This is one of the best races out there for the price.. With Races starting to charge over $100 for an entry this race still makes it affordable. Its a flat and fast course with well run aid stations.. GU at almost every one. The shirt and medal are top notch and they even give you a finisher mug with a place to go fill it. Police did an awesome job with traffic. They have volunteers calling out times on the course and everyone gets announced as they are finishing in the stadium

The only thing i didn't like on the course was the wooden bridge (could be it was my second marathon in two days couldn't pick my feet up)and the pizza at the end could have been a little warmer but i also got there late waiting for friends to finish.

Good morning,

I would just like to comment on a couple of logistical items that directly affected my post-race impression of the Glass City Marathon. I finished at 4:35:53 - just to give you a time of reference.

After completing the marathon I was hungry and thirsty. Yes, you already know this but what you don't know is that there weren't any bananas or pizza left when I arrived at the finishers' tent. There were scarcely any bagels left either. And, there wasn't even any beer left! I know that beer is not one of the best things after a marathon but who cares - you're tired, thirsty, and totally drained and you are looking for anything that will make any part of that disappear. Finally, I was totally shocked to see all the friends and family members eating and drinking the things that I needed and paid for with my marathon fee!

To put things in perspective, I want to describe my experience in DC last October when I ran the Marine Corps 10k. As you already know, the USMC marathon is one of the biggest and prestigious events in the country so I am not trying to compare the two races. But what I am trying to describe is how they finished their race. Also, I do understand that Toledo and DC do not have the same size budget.

When I was heading towards the finish line I didn't have spectators and other runners (unlike when I rounded Savage Arena and was headed for the finish line and I had lots of other racers who had already finished their race and were leaving with their friends and families) walking on the course. However, what I did have was a well-constructed course where only the runners could go. As I crossed the finish line and continued to walk ahead there were several lines I could enter. As I exited my line a medal was placed around my neck and I continued on to the next line. This line had volunteers on both sides. By the first person, I was given a plastic bag. As I walked through the line I was given a bottle of water, a banana, a bagel and a box containing (OJ, hummus, energy bar, nut mix, and a couple of other things) to put into my bag. Once I exited the line with my bag of nourishments, I could meet with friends or family or continue ahead to the finisher's area where they had many, many vendors giving out free samples to help replenish the runners and promote their products. Overall, a great experience!

Finally, please don't take this email as a bashing of the Glass City Marathon but rather as a way to improve upon Toledo's marathon by bringing more runners and sponsors to create a more memoriable experience for future runners.

Thank you,

Great, race it's one of the best kept secrets as far as midwest marathons go. It is small and there were not too many spectators between miles 12-16, but I don't mind that. Organization was spectacular, course is super fast, and is a perfect course if you are trying to qualify for Boston. I had a 5 min p.r. and didn't have my best race. Parking was a tiny issue but there were plenty of other places to park other than 200m from the start if you did your research.

A well organized professional event on a flat (sometimes shady) and 'fast' course. Everything was easy - lots of pre-race parking - I arrived one hour prior to event and found parking on the west side of the campus (by the law school) - only about 1/2 mile from start finish.

Big props to organizers for finding a race tracking technology that actually worked - my friends and family (I traveled from out-of-town) were able to receive timely emails, texts and Facebook updates on my progress.

Great job!!

My only 'small' complaint was that it was a bit difficult to find the food after the race - but when I found it - the food was fine!

Plenty of volunteers handing out water and gatorade!

Pluses:
Good, fast course, well marked, plenty of gels, water, sports drink.
Thank you police and volunteers.
Great medal.
Beer.
Beer mug.
Weather was awesome for running.

Minuses:
Expo ends at 6 p.m.??!!! How about 8 or 9 p.m.?? We arrived from out of town and barely made it to the expo, which was being packed up. Very scary.
PARKING WAS A NIGHTMARE RACE MORNING!!!
Again, barely made it in time for the start and we left our hotel 1.5 hours before the start. Had to wait in a long line to get into the ramp. There has to be a better way to efficiently get people parked on campus in time for the start!! You could do shuttles from a different location or open other areas, whatever...but something has to be done. People missed the start...I don't know if I'd come back due to this issue.

Wow, don't know where to start other then I loved this race. I have done some large races (Chicago, Detroit, Boston, etc.) and nothing beats a smaller race like this. Organization was unbelievable, and being able to park 1/4 mile from the start you can not beat. My only warnings would be if you are looking for a course with a lot of spectators, this is not the one for you. Also, there are a decent amount of turns but I think that is splitting hairs. The course is super flat and in my opinion very fast. ENJOY!

First of all, we had perfect weather. I was worried about the wind but as someone mentioned from last year, the way the course is designed, the wind was basically a non factor. Water stops were fully manned. Course is flat and very fast. I've run 16 marathons now and all of the big ones but this was the first marathon that had a person telling you your overall pace at given checkpoints...LOVED THAT. I'm going to recommend that to my local marathon. I can't say enough good things about the marathon. Professional from A-Z. Best kept secret out there.
I PR'd and so did my 2 friends. Crowd was very supportive considering it is a small marathon. Run this one if you want to run fast! You can tell actual runners are involved with putting it on.

I ran this for the 3rd time this year. It is a course with the weather mild 45-50 degrees on a flat fast course through some very nice neighborhoods. An inexpensive, uncrowded marathon. Runners are given a glass mug in addition to the medal. Getting to the start is easy and parking plentiful, beer and food afterwards, aid stations well stocked, great volunteers. I met many first time marathoners in this years race and some well seasoned maniacs as well. If you have any further questions regarding this race, I'll be glad to answer if I can.

Well-run race, highly recommended if looking for a spring race but don't want to chance May temps. Great option for a PR/BQ (I achieved both). Flat, fast course, mostly through pleasant residential areas around U of Toledo and area parks. No hills to speak of. Many miles are on paved bike paths. Weather in late April can be iffy, but for those who prefer the possibility of 'too cold' to 'too hot,' this is for you. Perfect weather (40s, party sunny, light breeze) made for fast times, a course record, and 18%(!) BQ rate in 2012.

Well-organized, except course near finish was a little hard to follow, they needed more guides there. Water stations were adequately manned and mile markers well labeled with flag banners (many miles also had a volunteer calling out elapsed time and pace). Finish in the stadium was fun - they showed everyone coming down the chute on the big screen.

This is a smaller race. In 2012 there were <1000 running the full, but several thousand more running the half. Marathon and half start together so you have good company until races split about 8 miles out. After that, with the small field, expect to do some running in space unless you're a slower pack runner.

Fan support light, but enthusiastic and consistent throughout (except along the busier roadways).

Free mug, beer, and pizza at the end!

this was my 4th marathon, 1st glass city.

pros:
1- very nice course overall. good neighborhood choices and use of the metropark trails. a PR type course.
2- stadium finish is always cool
3- awesome mugs to all finishers!
4- nice asics tech shirt (hey some races still give out generic cotton T's)
5- nice sized race expo
6- awesome medal!

cons:
1- average crowd support, but then again you really need to hit up the major events for that anyway.
2- slim pickins for food by the time i finished in the 4:20's
3- gnarly wind. this isn't really a complaint just a statement that weather in Toledo that time of year is very unpredictable

overall: i could easily see this being a regular spring time marathon for me