Ashton Swinford wins 5th Cleveland Marathon

Ashton Swinford won the University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon women's division on May 17 in 2:44:36, extending her streak to five straight titles and setting what race organizers called a historic first. Jacob Kocis of Versailles, Kentucky, won the men's marathon in 2:21:50, according to race results released Sunday. More than 13,000 runners took part across the Cleveland Marathon weekend, which included the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and challenge series. Heat and humidity shaped the day for many runners, with medical staff treating dehydration, cramps and heat-related illness, local coverage reported. ### How unusual is five straight Cleveland Marathon wins? Race organizers said Swinford's fifth consecutive women's full-marathon title was a historic first for the event. The Hudson, Ohio, runner had already entered the weekend as a four-time defending champion after wins in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025, according to a Cleveland Marathon profile published in April. (runningusa.org) WKYC reported that Swinford improved on her winning effort from last year by nearly seven minutes. She told reporters after the race that Cleveland's support keeps bringing her back. "I love the Cleveland Marathon," Swinford said, according to WKYC. ### Who else won the top races on Sunday? (runningusa.org) Jacob Kocis, a 25-year-old from Versailles, Kentucky, led the men's full marathon field with a winning time of 2:21:50, according to the Cleveland Marathon's results release and local coverage. Zoe Tippl of Kings County, New York, won the non-binary full marathon division in 3:22:43. (wkyc.com) Hunter Brignall of Seneca Valley, New York, won the men's half marathon in 1:08:49, while Katie Clute of Olmsted Falls was the top female half-marathon finisher in 1:15:12. Gregory Steinberger of Lyndhurst, Ohio, was the top non-binary half-marathon finisher in 2:16:40, the organizers said. (runningusa.org) ### What did runners face on the course? Cleveland Marathon runners dealt with heat and humidity during Sunday's races, according to WKYC and Spectrum News. Dr. Jeffrey Luk, the race's medical director, told WKYC the medical tent had a "busy day" as staff treated dehydration, cramps and more serious heat illness, including heat stroke. (runningusa.org) Jack Staph, executive race director, told Spectrum News that University Hospitals staff added support on the course and in the medical area. He said runners who arrived by wheelchair often left on foot after treatment. ### How big was this year's Cleveland Marathon weekend? More than 13,000 runners participated in race weekend, according to the event's results release and Spectrum News. (wkyc.com) Race Director Ralph Staph said more than 3,700 first-time half- and full-marathon runners took part this year. The Cleveland Marathon said the event remains a Boston-qualifying race and noted that full results were posted on its official results page. (spectrumnews1.com) The race website also says the event began in 1978. ### What changed about the race this year? The Cleveland Marathon announced on March 26 that it redesigned the 2026 full-marathon course. (runningusa.org) The updated route restored part of the legacy second half along Lake Avenue through Lakewood and added a finish that ran along the shoreway before heading through Hingetown into downtown, according to the race website. Those course changes came as organizers promoted the 2026 race weekend and prepared for the event's next milestone year. (runningusa.org) The official site lists 2027 as the marathon's 50th anniversary. ### When is the next Cleveland Marathon? The University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon said its 50th anniversary race weekend is scheduled for May 15-16, 2027. Organizers said registration for the Kids Run, 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon will open soon, and the official results page remains available on the race website. (clevelandmarathon.com) (runningusa.org)