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Towpath Marathon & Half
Sunday, October 12, 2008

calling all runners!

Ohio Canal Corridor will be hosting the 17th annual Towpath Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 8:00 am in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We plan on adding additional race lengths at a later date. Stay tuned!

This event showcases some of the most beautiful segments of the historic Towpath Trail located between Akron and Cleveland. The Towpath Marathon is one of few marathons that take place in a national park, and many consider it a unique specialty race due to the setting and time of year in which it is run.

All proceeds from the event benefit Ohio Canal Corridor, an organization that has been actively developing and participating in a variety of events and projects to preserve, promote and educate the public about the area surrounding one of Northeast Ohio’s most valuable resources – our park system along the Ohio Canal. To learn more about Ohio Canal Corridor, visit their website at www.ohiocanal.org

how the race began...

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; in 1993, it was one of ten events that celebrated the completion of the Towpath Trail through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Since its inception the Towpath Marathon has grown to become one of Northeast Ohio’s premier marathons, attracting an average of 1,200 participants and 3,500 spectators from more than twenty-seven states for a weekend of outdoor festivities and athletic competition. Described as “one of the most beautiful race courses in America” by Runner’s World magazine, the Towpath Marathon showcases breathtaking segments of the historic Towpath Trail located between Akron and Cleveland. It is one of few marathons that take place in a National Park, and many consider it a unique specialty race due to the setting, fall foliage and crushed limestone surface. The course has changed many times throughout the life of the marathon and most recently drew attention to newly completed portions of the Towpath Trail as it heads into downtown Cleveland.

the organization behind the race

OHIO CANAL CORRIDOR'S MISSION STATEMENT ….
To create a park system that follows the route of the historic Ohio Canal from Cleveland through Zoar to Dover/New Philadelphia by promoting historic preservation and interpretation expanded recreational opportunities and sensitive economic developments.

THIS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY:
~Managing the campaign for federal designation as a National Heritage Corridor.
~Linking the natural and cultural assets via a master bike/hike trail, rail and scenic roadway.
~Increasing public awareness through community education, diverse activities and events.
~Forging dynamic public/private partnerships that develop key physical projects.
~Promoting the Corridor as a tourist destination, showcasing its natural cultural, and historic resources.

PHILIOSOPHY
The Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway was established as the nation's 5th such corridor in 1996. It encompasses 38 communities over a four county area from Cleveland's Lakefront to New Philadelphia.

A NEW KIND OF PARK
~ Imagine a park that blends the old with the new. A park that encourages new museums, housing and commercial developments. Stretching 110 miles from Cleveland's vibrant lakefront to the historic New Philadelphia, the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway is a new kind of park!!
~Unlike traditional parks, the Heritage Corridor is a mix of public and private lands, buildings, and communities.
~ In short, neighborhoods and towns; rivers and streams; museums and industries are joined into one big park where people work, learn, and play.
~ Since 1996, investment in the project has exceeded $277 million.

To learn more, visit us at www.ohiocanal.org

Towpath Marathon & Half Sunday, October 12, 2008

		calling all runners! Ohio Canal Corridor will be hosting the 17th annual Towpath Marathon and Half Marathon on Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 8:00 am in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We plan on adding additional race lengths at a later date. Stay tuned! This event showcases some of the most beautiful segments of the historic Towpath Trail located between Akron and Cleveland. The Towpath Marathon is one of few marathons that take place in a national park, and many consider it a unique specialty race due to the setting and time of year in which it is run. All proceeds from the event benefit Ohio Canal Corridor, an organization that has been actively developing and participating in a variety of events and projects to preserve, promote and educate the public about the area surrounding one of Northeast Ohio’s most valuable resources – our park system along the Ohio Canal. To learn more about Ohio Canal Corridor, visit their website at www.ohiocanal.org how the race began... 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; in 1993, it was one of ten events that celebrated the completion of the Towpath Trail through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Since its inception the Towpath Marathon has grown to become one of Northeast Ohio’s premier marathons, attracting an average of 1,200 participants and 3,500 spectators from more than twenty-seven states for a weekend of outdoor festivities and athletic competition. Described as “one of the most beautiful race courses in America” by Runner’s World magazine, the Towpath Marathon showcases breathtaking segments of the historic Towpath Trail located between Akron and Cleveland. It is one of few marathons that take place in a National Park, and many consider it a unique specialty race due to the setting, fall foliage and crushed limestone surface. The course has changed many times throughout the life of the marathon and most recently drew attention to newly completed portions of the Towpath Trail as it heads into downtown Cleveland. the organization behind the race OHIO CANAL CORRIDOR'S MISSION STATEMENT …. To create a park system that follows the route of the historic Ohio Canal from Cleveland through Zoar to Dover/New Philadelphia by promoting historic preservation and interpretation expanded recreational opportunities and sensitive economic developments. THIS MISSION IS ACCOMPLISHED BY: ~Managing the campaign for federal designation as a National Heritage Corridor. ~Linking the natural and cultural assets via a master bike/hike trail, rail and scenic roadway. ~Increasing public awareness through community education, diverse activities and events. ~Forging dynamic public/private partnerships that develop key physical projects. ~Promoting the Corridor as a tourist destination, showcasing its natural cultural, and historic resources. PHILIOSOPHY The Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway was established as the nation's 5th such corridor in 1996. It encompasses 38 communities over a four county area from Cleveland's Lakefront to New Philadelphia. A NEW KIND OF PARK ~ Imagine a park that blends the old with the new. A park that encourages new museums, housing and commercial developments. Stretching 110 miles from Cleveland's vibrant lakefront to the historic New Philadelphia, the Ohio & Erie National Heritage Canalway is a new kind of park!! ~Unlike traditional parks, the Heritage Corridor is a mix of public and private lands, buildings, and communities. ~ In short, neighborhoods and towns; rivers and streams; museums and industries are joined into one big park where people work, learn, and play. ~ Since 1996, investment in the project has exceeded $277 million. To learn more, visit us at www.ohiocanal.org