Challenge Series

Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series

4 OPTIONS AVAILABLE

The Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series offers new options for runners and walkers who wish to challenge themselves! The Challenge Series is divided into four levels of varying difficulty and requires a 2-day commitment from participants:

• 10K and Full Marathon
• 10K and Half Marathon
• 5K and Full Marathon
• 5K and Half Marathon

To be included in the Challenge Series and receive its benefits, you must register under one of the four Challenge Series 2-Day Distance Combos. If you register individually for the 2 events, you will not be included in the Challenge Series.

You may run or walk in the Challenge Series. When you register, you will be asked to select the Running or Walking Division. Please choose at the time of registration. Walkers who participate in the Challenge Series will not be categorized in any of the Official Walking Divisions (Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K).

See Individual Events for more details.

Dates and Times

The Challenge Series spans two days (Saturday and Sunday, May 17-18, 2025). Participants who take on the challenge will be required to finish one event each day.

First event: May 17, 2025 Events include the 5K or 10K starting at 7:30 am.
Start/finish line location: St. Clair Avenue and W. Mall Drive

Second event: May 18, 2025 - Events include the full marathon or half marathon starting at 7:00 am.
Start/finish line location: St. Clair Avenue and W. Mall Drive

Benefits

Challenge Series finishers will receive individual medals for each event, plus a challenge medal specific to their series. Challenge medals can be claimed on Sunday, May 19 in an area separate from the finish line. After you exit the finish line corral, look for the Challenge Medal Tent on Mall B.

Finishers will also receive two T-shirts (one for each event) and an exclusive gift. These items are to be picked up at packet pick up.

All challenge participants will receive TWO FREE DRINKS (one per day) at the 26.3 Mile After Party presented by Fat Head’s Brewery! (21 and over only).

exclusive gift

TBD

Packet Pick-Up

The Cleveland Marathon Health and Fitness Expo presented by University Hospitals is a free two-day event open to the public where participants will need to pick up their bibs and other race items. The expo features race information, sponsors, screenings, apparel and other vendors, plus much more! is open to the public and FREE, so be sure to invite friends and family to attend.

Location, Dates and Times

Location: To Be Determined

Date/Time:

Friday, May 16, 2025
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Important:

Please have your Race Roster confirmation page including QR code ready via phone or print-out (see image below). Can't find your confirmation email? You can access the confirmation page by logging into your Race Roster dashboard and clicking on your "Confirmation number" link at the top - see below.

Picking up for another person is permitted, however you must bring a copy of their Race Roster confirmation as well.