May 17, 2024
Current Year Results
Results Search
Biggest/Best Boston Qualifier
2024 Results
2023 Results
2022 Results
2021 Results
2020 Results
2019 Results
2018 Results
2017 Results
2016 Results
2015 Results
2014 Results
2013 Results
2012 Results
2011 Results
2010 Results
2009 Results
2008 Results
2007 Results
2006 Results
2005 Results
2004 Results
2003 Results
2002 Results
2001 Results
2000 Results
☰
Glass City Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Glass City Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.2 
Organization 4.4 
Spectators 3.7
Number of comments: 234 [displaying comments 181 to 191]
|
J. G. from Schaumburg, IL
(4/17/2008)
 "Do Toledo!" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 2 Glass City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
|
S. R. from Fort Worth, Texas
(4/17/2008)
 "My home-town marathon, so I'm biased" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Glass City Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 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!! | |
|
K. N. from Grand Rapids, MI
(4/15/2008)
 "Nothing impressive, but a decent race nonetheless" (about: 2008)
2 previous marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 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. | |
|
P. F. from Michigan, USA
(4/15/2008)
"Well-run, small marathon" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 2 Glass City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 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. | |
|
L. G. from USA
(4/14/2008)
"Excellent small marathon - despite weather!!" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 1 Glass City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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!! | |
|
B. F. from Mentor Ohio
(4/14/2008)
"Of the 60+ marathons, only Boston felt more import" (about: 2008)
50+ previous marathons
| 6+ Glass City Marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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! | |
|
James Bockey from Temperance, MI
(4/14/2008)
"Fantastic Marathon" (about: 2008)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Glass City Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 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. | |
|
E. C. from Orland Park, IL
(4/14/2008)
 "Poor weather, mediocre race" (about: 2008)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Glass City Marathon
COURSE: 1 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 1 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. | |
|
T. N. from Cincinnati
(4/14/2008)
 "Good for training, well organized." (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Glass City Marathons
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 1 This is a flat course along the Maumee River. You can usually count on the weather for this event being cold and windy (as it was this year and in many previous years). The scenery is not particularly wonderful but interesting - first seeing the shipping boats and docks of Toledo, then the luxurious neighborhoods of Perrysburg, and lastly uptown Toledo before finishing at the Seagate Center. It was wonderful to have a place to sit and gather at the end of a race that has seats, tables, and is indoors. Good food and snacks too. Spectators are very scarce for this event, and with the small field, often there can be no other runners in sight. This race mostly consists of relay participants. Runners share the road with motorists, which generally is not a problem; crossing traffic is controlled by the TPD. The worst place is on River Road by the turn-around. Eliminating the cars at this location would really be a plus. Awesome shirts/jackets! This event excels in this department - better than many other big events. My biggest complaint has to do with road surface. The roads in Toledo and Maumee are in very bad condition. Add in the rain, and I could never tell how deep the potholes were when I ran along. It's a twisted ankle just waiting to happen - one must stay alert and watch his footing the whole way. I went to Spaghetti Warehouse after the race. Food was good, price was right, and service was very slow. Thanks to the GCM for an overall positive experience. | |
|
s. s. from sylvania, ohio
(4/13/2008)
"please move to the fall" (about: 2008)
11-50 previous marathons
| 4-5 Glass City Marathons
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 3 The organization is great, the course is great, but move the race to the fall. Make the GCM a great alternative to Chicago and New York. This will give local runners time to train and will boost your attendance by four fold, at least! - Scott from Sylvania. |
Quick Links
Marathon Search
Upcoming US Marathons
Upcoming International Marathons
Search Marathon Results
Latest Running News
Recent Newsletters
Race Director Tools
© 2000-2024, All Rights Reserved by MarathonGuide.com LLC
