River Run Half Marathon

The River Run Half Marathon is certified by USATF and recognized by RRCA. 

• PDF Certificate

• Total Elevation Change: -172 Feet

• Google Course Map

This 13.1 mile race is point-to-point on Valley Parkway, running alongside the Rocky River Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks. The race begins at Wallace Lake in Berea, Ohio and finishes at the Memorial Fields in Rocky River, Ohio. A short portion of the race runs through Berea neighborhoods. This slightly downhill course promises a fast, competitive race.

MILE MARKERS

• Start - On Valley Parkway, Exactly 113’3″ south of large wooden street sign post for North Quarry Lane

• 1 Mile - On Nobottom Rd. 75′ N of Fireplug near S. drive entrance to Tower in the park Apartments

• 2 Mile - Park Place as course returns to Barrett Rd. 15′ before W. curb line of Barrett

• 3 Mile - On Valley Parkway, 694 ft. before the Barrett Rd. Stone marker.

• 4 Mile - On Valley Parkway, ½ mile north of Willow Bend Picnic area, (parking in grassy area).

• 5 Mile - On Valley Parkway, .3 miles north of Stafford Rd. On the left is a baseball diamond and an oak tree is just past the marker. On the right are 15 parallel parking spaces. Just south of Lagoon Picnic Area.

• 6 Mile - On Valley Parkway, on left is a hill and a detour sign. The marker is just south of Shepherd Lane (Parking is at the Rocky River Nature Center. It is suggested that the volunteers enter the nature center off of Shepherd Lane.).

• 7 Mile - On Valley Parkway, on the right is curbs separating bike path from the road. About 30 yards north is a reflector.

• 8 Mile - On Valley Parkway, 20 yards north of falling rocks sign, ½ mile north of Broadway Rd. sign, after I-480 sign. .4 miles south of Cottonwood Picnic Area. .8 mile south of Mastick Rd.

• 9 Mile - On Valley Parkway, .2 mile north of Mastic Rd. 75 yards south of Sycamore Picnic Area.

• 10 Mile - On Valley Parkway, .3 mile north of Big Met entrance sign. There is a bridge on the golf course on the right side of the road. (Limited parking).

• 11 Mile - On Valley Parkway, just past a brick rise in the road on left side of the road, parking lot is about 100 yards before the marker.

• 12 Mile - On Valley Parkway, 150 yards north of soccer fields, 300 ft. north of curbs, the river is on the left and .7 mile south of Hogsback Lane.

• 13 Mile - Bend of road, just before Memorial Fields

• Finish - Even with the bench on third base side of baseball diamond #3

 WATER STOPS

• Water stops are placed at the 2.5 mile, 4 mile, 6 mile, 8 mile, 10 mile, and at the 12 mile markers.

• Gatorade will be at mile 6, mile 8, mile 10 and mile 12.

• Mile markers 6 and 8 will have CarbBoom energy gels!

RESTROOMS

• Located at the start/finish, mile 4, mile 6.5 (near the Rocky River Nature Center), mile 10.

MEDICAL

• Chamberlain College of Nursing will be onsite at the Finish Line. EMS will be on the course as well as at the Finish Line.

TIME LIMIT

• The River Run Half Marathon has a course time limit of 3 hours and the course will close at 11am. 

• Participants who maintain a 13:45 avg. pace or more must register under the “walk” division and start with the 7:00am group. This is to ensure participants can finish the half marathon in the timeframe given and enjoy the post-race celebration with everyone at the finish!

Find spectator parking options HERE