Hudson runner wins fifth consecutive Cleveland Marathon
Ashton Swinford, who took up distance running when she was in college, is eyeing the Olympic trials.
A Hudson woman made Cleveland Marathon history by winning her fifth consecutive full marathon. Ashton Swinford, who has now run in the Cleveland Marathon for seven years, finished with a time of 2:44:36 in this year's race, which took place May 17. "It's always a fun racing experience," Swinford said of the Cleveland Marathon, which is sponsored by University Hospitals.
"I like the Cleveland Marathon because it's a hometown race. I really enjoy the energy and support I get from the crowds. It just feels more special each year.
" Jacob Kocis from Versailles, Kentucky, placed first in the men’s full marathon. Kocis ran the full marathon with a time of 2:21:50. Zoe Tippl from Kings County, New York, finished first in the full marathon distance in the non-binary category with a time of 3:22:43.
According to University Hospitals Cleveland Marathon, this is a qualifying race for the Boston Marathon, which takes place April 20, 2027. Swinford has lived in Hudson since 2012 with her husband, Nick, and twins, who are in first grade. She said she first started long-distance running when she was a student at Ohio Northern University, where she was a sprinter and hurdler on the track team.