|
The Towpath Trilogy
Race Series
June
October 9th, 2016
|
|
|
Two Weeks Until
the Towpath Marathon
The Towpath Marathon, the conclusion of the 2016 Towpath Trilogy Race Series, is Sunday October 9th. The event features three race lengths, half-marathon, marathon and 10k.
From Runner's World:
"Savor autumn in all its saturated hues at one of the most beautiful marathons on the fall racing calendar, which also happens to showcase one of the Midwest's few national parks. Named for the Native American word for "crooked river," the 33,000-acre Cuyahoga Valley National Park provides the brilliant backdrop for this trio of races, which started with a relay in 1992. The flat, fast events-including a marathon that's popular as a Boston qualifier-feature a winding, scenic out-and-back on the park's 85-mile Towpath Trail. The crushed limestone path meanders along the Cuyahoga River, complete with wooden bridges and resident wildlife like otters, herons, and even bald eagles. At the finish line, live music and $4 pints from a local brewery keep the fun rolling."
|
Faces of the Towpath Marathon
Known to some as "Mr. Sensible," our awards emcee Jack Kluznik is a long-time fixture at the Towpath Marathon. Jack is an avid runner, lawyer and
Canalway Partners Board Member. We talked a bit about running and the Towpath Marathon as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
So Jack, how did you first get involved with the Towpath Marathon?
I ran my first Towpath Marathon in the 1990's. I think it was the second year of the Aetna Toe to Tow Marathon. I still have the sweatshirt that they gave out (before tech t-shirts were invented). I recall that it was rainy and cold. I loved the bedraggled running shoe logo that was introduced in subsequent years.
I have run a total of 5 Towpath Marathons in my career and many more of the Half Marathons. I stopped running the Towpath Half when I began to work as a volunteer/slave to set up and tear down the course!
I can attest that setting up the course is a lot of work, why do you volunteer your time?
The Towpath Marathon and Half are beautiful courses- particularly in October with the changing leaves and seasons. Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a hidden treasure that is finally being discovered and widely used. The Towpath races have done a lot to publicize the park and to introduce it to active people for their use. It's a very user-friendly park for bike riding and running.
I am committed to the Towpath Marathon as a volunteer because it has evolved into such a great experience for runners and their families. The idyllic setting is perfect when the weather cooperates (as it has for the past several years), the good live music by
Cats on Holiday and the Fall decorations (and Great Lakes beer) contribute to a special setting and a good vibe for the runners after they finish their race.
|
Towpath Marathon
Photo Award
Introducing our 2016 Towpath Marathon Photo Award, "Serenity" by Gigi Muir.
The top three male and female finishers in each race along with the top three male and female finishers in each age division for the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K receive an 8 by 10 in. matted photo award signed by the photographer, Gigi Muir.
Gigi Muir spent the year of 2010 documenting the
Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail
with fellow photographer Kay Wuske. Hiking several hundred miles up and down the trail, they took over 80,000 photos, we have used several of their photos as photo awards for the Towpath Trilogy Race Series.
The photo awards for the Towpath Trilogy race series highlight different sights along the 110-mile Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. For the Towpath Marathon, we choose pictures in Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
|
Towpath Marathon
Finisher's Medals
Runners that finish the full and half-marathon race lengths at the
Towpath Marathon receive a finisher's medal.
The collectible finisher's medal is two-sided, featuring the Towpath Marathon 25 Anniversary logo on the rear.
Full-marathon course finishers receive a medal with a black strap, and half-marathon runners will receive one with a blue strap.
|
Fun at the
Towpath Marathon
The Towpath Marathon is a special event in a magical setting. Join us at the Towpath Village- at the finish line at the Boston Store, to root on your friends and family, and stay for our beer garden (featuring Great Lakes brews), kettle korn, music from rockers
Cats on Holiday, samples from
Nooma, crafts and a play area for the kids.
Trail Mix, across from Boston Store will be open and offers a variety of cafe sandwiches, fresh bakery, refreshments, snacks and Mitchell's Homemade Ice Cream.
|
25th Anniversary
Towpath Marathon Logo
The Towpath Marathon will celebrate its 25 year anniversary in 2016. For this occasion, Canalway Partners will abandon its traditional "shoe" logo to feature a logo that calls attention to this 25 year mark, using a mix of colors, shapes and minimal text. The logo was designed by George Coghill, and will be featured on our Finisher Medal and race tee.
|
How Can I Help?
The most efficient way to help Canalway Partners develop the Towpath Trail is to
become a member
|
|
| See you on the trail, Ken Schneider
|
|
|
