lakewood and a finish that includes a roughly 2-mile stretch along the shoreway before entering the Hingetown neighborhood and crossing the finish line downtown.
How to register
Registration is completed through the official Cleveland Marathon website. The site's main navigation includes a Register section alongside Races, Courses, Charity Partners, Training, Volunteer, and Sponsors.
Because the source material does not list registration fees, deadlines, or payment methods, check the Register page directly for current pricing, cutoff dates, and any capacity limits before committing.
What else the event includes
Beyond the races themselves, the Cleveland Marathon organizes several supporting programs:
- Courses — route information for each distance, including the updated 2026 full marathon route.
- Training — resources to help runners prepare for their chosen distance.
- Charity Partners — a fundraising program. The 2026 event raised $500,000 for local charities through 43 partner organizations and more than 470 participating runners. The marathon has helped raise well over $5 million for local charitable organizations since its inception.
- Volunteer — opportunities to support the event without running.
- Challenge Series — a option for runners who want to complete multiple races.
Deciding whether to participate
The choice of distance depends mainly on your current training base and goal:
- 5K or 10K suit newer runners or anyone wanting a shorter race experience.
- Half marathon fits runners with a solid base who want a longer challenge without full-marathon training volume.
- Full marathon requires the most preparation and is best suited to runners who have built up to the distance.
- Challenge Series is for runners who want to combine multiple races in one event weekend.
If fundraising is part of your motivation, the charity program connects runners with local organizations. If you'd rather support the race without running, the volunteer section covers that route.
For current dates, fees, and registration status, go directly to clevelandmarathon.com — those details are not fixed in the event's general description and can change year to year.