21st Annual Towpath Marathon Creates An International Draw to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Northeast Ohio

21st Annual Towpath Marathon Creates An International Draw to Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Northeast Ohio

CUYAHOGA COUNTY, Ohio - OCTOBER 3, 2012 - The Ohio Canal Corridor is getting ready to welcome runners from points across the country and the world to the 21st running of the Towpath Marathon, this Sunday, October 7th, in Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Runners from as far away as Japan and the United Kingdom are arriving to join participants from 33 States and Canada in this year’s race - putting an international spotlight on the region. 

“Race registration is outpacing last year, with 2,200+ runners signed up to take off from starting lines for a 10K, Half-Marathon, and Full Marathon,” states Canalway Co-Executive Director Tim Donovan, who also heads the Ohio Canal Corridor. 

The event, held annually by the Ohio Canal Corridor, a Founding Organization of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, serves as a fundraiser and promotes the recreational and natural resources the Towpath Trail adds to the quality of life in Northeast Ohio. 

Part of a Health & Wellness Race Series

“The Towpath Marathon completes the Towpath Trilogy - a year-long race series we’ve designed with the help of corporate sponsor Progressive, as a health and wellness challenge for NEO residents,” adds Donovan. “Given that our race is a Boston Marathon qualifier, the marathon provides a great resource for achieving advanced running goals too.”

A Regional Showcase

The course itself is designed to showcase some of the most beautiful segments of the historic Towpath Trail between Akron and Cleveland. It's also one of the few to take place wholly within a National Park. Donovan notes, “We’re proud of the fact that our course has been named one of the ‘Top 24 Trail Runs in America’ by Trail Runner Magazine.”

The Towpath Marathon was established in 1992 to introduce the Towpath Trail as a new recreational amenity and to promote the establishment of the Ohio & Erie Canalway. All proceeds benefit the Ohio Canal Corridor and its efforts to preserve, promote and educate the public about the area surrounding one of Northeast Ohio’s valuable resources – the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area running along the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.  

“A few years back, Runner’s World magazine called the Towpath Marathon ‘one of the most beautiful race courses in America,’” notes Donovan. “We couldn’t agree more.”

Temporary Towpath Trail Closures 

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be closed to the general public starting at dusk beginning Saturday, October 6 until 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2012. All of the parking lots along the Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, from Lock 39 Trailhead to Botzum Trailhead, including Indigo Lake Trailhead, also will be closed. 

Temporary Road Closures

As part of the festivities, roads to both start areas at Boston Mills and Brandywine Ski Resort close at 7:00 a.m. and remain closed until 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 7, 2012. Full details on everything from prime spots for race viewing to road closures can be found online on this page at www.TowpathTrilogy.net: http://towpathtrilogy.net/mara%20FAQ.html

About the Ohio Canal Corridor - The Ohio Canal Corridor is a Founding Organization of the Ohio & Erie Canalway and is actively working in Cuyahoga County and the entire four-county National Heritage Area to create a park system that follows the route of the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.ohiocanal.org

About the Ohio & Erie Canalway - The Ohio & Erie Canalway is a National Heritage Area - designated by Congress - to help preserve and celebrate the rails, trails, landscapes, towns and sites that grew up along the first 110 miles of the canal that helped Ohio and our nation grow.ohioanderiecanalway.com 

# # #