Runners visit Health and Fitness Expo before 47th Cleveland Marathon

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Registered runners gathered at the Huntington Convention Center during the Health and Fitness Expo to retrieve their bib numbers before this weekend’s marathon.

Runner after runner collected their gear, each one with their own motivations to run.

“I set a goal to get healthy and start running 5K’s this year,” said Gary Kaleta. “I think it’ll be my 8th this year and 5th in a row.”

“My last [marathon] was in 2015. I went through two hip replacements,” said Gary Kirby. “I just decided that this is going to be it, my hay day.”

Executive director for the marathon Jack Staph said around 10,000 people registered for the runs this weekend, including a 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full marathon.

He also explained the stage is set for a safe and healthy run.

“It’s year-round job. We have office hours throughout the year, and we’ll start planning for next year on Tuesday,” he said, adding that “we have a full security staff that we hire that secure the course and secure the grounds around it.”

As friends and family members prepare for this weekend, Staph is looking forward to his favorite part of the run: the finish line.

“Seeing the emotions, some of it is laughing, some of it is crying, it really is a ball of emotions at that finish line,” he said.

The festivities will kick off Saturday at 7:30 a.m. for the 5K and 10K.

The full marathon will start at 7 a.m. on Sunday.

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