CLEVELAND – (May 11, 2021) – The Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon’s virtual races will be held May 15-16, 2021, giving participants the opportunity to run the following race distances anywhere, anytime during those days:
- Full Marathon
- Half Marathon
- 10K
- 5K
- Challenge Series (includes 5K/Half Marathon, 5K/Full Marathon, 10K/Half Marathon, 10K/Full Marathon). The races must be run two consecutive days (one distance per day).
The marathon encourages runners to document their training, progress and results on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and to use hashtag #IConqueredMyLand. Runners can also submit their results from May 15-20 when they complete their events and can upload a finisher’s photo if they choose. The link to post results will be live on www.clevelandmarathon.com beginning May 15.
“Races across the country – and around the world – have pivoted and adjusted to the pandemic by postponing in-person events and offering virtual options, and we are no exception,” said Jack Staph, executive director of the Union Home Mortgage Cleveland Marathon. “COVID has changed many aspects of our lives as a whole. Social distancing has brought us closer together in many respects, and the same is true with virtual races. Friends and relatives train and run together virtually across the miles, which they would not have done with in-person only events.”
All virtual runners will receive a t-shirt and medal. Challenge participants will also receive a third medal and a Cleveland Marathon duffel bag.
The health and safety of runners, volunteers and spectators are the marathon’s top priorities, and the team will continue to work closely with city, county and state health officials, as well as its medical partner, University Hospitals Sports Medicine, to hold an in-person event this fall that is safe for all who participate.
A specific date has not been set yet for the fall as the marathon team is actively working with the City of Cleveland on scheduling a date that will not conflict with a Cleveland Browns home game. An update is expected once the 2021 NFL schedule has been released.
Registration for the in-person event in the fall has been paused until a date is set. However, registration for all virtual races is now open on the marathon’s website.
The marathon team appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as they coordinate logistics for the 2021 race. More information, including updates and health and safety protocols, can be found on the marathon’s website and social media channels.
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