The 2012 Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon ended Sunday with a record turnout and a pair of blazing fast times in the men’s and women’s marathon.
Under clear skies and temperatures in the mid 80s, the weekend saw participation in the 35th Annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon events reach an all-time high of 20,008 runners. That’s an increase of 300 percent since 2003.
“Well, it was a little warmer than we would have liked it today, but the runners turned in some great times and the crowds were unbelievable,” said Executive Race Director Jack Staph in a news release. “To have our men’s and women’s marathon winners run under 2:20 and 2:40, while setting records in the half and both 5K races is fantastic.”
The record also included a 5K on Saturday that drew 1,315 runners, the We Run This City Program that had 750 school-aged participants from Cleveland Municipal School District, and another 500 children who participated in the Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Red Nose Children’s Run on Saturday on the field at the Cleveland Browns Stadium.
“I think the thousands of fans and participants over the course of the weekend really got to see the best Cleveland has to offer, This is a great city, a flat, fast course, and it seems more and more people are enjoying ‘the Cleveland Experience’ each and every year,” explained Staph.
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article courtesy of Newsnet5.com
