University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon this weekend

The University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon will run this weekend, with races scheduled for Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, and traffic restrictions already mapped out across downtown Cleveland and parts of Lakewood. Organizers said the event includes the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon, all tied to a race weekend that begins Friday with packet pickup and a public expo. News5 Cleveland reported on May 15 that thousands of racers are expected to take part. The Cleveland Marathon website says the event returns for its 49th year and that the full marathon will use a redesigned route this year. ### When do the races start? Friday, May 15, opens with the Cleveland Marathon Health & Fitness Expo from noon to 6 p.m. at the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, 300 Lakeside Ave. E., according to the event schedule. The expo is free and open to the public, and organizers said bib, shirt and goody bag pickup will be available there if races are not sold out. Saturday, May 16, features the Cleveland 5K and the INFINITI of Beachwood 10K at 7:30 a.m. from St. (news5cleveland.com) Clair at Mall B, the official schedule shows. Sunday, May 17, the University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon and Cleveland Half Marathon are both scheduled to start at 7 a.m. from St. Clair at Mall B. ### What is different about the course this year? March 26, 2026, marked the announcement of a redesigned full marathon route, according to the Cleveland Marathon website. (clevelandmarathon.com) Organizers said the new 26.2-mile course brings back a legacy second half along Lake Avenue through Lakewood and includes a two-mile stretch along the Shoreway before runners head through Hingetown and finish downtown. News5 Cleveland reported that the new marathon route will take runners from downtown Cleveland to Tremont, along the Shoreway and into Lakewood. (clevelandmarathon.com) The same report said the 5K and 10K remain downtown races with views centered on the city core. ### Which roads are expected to close, and when? Saturday closures begin in downtown Cleveland at 7:30 a.m. and are expected to last until about 10 a.m., News5 Cleveland reported. (clevelandmarathon.com) Sunday brings the broader traffic impact: downtown roads close at midnight and are expected to reopen at 1 p.m., while other streets shut down in phases through the morning. (news5cleveland.com) Sunday closures along the Shoreway begin at 6 a.m., according to News5 Cleveland. The Cleveland Marathon road-closure page and local coverage also list a Lakewood closure from West 117th Street to Cranford from 8:30 a.m. to noon. May 14 advisories from the City of Lakewood added a parking restriction on Lake Avenue between Hall Avenue and West 117th Street from 2 a.m. to 2 p.m. (news5cleveland.com) Sunday, with vehicles subject to ticketing and towing. Lakewood said Lake Avenue in that stretch will be closed from 7 a.m. to about 1 p.m., and drivers heading to Edgewater should use Edgewater and West 117th Street. ### Where should runners and spectators park? (news5cleveland.com) Race organizers are encouraging public transit for runners and spectators, News5 Cleveland reported. For people who plan to drive, the station listed public parking options near the start and finish, including Huntington Park Garage, Willard Parking Garage, 200 Public Square Garage, Rockwell Garage, Galleria Garage, Memorial Plaza Garage and 777 Rockwell Garage. (lakewoodoh.gov) One listed option changes by day. News5 Cleveland said the Aecom Parking Garage at 1301 E. 6th St. is available Saturday only and will not be accessible Sunday. ### Where can people watch the race? WKYC reported that organizers published designated cheer spots along both Saturday and Sunday courses. Sunday locations listed by the station include Public Square, Playhouse Square, Cleveland State University, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Browns Stadium, Flats East Bank, Lincoln Park and Saucy Brew Works. (news5cleveland.com) Organizers said spectators should arrive before nearby streets close if they want access to those viewing areas. The marathon website also lists a 26.3 After Party at Mall B on both race days, beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday and open to the public. Friday's next milestone is the expo at the Huntington Convention Center, followed by Saturday's 7:30 a.m. 5K and 10K and Sunday's 7 a.m. marathon and half marathon from St. (wkyc.com) Clair at Mall B. (clevelandmarathon.com)