Overall, probably not doing RnR Cleveland again this year. I ran in 2013 and I wasn't a fan of a few things. The course didn't show you a lot of Cleveland. You saw some of the big things, but the race took you through parts of Cleveland that didn't seem fit for running. Parts seemed sketchy and were just odd parts of town. If you're looking for a race with hills, you'll find some in this race. This particular race in 2013 was on the most humid day of August. OK swag bag, but not great, expo was average and a pretty standard RnR expo- nothing fancy.

Price wise, it's at it's cheapest a year ahead of the race, which is kind of crappy. A one and done type of race for me

Solid Marathon, as it was my 2013 Marathon of choice. Be prepared to be sent off with fireworks and a boat load of fun. The first 13.1 takes you through downtown and most of the fun parts of Columbus. The Marathoners are teased with the finish as the half marathoners break off 13 miles in for the finish and keep on going. We see more of columbus, get to run through the 'Shoe and are greeted by Hang on Sloopy. This past year, we doubled back past the polka player on the bridge and past the Schottenstein Center. You do get some scenic parts of Columbus and a good view of downtown at the Pepsi Station somewhere past mile 20. You end up in Victorian Village and passing some good house parties as you're trying to finish for brunch or lunch. I felt bad for the poor girl being attended to paramedics at 25.2.

Good energy overall, well run expo with a bunch of vendors. The only downside is that you have to go up stairs and around the top of the second floor in order to get your bib and shirts, which is a bit obnoxious. If you're lucky, you get a home OSU game the Saturday before the race and some good bling!

A really well done race. The race starts and finishes along Virginia Beach and is a flat and fast course. The expo is two days, Friday and Saturday and has a good amount of vendors. Parking is out front and free!! When you register, sign up for one of their challenges- either the Dolphin (1/2 Marathon Sunday and the 8K on Saturday) or the Whale (Full Marathon on Sunday, 8K on Saturday). I did the Dolphin and even set a PR!

Get a hotel along the beach and look at where the start/ finish are located so you can get a good idea of which hotels are close. Leave your car at the hotel and walk to the start and finish. The half marathon starts before the marathon because the 1/2 marathon is the second half of the marathon. I love the race because the first few miles are on shaded road. We also get to run around some of the military bases and have military personal assisting in the race. After you come out of the base, it's back through Virginia Beach community and ultimately, back on the beach where you finish on the boardwalk.

Post race party included soup, Yuengling and enjoying the massive Shamrock Sand Castle. A must do destination for sure!

This is a really well done race and the fact that it's in February and it's relatively nice is awesome. I ran in 2013 and flew out to LA the Friday before the race. I stayed with a friend of the family and we headed out to Huntington Beach on Saturday. We stayed at the Double Tree and checked in before heading to the Expo. It's nice when you can head to an expo that's outside and under tents in February!

The expo is set up well and flows well. You walk in and pick up your bib and then your shirt. The amount of vendors there is just about right. Make sure you get plenty of free samples and swag!! Long sleeved tech shirts are awesome too.

If you stay at the Double Tree in Huntington Beach, they bus you over to the start and open up breakfast early for runners. It's definitely a popular option. We caught the shuttle over and bowered the hotel bathrooms before hopping into our corrals.

The Course: the first few miles are along the highway/beach, but you still get a good feel for Surf City. You do have at least one or 2 decent hills in there before coming back to the highway. You hit a turn around point and take advantage of running back parallel to the beach. It's always nice when you can enjoy a race while enjoying the beach! Overall, something to enjoy!

The Finish and Post Race: Love the surf board medals!! They have tents set up, you can check your results and get some free stuff too. They also have group meet up areas where you can meet up with family, etc afterwards.

When we got back to Double Tree, they cheered runners as we came in and they had free cookies for us. We even acted as the cheering crew for a bit while we were waiting to leave. Overall, a good race and one to have on your bucket list!

I lived in Philadelphia for 5 years and ran the Philadelphia 1/2 Marathon in 2009, 2010 and 2012. The expo is pretty decent in terms of race expos, a variety of stores in the city have discounts marathon weekends and it's an overall good race. In 2012, they accepted an additional 3,000 runners for the marathon who got hurricained out of the NYC Marathon, if that says anything.

The half marathon course is relatively flat, minus a tad of some hills around miles 6.5-8 isn. It only seemed worse in 2009 because of a rip roaring ITB injury. It starts and ends in front of the Art Museum and Mayor Nutter is always at the stop. Be prepared to give Bart Yasso a high 5 at the end!