Yep, did this one this past September. DH grew up in Canton and his parents still live there. I will start by saying that I got my marathon PR on this course. The first half is very nice. LOTS of downhill. Course winds through downtown Akron and the University. Then down to the Towpath. I really enjoyed running on the path--allbeit very narrow. Something other than asphalt was very nice on the feet and legs. But after 13.1 you have to start climbing back out of the Towpath. The last 1/3 of the race is a lot of uphill challenges. Very scenic, but very hard. DH and I stayed with the 4:00 pace group through 16 miles and then just faded back. Luckily the last mile or so is downhill again. And finishing in the stadium made you feel like a superstar.
Some other thoughts...it's a small race (especially compared to Disney) Maybe couple thousand people with a half, full, and relay. Course is challenging--and not very walker friendly. Course support was great in most places, but other places really lacking (especially when we really needed it--miles 20-24) Towpath is very nice. Post-race was really crowded and I hated that you had to walk UPSTAIRS in the stadium to get any water/powerade--just torture for a marathon finisher. But the perks were great: a nice Long sleeved tech shirt and FREE Brooks running shoes!!!!!
Was this a good choice for us? Yes, we had free babysitters and the course, although challenging, was very scenic. Will we do this race again? Probably not--but only b/c there are so many others we would like to try.
