Back to Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon Information & Reviews
J. M. from OH
(5/1/2014)
"Very good race, especially for the first year" (about: 2014)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Very good race, well organized and thought out. Excellent for spectators. | |
M. O. from Pennsylvania
(4/30/2014)
"You'd never know it was the inaugural year!" (about: 2014)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 These guys are good. From the start, there was a sense that even though this was the inaugural running of the HOF Marathon, this would be a great event. And it was. Prior to the race, there was great communication all around. Very affordable, too. The race was so well organized. Volunteers and police crews were everywhere and smiled non-stop. There was no problem navigating the course as it was very well marked. I did, however, give the course 3 stars only because the lousy winter trashed the roads. The 'fixed' potholes were still pretty bad and we found ourselves weaving in and out of potholes. It was rough on a lot of the roads. Don't be deceived! It was a tough, hilly course. I was surprised by this, thinking that Ohio was pretty flat. The finish area was awesome, coming in on the 50 yard line of Fawcett Stadium. Great medal and fleece blanket! I'd recommend this for others. Great job, race directors! | |
V. S. from New Jersey
(4/30/2014)
"A well organized, fun race." (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I was very satisfied with this race, especially for its inaugural running. Pros: -free entry to the Pro Football Hall of Fame -the first half of the course winds through downtown Canton, a few miles of lush, green park, and around the McKinley Memorial/Presidential Library -plenty of water stations/port-o-potties (a station at every mile after 13 with water, Gatorade and toilets) Several GU stops as well. -convenient shuttle system from parking to the start/finish -closed course with police at literally every intersection -blanket for finishers -mile markers were pretty much dead-on Cons: -the second half of the marathon course was a bit dull, especially after the quick and scenic first half (mostly residential/business) -the pasta dinner times were a bit early -not many spectators (this is to be expected from a smaller race, but there were still folks sitting outside of their homes cheering runners on) Overall, I can only really think of positive things to say about this race, and am glad I chose it for my Ohio marathon. | |
J. E. from Cortland,Ohio
(4/30/2014)
"Starting line" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Great course. Ran a PR and had a lot of fun. Well organized. Only thing I think that needs improved is the PA system at the starting line. I was in corral B and couldn't hear anything. Other than that, great event. Grew up in Canton. Nice to come home. | |
dean kahler from Canton, Ohio
(4/30/2014)
"Well organized and beautiful weather." (about: 2014)
1 previous marathon
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I had a great time in the Half and would liked to have seen a flatter course. It was a good course. Some of the asphalt was very old and bumpy for a wheelchair, and i had a tough time in some areas. I would give it an A I ran the Columbus full marathon a while back and this race is better. | |
S. S. from U.S
(4/30/2014)
"My first half marathon; what a great experience!" (about: 2014)
First Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 How fun!What a great experience for a first-timer! The course was interesting, the spectators (and different bands)helped make the experience memorable. Entering the stadium and hearing your name as you crossed the finish line was inspiring. I am planning on running again! Thanks for one of the most memorable events in my life! | |
M. M. from USA
(4/30/2014)
"Best half marathon course I've ever run!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 The Half course gets an A+. Just the right amount of hills, not too long or to steep. They test you but they don't break you. It's also scenic, if you have time to look around. Aid stations were perfectly placed with great volunteers. The cherry on top was the weather. On the down side was the parking, needs to be sorted out better. The start was a bit disorganized. Also, maybe a better selection of post race food. God willing, I'll be back next year! | |
A. F. from Canton, OH
(4/30/2014)
"GREAT for First Year- but room to improve!" (about: 2014)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 3 LOVED the race! Great job for 1st year! Hills at end hard...any way to re-route that? Monument Road had horrible pot holes, almost rolled ankle, anyway to make sure that is paved before run? Packet pick-up a little disorganized (wait in one line, then another, then out to field)...Also wish there would have been MORE quantity and variety and vendors at Expo...I came with BIG RUNNING MONEY to spend and only bought one thing from 2nd Sole (which I could have bought any day at their store). Akron's Expo is good model of variety! Spectators that were there great but VERY Few of them...need more race promoting for spectators...make it fun for them to come out! Whoever was in charge of Marketing, PR or entertainment (getting local bands, groups, etc...) could have done a better job...all the business in downtown and NONE out?? Ran by Palace Theatre and NO ONE Out? Really? They had a booth at the Expo?? Again, use Akron's race for Model on spectator support! Canton support looked SAD and I was embarrassed with friends who are used to running in Akron. First year equals room to improve. I know Akron is 10+years...we will get there! PS- BLANKETS AWESOME BLOWS AKRON'S FOIL WRAP AWAY!!! | |
J. F. from Cleveland, OH
(4/30/2014)
"First year event - has potential." (about: 2014)
First Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I ran the 13.1/HALF MARATHON. Parking was crazy (I exited to park 1 hour before race). I got to start line 3 minutes before race start. Why doesn't the race just start at the fairgrounds and end at the stadium? No sound for the start = no national anthem or other music. I was actually still fiddling with my music when folks starting moving forward. I guess it was time to GO! Crowd was so-so along the course. Canton isn't a gorgeous city, but running through downtown anywhere and around the McKinley monument area was nice. The finish line was narrow area. There were then people everywhere as you crossed - almost too many. Water and subway and a banana. I was so hoping for chocolate milk! It was a great weather day, I had a good run, but not sure if I would commit the funds to do it again. Oh, I do have say the pace leader I hung with for a while - Joel - was terrific. | |
c. c. from middlefield ohio
(4/30/2014)
"Awesome job! Cant wait until next year!" (about: 2014)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 One of the best 1/2 marathons I have ran and it was just your first. The course was perfect; easy to follow and just enough mixture of inclines and declines that it kept specific muscle groups from getting too sore at any one time. Water stations were good and even though I am slower, the enthusiasm of the water station volunteers never curbed and was greatly appreciated. My husband was very envious of my experience and plans to join me next year. Kudos for a job well done |
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