I volunteered at the 2017 race and finally got a chance to run leg 2 of the 8-person relay in 2018. It was so much fun and I'm really glad I chose to do it. Leg 2 was challenging but not unforgiving. The aid station volunteers were wonderful as always. The only thing that could be improved upon was the expo but I knew what to expect so wasn't too disappointed.

Overall I can't wait to come back again next year!

This was the second annual Run Santa Run 5K. It was very well-organized and attracted a large number of participants (1,005 up from 625 last year) and their families.

The weather was really nice this year, so I'm sure that helped attendance quite a bit. The atmosphere was very family friendly. Lots of little kids racing with their parents, and bigger kids (9-11ish) racing on their own.

The course was flat and easy to navigate. It meandered through a quiet neighborhood, which was nice, but finished on a busy main road which made for a rather fun last tenth of the 5K.

For a "fun run" I would say it was a pretty competitive race. If you're a recreational runner just out for a good time, I highly recommend staying in the back of the pack. If you're looking for a PR (which is easily achievable given the flat terrain), try to position yourself toward the front. Just be prepared for a lot of people tossing cookies at the finish line!

My kids and husband came to cheer me on and had fun before, during, and after the race. There was music, Santa Claus, and lots of delicious post-race food for the runners and families.

A fun race that I would recommend to anyone and look forward to running again in 2016!

This was by far one of the most well organized races I've run. The race management is amazing for this series. They are very helpful. The pre-race emails and instructions are clear and concise and there's very little confusion come race morning. The route was nice. It wasn't the best I've run for the first half, but it was scenic and gorgeous on the second half. The views along portions of Lake Erie were was just beautiful. If I hadn't been going for a PR, I would have stopped to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.

The post-race party for Greater Cleveland XC events are always second to none. They have a great DJ for all their races, and the post-race food is amazing. This time around it was pizza, granola bars, bananas, drinks, etc. There was a massage tent and a great photo stop. Plus the medals for these races are unique and amazing.

I highly recommend this race!

(Bonus: all the race day photos are posted on their website/FB page with NO premium price tag.)

The Rock Hall Half Marathon is one of my all-time favorite races. Everything from the swag to the course to the pre and post race atmosphere. 2015 was the inaugural year for the Rock Hall Half and I can't wait for 2016.

The course is on the east side of Cleveland, unlike a lot of other Cleveland races. The first part is interesting and runs through downtown. Once out of downtown it takes you through the Cultural Gardens and part of University Circle. The scenery is amazing and the gardens are beautiful.

Runners receive a complimentary ticket to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, which is nice particularly for out of towners.

Overall a really great race. Job well done to the management team!

As much as I'm a hometown girl, I'm was disappointed with the Cleveland Marathon this year. I ran the half marathon in 2014 and came back for the full in 2015. Weather and injury aside, the course for the Cleveland Marathon needs to be improved. Pothole after pothole, running through less-than-desirable neighborhoods, and then finishing for miles on the empty shoreway is depressing. There's good crowd support for the first 3/4 of the race but once on the shoreway, forget about it. I was lucky to find one runner to run with, but other than that, the road was desolate. I think a course change is much needed for this iconic race. I took longer than planned due to injury, but when I finished well ahead of the cutoff, I was disappointed so many people were gone and there wasn't much left for the rest of us on the course. The volunteers at the finish were awesome and really sweet, which improved my mood a bit.

The expo was great in 2015. It was moved downtown to the new convention center. Much more convenient than prior years. Another thing that could be updated is the race medal. It's the same year after year. I'm not one to care about bling all that much, but some variation (besides size and color) would make it easier to tell the difference between my half marathon and full marathon medals.

I don't know if I'll run this race again. The course really turns me off. I want to love it as much as my friends do, but I think I need a change of scenery. I love supporting local races but I would really love to see more from this fabulous race! Cleveland has a lot to offer! Let's show it off!