How do I register for the Towpath Marathon?

Registration is open through RunSignup starting in early January. It closes October 2 at noon with no race-day registration available. You can pick up your packet September 30 through October 2, or have it mailed if you register by September 14.

Is the Towpath Marathon a Boston qualifier?

Yes, the course is USATF certified and qualifies for Boston. The field skews toward experienced runners, but the flat course gives you a fair shot at hitting your standard if you are fit.

What is the course like?

It is an out-and-back on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The surface is crushed limestone, the net elevation is essentially flat, and the total elevation change across the full race is modest. Expect gentle, rolling undulation rather than any significant hills.

How big is the field?

This is a small race. Recent editions have seen roughly 169 finishers, so expect an intimate, low-key atmosphere rather than a big-city crowd.

What is the weather typically like on race day?

Early October in the Cuyahoga Valley usually brings morning temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s with afternoon highs around the mid-60s. Wind along the open canal corridor can be a factor, especially on the return leg.

Where should I stay and how do I get there?

Downtown Cleveland and the Canal Basin Park area in The Flats offer convenient access to the start. Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is about 13 miles away, roughly 15-20 minutes by car or the RTA Red Line.

Sat, Oct 3 · 2026Cuyahoga Valley, OHSince 1992

Towpath Marathon

The Towpath Marathon runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park on a crushed-limestone trail along the Ohio and Erie Canal. It is a small, no-frills race that rewards patient runners with a genuinely flat course and quiet, wooded surroundings.

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TOWPATH · US

Towpath

SAT, OCT 3

2026

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Race Overview

EST. 1992

The Towpath runs through Cuyahoga Valley National Park on the old Ohio and Erie Canal corridor. It is a small race, and that's the point. No massive corrals, no overwhelming crowds. You start near Canal Basin Park, head south on the limestone towpath through the trees, turn around, and come back. Early October means the leaves are turning, and on a clear morning the valley looks genuinely good. The surface is soft enough to save your legs a little, and the course is flat enough that your splits should stay consistent all day. Just watch for the occasional tree root and keep an eye on wind direction on the return leg.

This is a solid course if you are chasing a Boston qualifier, but the small field and limestone surface mean it is not a PR track the way a big-city road race is. Manage your effort through the middle miles and don't let the flat profile make you go out too fast. Registration is open through RunSignup and stays open until the day before the race, so there is no lottery stress. Packet pickup runs in the days before, or you can get it mailed if you register early enough. It is an easy race to get into and a pleasant one to run. If you want something quieter than a big-city fall marathon, this fits.

Field size

~169

169 finishers

BQ rate

5%

Below national average

Time limit

6:30

Standard cutoff

Entry

Open

First-come registration

Course records

Men

2:50:38

Jamison Brickner

2023

Women

3:34:29

Anna Seven

2023

The Course

595 ft total gain

Total ascent

↑595 ft

Total descent

↓595 ft

Net elevation

↑0 ft

Highest point

675 ft

Lowest point

578 ft

Course shape

Out and back

Same route, both directions

The course is an out-and-back on the Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail, a crushed-limestone surface that runs nearly flat through Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Net elevation is zero, and the total relief across 26.2 miles is modest, with the highest and lowest points separated by less than 100 feet. Expect very gradual, rolling undulation rather than distinct climbs. Pacing is straightforward: no hill clusters to plan around, no big descent to bank time on. The surface is forgiving underfoot but not as fast as asphalt, so adjust your goal pace slightly. Exposure to wind is possible on the open canal corridor, which matters more on the return half when fatigue sets in.

DIFFICULTYROLLINGPR-FRIENDLYMODERATE

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Race-Day Weather

10-year median

Low

44°F

High

64°F

30°MARATHON-IDEAL 45–60°80°

What to expect

Early October in the Cuyahoga Valley usually means a cool morning and a mild afternoon. You will likely want throwaway layers at the start since it can feel genuinely cold in the low 40s on the open trail. By the back half you will have warmed up, and highs in the mid-60s are comfortable for running. Wind along the exposed canal corridor can be a factor, especially on the return leg, so factor that into how you dress. Most years the conditions favor a decent effort, but it is Ohio in fall, so have a backup plan if it comes up warm.

Entry

OPEN

Open registration through RunSignup. Registration closes October 2 at noon with no race day registration. Packet pickup available September 30-October 2 or can be mailed if registered by September 14.

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Frequently Asked

7 questions

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