Cleveland - The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon announced today its registration date and new features for the 43rd running of Cleveland’s premier race, which will take place May 16-17, 2020, in downtown Cleveland. More than 50,000 runners, volunteers and spectators are expected to participate in activities throughout race weekend.
The 43rd Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will feature a more streamlined race schedule, with the 10K being moved to Saturday of race weekend, and the 1-Mile and 8K races being eliminated. Additionally, participants will now have the opportunity to choose from one of four Challenge Series levels and, for the first time, be eligible for the Abbott World Marathon Majors Wanda Age Group World Championships in 2021.
Registration and Schedule
Registration for the 2020 events will open at noon ET on August 1. This year, the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon will partner with a new registration company, Race Roster, and will use fee block pricing with limited spots available for each price break. Participants can save by registering early at clevelandmarathon.com. The full race schedule is below (all times are ET):
Saturday, May 16
8 a.m.
5K and 10K
Starting and finishing at Superior Ave. and W. 3rd St., just west of Public Square in downtown Cleveland
11 a.m.
Kids’ Run
Public Square in downtown Cleveland
Sunday, May 17
7 a.m.
Half and Full Marathon
Starting on Ontario St. at the northwest corner of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse (formerly Quicken Loans Arena) and finishing at Superior Ave. and W. 3rd St., just west of Public Square in downtown Cleveland
Health & Fitness Expo
Takes place May 16-17 at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. The expo will feature 100+ booths showcasing health and fitness products, services and information; race registration and packet pick-up; and official race merchandise sales.
New Features
The Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon is pleased to offer four new Challenge Series levels in 2020, providing new options for runners and walkers who wish to challenge themselves with two events over a two-day period. The Challenge Series offers four event combinations and levels of difficulty:
- 10K and Full Marathon
- 10K and Half Marathon
- 5K and Full Marathon
- 5K and Half Marathon
*Please note, as mentioned above, the 10K has been moved to Saturday, May 16. There is no longer an 8K as part of the series.
To be included in the Challenge Series and receive its benefits, participants must register under one of the four Challenge Series 2-Day Distance Combos. If they register twice for two individual events, they will not be included in the Challenge Series.
Additionally, the Cleveland Marathon has been chosen as a qualifying event partner of the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM) Wanda Age Group World Rankings. The AbbottWMM is a series of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world - Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A. Boston Marathon, Virgin Money London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
Encompassing an annual series for elite runners and elite wheelchair athletes, AbbottWMM also applauds the achievements and passion of everyday champions from around the world. The new AbbottWMM Six Star System is an online results hub that celebrates every runner who has completed from one to six of the races in the series and encourages them to 'Reach for the Stars'.
The AbbottWMM has also launched AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Rankings - its first ever global age group marathon ranking system that will include more than 50 races across the world. The rankings will culminate at the first AbbottWMM Wanda Age Group World Championship race taking place in spring 2020.
For more information on how to qualify, visit the Cleveland Marathon website.
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