The expo was convenient and the pasta dinner was fresh and tasty. Though the weather had been chilly the day before, the race day brought 50F+ temps and runners could go inside before the start in Bath, NY at the Phillips lighting plant. The bus to the start was also very professional.

Remember to bring your own gel and I liked the concurrent running of the marathon relay, although the relay bibs should have been a different color so a glance could tell the story of who's who. There were no hills, as it ran in a river valley towards Corning.

This is a beautiful part of the country and organized really well for such a small field. I agree that the race description is misleading to call it downhill. Flat terrain with some unexpected hills and lots of time in vacant cow fields. I ran much stronger and faster at Boston! The glass finisher's medal is my favorite so far and the post-race food and large number of massage therapists were perfect. If it is one of those days that you need strong crowd support and others runners to get you through hard miles, I would not recommend this course. Overall, enjoyable but I'll choose a different marathon next fall.

I had heard nothing but good things about Wineglass and I agree wholeheartedly. The course is substantially downhill but there are a few spots that are long but gradual climbs. Not enough to slow you down but enough to notice the workload increase. The course is very well marked on the road and driving the route the day before is a worthwhile exercise. Running with traffic is a bit of a downside but it isn't heavy. You just need to be aware and understand that tangents are pretty much out. Also the camber of the road can become annoying. The water stops are well manned and plentiful. The finish line in the park was very nice and the food, massage and other amenities were well done.
The registration is just that and no more. However that should come as no surprise to anyone. The pasta dinner was great as Dick Beardsley is a wonderful motivational speaker.

Bottom line is that the course is very nice as long as you are very self-motivated. Few spectators and many miles of solo running are possible, depending on your pace.

A great place to go and avoid the pre-race tension at the start line and porta-johns while running a fast time.

This was my first marathon and it was excellent. The course was marked with spray-painted markers the day before so I could drive it and know what to expect. Packet pick-up was easy and the volunteers were friendly. I loved the champagne split. I wasn't excited about the shirt design. The shirt itself is really nice but I was sure it would have a special design for the 25th anniversary. But for $10 I picked up the shirt from last year which has a fantastic design. My family and I visited the Hands On Glass shop to make paperweights and ornaments. They were working on the medals while we were there, which was really neat. I love the medal and would suggest anyone visiting Corning go to the Hands On Glass place to make a special memento. It was easy for my family to cheer me on at various locations of the course which was a huge plus. Water stops were manned with friendly people. Thank you volunteers! After the race the food was good and I got a much needed massage without any hassle. I really enjoyed the company of my fellow runners. Thanks to Nancy from Miss., Boston Bob and family, Canandaigua Dave, Ramona's husband, Skip, Vinnie from Corning, and all the other runners who kept me going!!

The point-to-point course is fairly unique and represents something different from the more common loop. The course runs through a variety of environments, several of which are beautiful (if you also look left and right). The accessibility to spectators provides the opportunity to see the same people multiple times. The glass finisher medals display uniquely among the metal medals.

Appreciate not getting yet another cotton shirt, and one that doesn't seem like you are wearing a "billboard" of sponsor advertisements.

Gatorade and water were plentiful at the numerous, well volunteered water stops. Plenty of volunteers along the course and at the finish.

Only negative is that this year there was little food and drink (except water) left for us back-of-the-pack finishers.

If you haven't run it, give it a try. If you have, come again.

First time running this race. I have done 14 marathons. The Wineglass is a great race. The course is more than fair. Water stops were plentiful. I was able to qualify for Boston with a couple of minutes to spare. It was a five-hour drive for me, but well worth it.

It was a perfect day for a marathon with cool temps to start and a slight tailwind - and the rain held off. This is the 4th time I have run this marathon and swore after the last time in '03 I would never run it again. I am pleased to say that all of my complaints from before have been corrected! The finish area was great, with plenty of food left for us mid-pack runners (it is good soup). The shirts and medals are nice. I still recommend Disney if you want a big race, but for a nice, small affair with great fall scenery, super runners, and plenty of cows to cheer you on, this was fantastic. I will definitely be back!

They had put up the elevation of the course and everyone I talked to said the same thing: it was supposed to be starting high and going downhill. I wouldn't have minded the hills if they were exposed to me, but they weren't. I was also almost hit by a car coming out of a package store parking lot at the turn around by Mile 24. The woman never stopped either. I had bought a pasta meal ticket but decided to go to an area restaurant, since it was cold and raining and you were set up in the park in a tent - and may I say, a cramped tent. Course was good {if you had said there were more hills than you published}. Volunteers were great. Thank you.

This is the smallest marathon I have run. It's intimate and has a lovely course.

Positives:

1. No hassles. You can roll out of your hotel bed and walk five minutes to the bus at the start.
2. Start is actually at a Lighting Plant where you can wait inside at their cafeteria.
3. Lovely medal with beautiful ribbon.
4. Great finish line food including Minestrone soup and sicilian/or pepperoni pizza.
5. Lots of water stations with friendly volunteers.
6. Corning is a lovely little town.... and The Glass Museum is superb.


Suggestions:

1. It was the general consensus that the race t-shirt was unbelievably ugly, all the more surprising given the fact that it was the 25th running and last year's shirt was so nice.
2. No expo to speak of.
3. No real community spirit (i.e., no signs or posters). You would never know that a marathon was being held... and there were more signs welcoming The New York State World Organization of China Painters!
4. No Gu or gels on the course.
5. And as the guy from Rochester says... don't email with questions (I tried twice). You will never hear from them.

This was my first marathon (1998). I qualified for Boston - just under the wire. I've run it 8 consecutive times and still find it to be inspiring. The 2005 event had a new finish in a beautiful park that was great for runners and families. The glass "sun-catcher" medallion is a unique gem. They look great in our windows. I've gotten 8 so far and my wife says my mission is to fill all the windows.