This was my first running of Glass City. I was worried about the weather, especially the wind. Well, the wind and the weather delivered a knockout blow that day. Wanted to finish at about in 3:28, but finished in 3:44. Some of it was the weather, but I also had very bad leg cramps. Support was great at the aid stations throughout the course. Different-flavored Gatorade was a good idea. Volunteers are to be commended for being so encouraging and energetic, even though the weather was bad. Chicken soup was a great idea and was very tasty. The course was flat and easy; I think the race should be more closed to traffic, and the city should be more helpful considering that this race has been run over 30 times.

Medals were ok, but should be bigger for a marathon. Also, they should put them around your neck when you finish; that gives you that feeling of a task completed, a job well done, like you earned it. I would definitely like to see this race run in the fall. The start was a little hectic. They sang the national anthem, and I thought we still had 5 minutes until race time, so I was waiting in line to use restroom and the gun went off. I started running and didn't see any restrooms along course. Get rid of the relay event - too congested on the course. Overall, a decent race that just needs a few adjustments to make it better.

What heroic people for our sport are the volunteers. If you run outdoor races, sooner or later you will have a day of miserable weather, and that was what happened in Toledo this year. As a reasonably competent marathoner, I was chilled to the bone by the end. If you double that effect for the five or more hours that the suffering marathoners were out in it, and then re-double the chill for the volunteers who so bravely stand out in it until the end, then it is the volunteers who deserve the medals. What can we do to improve their awareness of our appreciation?

I think this race is very businesslike and a must-do for a runner who performs best when running is the focus, not bands, costumes, purple tee-shirts or cheerleading. The race begins a 1/2 block from the host hotel (our room was lovely and however, the hotel was being remodeled), support is plentiful on the course, the course is pretty flat and the other runners are friendly. With the exception of the 2 miles shared with walleye fishermen (which has a certain charm to itself), the course is open and fast.

The bottom line is that this race is hassle-free and convenient. Notwithstanding the atrocious weather conditions the last 6 miles (man, they really sucked), I applaud the Glass City Marathon and highly recommend this race. I am glad I did it even though the elements took their toll on my performance.

I love spring races and if you are not doing Boston, do Toledo!

I came home from Texas to do this race and I loved it for the most part. I was surprised at lack of traffic control, but Toledo drivers are very polite. Despite hundreds of cars having to pass me, none came close enough to cause worry. Wow, the weather was crappy, and though I don't care that much, seems a bad time to have a marathon in Toledo. Finally, I was pretty bummed out to not see a port-o-potty until Mile 8. The guy at the coffee shop in Rossford I was forced to use for relief had an evil eye for me. Also, not very good to have no early Gatorade for the early starters. But otherwise I was totally thrilled with the medal, the jacket and the soup. Thanks!!

This is my third marathon (Chicago, Bayshore) and I have done a half dozen or so half marathons before. This was definitely the least impressive.

Pros: I am a solo runner (don't like running in groups), so it was nice because this felt just like a long run I would do. It was a nice, flat course, so I PR-ed, which is always nice. The spectators were great, but there weren't many. Multiple flavors of Gatorade at the aid stations (a little thing, but better than the same thing each time)

Cons: Almost half of the participants were relay runners, so it was hard to get a feel of pace with some people flying by on a 5-6 mile run. Also the transitions for the relay were very congested - they should be more off to the side of the road rather than on the road. Along with that congestion was the traffic. Most cars were understanding, but it is frustrating to have to alter your course for traffic in a race.

As for the pre-race/race weekend activities. We stayed at the "official" hotel, which ended up being under construction (not the race director's fault, they were supposed to be done). The expo left much to be desired; it was basically a room with a half dozen tables. Likewise, the pasta dinner (at the Spaghetti Warehouse), was sub par. We ended up going back to the hotel afterward and ordering a pizza. If I were to do this one again, I would definitely stay in a suburb (like Maumee - 15 minutes away) and drive in the morning of the race.

I would also like to echo EC's from Illinois comments about the Grand Rapids Marathon. I expected this to be more like the GR Marathon (I did the half there last year) and this marathon fell well short of it. If you are looking for an awesome smallish (2,000 or so) fall marathon, check out the GR one on October 18.

Glass City is a great low-frills marathon. If you're looking for on-course entertainment and pace groups, this isn't the race for you. However, they get the important things right. The course is flat and fast. The aid stations are frequent and well-stocked (Gatorade, water, Gu, bananas, oranges, etc.). The logistics are easy (smooth start/finish, bag drop at start line, splits and mile markers). Finally, the volunteers are numerous and enthusiastic.

This was my 1st GCM, and despite the weather it was a great race. The course is nice, everything was well organized, the volunteers were enthusiastic (despite standing out in the cold and rain/snow mix), and the few spectators who came out were fantastic. The course goes through some very scenic areas and is flat. You get a nice pullover, mug, and medal. This was the first marathon I've run that had different flavors of Gatorade along the course and there were plenty of fluid stops. The best part was the hot chicken soup at the end along with plenty of other refreshments and a warm hotel to enjoy them in. Overall, a great marathon despite the tough weather! I highly recommend this race!!

After 60+ marathons, I say that none of the other bigger races has anything over Toledo. Since 1990, I have been very blessed to know Tom, Ed, and the other staff and awesome volunteers. I sometimes hope it doesn't get much bigger. It's the people who plan and implement the plan who make it so special for us runners. Thank you!

The GCM is a gem!!! This year the weather was a little rough but the actual event was awesome. Everything is done first class. Weather has been unpredictable this past year (great example: look at Chicago this past fall) so there isn't much you can do about that. There are plenty of water stops, lots of refreshments, and there's plenty of crowd support for a little marathon. The event even gives you a glass mug, wind shirt, and multi-colored medal. I had a blast and for sure will be there next year.

After running in Grand Rapids in the fall, I was looking forward to another smaller race in Toledo. This one did not measure up to Grand Rapids.

First, the water tables were not set up for the early-starters until mile 6. When I asked about this, I was advised that the "tables were not delivered on time." Why have an early start if you are not prepared?

This race requires you to battle car traffic. By the end of the race, this becomes tiresome.

Some of the positives: the volunteers were awesome once the tables were set up, the kids' races on the day before the marathon were a blast, and the pullover and mug for the participants were nice touches.

While you certainly get your money's worth, I think the negatives outweigh the positives.