The River Run Half is a West Cleveland staple for runners and put on by Hermes Running. My first year doing it this year(had to work last year). It’s a point to point race, so here we go: Packet Pick Up: done at any of the 3 Fleet Feet stores in CLE the week leading up to the race and at an expo type shin dig on the Saturday prior, no race day pick up. It was nice though, because you walk in, they look up your registration and assign you a number, you get your shirt and such and go about your day– in and out in 5 minutes max. Kinda nice not having to walk through an expo and being pounded by vendors Parking on Race day: 2 options, the start or Rocky River HS close ish to the finish. Since the course is walker friendly and they can opt to start an hour earlier. If you choose the walking option, you have to park at the start. I parked at the finish and was bussed to the start. The race starts at 8AM and the buses leave the HS at 645AM so be ready for that. They also have shuttles after the race to the start if you parked there and back to the HS. Only downside was the the shuttles back to the HS after the finish only sat 10 ppl and the shuttles back to the start were full out buses– the line to the HS could have used one or two of those Start Time: 8AM for runners, 7AM for walkers The Course: Starts in the metro parks, a short detour in Berea for 2 miles or so and then essentially 10 miles+ along the Rocky River. A good amount of port a potties at the start in addition to some park restrooms, but the lines didn’t seem to be moving. Anyways, a very scenic course and no crowds really, which is nice for a change so you can get in tune with your self. Pockets of people at intersections, but really no traffic to worry about since the road was blocked off. Water/Gatorade every 1.5−2 miles, kinda wish it were a touch more, but what can you do. Mild hills, but nothing serious. Only seemed bad because of me getting only 4 hours of sleep! Bling/Shirts: good shirts and bling. If you do the Cleveland 10 miler in May, you get a special medal piece at the finish Post Race: pizza, bagels, water and a few other options. Chocolate milk woulda been nice A must do race if you’re in Cleveland!
