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Marathon Details - Glass City Marathon

North America Marathons > USA > OH > Toledo > Glass City Marathon

Glass City Marathon

Mercy Health Glass City Marathon & Half Marathon, Marathon Relay, 5K

Toledo, OH USA

April 27, 2025

http://www.glasscitymarathon.org

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Race Details

SUMMARY: All courses are USATF certified. A top 25 fastest course. The Glass City Marathon begins in the center of the University of Toledo campus, heading northwest into the quiet neighborhoods of Old Orchard, Ottawa Hills and Sylvania. A fast flat surface along the University Parks Trail is sure to provide ample shade and scenery, concluding with a grand finish in the UT Glass Bowl Stadium. Events include the marathon, 5-person marathon relay, half-marathon and companion 5K.

The Glass City Marathon in Toledo, Ohio, offers runners a well-organized and community-supported race experience. The course is flat and fast, making it ideal for setting personal records or qualifying for the Boston Marathon. The marathon starts and finishes at the University of Toledo, providing a scenic route that includes the university campus, charming neighborhoods, and beautiful metroparks.

The organization of the marathon is commendable, with a seamless registration process, efficient packet pickup, and a well-run expo. Race day logistics are handled smoothly, with plenty of parking, well-marked corrals, and a clear start and finish line setup. The course is well-marked, with abundant water stops and enthusiastic volunteers providing support along the way.

Spectator support is strong throughout the race, with many locals coming out to cheer on the runners, offering refreshments such as lemonade, beer, and snacks. The community's involvement adds to the festive atmosphere, making the race enjoyable and encouraging for all participants.

The finish line is a highlight, with a lively celebration, ample refreshments, and a distinctive finisher's medal and glass mug. The post-race atmosphere is filled with music and entertainment, providing a fitting conclusion to the race.

Contact Information

Name:	Clint McCormick
Address:	P.O Box 5656 Toledo, OH 43613
Phone Number:	419-356-4881
Email:	Email the organizers

Runner Reviews (246)

Course 4.2

Organization 4.4

Spectators 3.8

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Number of comments: 246 [displaying comments 1 to 11]

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 24 > ]

A. S. from Toledo, Ohio (5/28/2024) "A great first marathon experience!" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a great race for first time marathoners! Not too big, not too small. The course is flat, and the organizers and spectators helped make it a special experience. You get a brightly colored bib so people know to cheer you on as a first timer and a nice 'My First Marathon' swag bag (a cotton t-shirt, keychain, and sticker) included with the race jacket. The long straightaways sucked a little, but overall it's a nice course with lots of greenery. You run through a few well-manicured neighborhoods and a metropark. There are several quiet stretches without a lot of spectators, but I was glad not to have an audience the entire time. And the people who were out cheering were awesome - creative signs, cheers, and refreshments (mimosas, beer, donuts, popsicles, orange slices, etc.) As a back-of-the-packer, I was a little disappointed to cross the finish line and only find chocolate chip cookies left to grab - all of the pizza and other free food had already been eaten or taken away. But that is a minor complaint in an otherwise great race. 10/10 would run again!
S. H. from Waynesville Ohio (5/26/2024) "Decent race but wouldn't return." (about: 2024) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had high hopes for my hometown race (I now live elsewhere in Ohio and have run other big marathons). This race was ok, but the crowd support was meh especially that last part on the bike path (granted, it was raining, but by the time I came through it had cleared up) and the last 4 miles blew my PR - so boring and a steady incline it seemed. Volunteers didn't even know where bag check was located, the morning was a panic because of lack of signage as far as where to go from the parking area. Added unnecessary stress. And putting food outside the stadium was a long walk especially because I needed to get back to finish line to see a friend. I finished in 445, not the absolute back of the pack, and they didn't even have a banana left, just a cold piece of pizza. Wouldn't have bothered walking all the way over there had I known there was almost nothing there. The glass mug is unique. Expo ok. Overall maybe I'm spoiled by another Ohio race but my expectations were not met and I wouldn't run this again.
A. P. from Ontario, Canada (5/22/2024) "Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and Glass City didn't disappoint. Organization and volunteers were great, I really enjoyed the course and the crowd support from the community was excellent. Toledo as a city isn't at the top of my list to visit but I would run this marathon again, the race experience was awesome.
J. P. from Lambertville, Michigan, USA (5/22/2024) "Favorite Spring Race" (about: 2023) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Glass City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the Glass City Half Marathon twice. Packet pickup is always well organized, parking and start corrals easy to find, course is well marked, water stops and course Marshall's so encouraging. Even the residents in the neighborhoods the course rolls through are encouraging and friendly. I seed myself in the slower pace groups and the water stops have always been in good supply for the things you would need. The only thing I don't care for the length of time you spend on University Park's Trail. Straight as an arrow and you're on it for a few miles. Really makes it tough when your in those final miles, but at the same time it could be the mental challenge you were looking to overcome. Overall it's a great race and one that I'll keep in my rotation when I think I'd like to run a long race again.
S. G. from Toledo, Ohio (5/22/2024) "Great Race, Could be a better Course" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Glass City Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've been lucky enough to have ran this marathon 9 times and the organization and support during the race are fantastic. The expo is well run and easy to access with excellent volunteers. Along the course all the water, Gatorade, and energy gel is is as good as I've ever experienced (26 marathons/6 continents/3 majors). The volunteers all weekend are the best! My only quibble is the overall course. I feel like there could be a way to have it go through actual Toledo. The Downtown/Old West End/ Uptown/West Toledo would lead to more crowd support. I feel like the more concentrated population and businesses would add more fun! Running through Ottawa Hills and Sylvania the houses are few and far between with less people.The new bike/running trails (Chessie Circle Trail) could be included. Downtown is much nicer then it was 15 years ago, include it! The last 4 miles on the University Parks Trail is draining, it's a no man's land with little to no crowd support, and this is when you need it most! Getting the Toledo community involved would be great and ending the marathon by running with some crowd support would be much better. I know the logistics might be more difficult but a race through Toledo and an ending downtown might be just what this race needs to take it to the next level and attract more participants. Make it happen Clint!
J. G. from Sylvania, OH (5/21/2024) "Outstanding Organization, Outstanding Race" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. The communication, information, organization and volunteers are top notch, some of the best around. The course is awesome, very flat and with a great variation of trails, streets and neighborhoods. The spectators are incredible, supportive, fun and line the course at nearly every mile.
M. M. from Detroit, Michigan (5/21/2024) "Half was great!" (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the half this year (2024) and it was great! Only thing is there were more hills than I expected so make sure to train for hills! The course was beautiful! I loved how you got some city and some nature! This event was very well organized and have zero complaints!
R. C. from Ohio (5/21/2024) "Best Flat course ever!" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Glass City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Even in pouring rain and humid temperatures this course had great crowd support, lots of water stops, well organized, and flat course to run on. What else could you want?
H. T. from Ohio (5/21/2024) "Great course, but could use some improvement." (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 They ran out of gels on the course. I was not prepared for that. It really de-railed my plan. I found out later that early runners were being allowed to grab handfuls of gels instead of 1-2. I was not offered one of those heat blankets after the race like others were. And there weren't enough bathrooms on the course because every one I saw had a long line and that also hurt my time. I held it for an hour before I caved. Over all it was a good course and I felt like it was run pretty well. Just a few things I'd fix!
S. W. from Michigan (4/26/2023) "Very well organized and fast" (about: 2023) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fun, scenic and very fast. A few inclines on the course, but no actual hills. Plenty of water stations on the course with enthusiastic volunteers. Course was clearly marked with course marshals at intersections for extra guidance. Plentiful free parking very close to start and finish lines. Fantastic pacers, great photographers, and helpful staff. Great jacket for those who sign up early, and a fun glass mug at the finish line along with your medal. Porta potty lines pre-race were long, just allow 15 minutes or use the ones near the finish line instead. Most water stops were on the left side of the road; I would have preferred them on the right since people tend to pass on the left, but that's the only thing I'd change. Great race!

More Comments: [ < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 .. 24 > ]



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A. S. from Toledo, Ohio (5/28/2024) "A great first marathon experience!" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This is a great race for first time marathoners! Not too big, not too small. The course is flat, and the organizers and spectators helped make it a special experience. You get a brightly colored bib so people know to cheer you on as a first timer and a nice 'My First Marathon' swag bag (a cotton t-shirt, keychain, and sticker) included with the race jacket. The long straightaways sucked a little, but overall it's a nice course with lots of greenery. You run through a few well-manicured neighborhoods and a metropark. There are several quiet stretches without a lot of spectators, but I was glad not to have an audience the entire time. And the people who were out cheering were awesome - creative signs, cheers, and refreshments (mimosas, beer, donuts, popsicles, orange slices, etc.) As a back-of-the-packer, I was a little disappointed to cross the finish line and only find chocolate chip cookies left to grab - all of the pizza and other free food had already been eaten or taken away. But that is a minor complaint in an otherwise great race. 10/10 would run again!
S. H. from Waynesville Ohio (5/26/2024) "Decent race but wouldn't return." (about: 2024) 4-5 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 3 I had high hopes for my hometown race (I now live elsewhere in Ohio and have run other big marathons). This race was ok, but the crowd support was meh especially that last part on the bike path (granted, it was raining, but by the time I came through it had cleared up) and the last 4 miles blew my PR - so boring and a steady incline it seemed. Volunteers didn't even know where bag check was located, the morning was a panic because of lack of signage as far as where to go from the parking area. Added unnecessary stress. And putting food outside the stadium was a long walk especially because I needed to get back to finish line to see a friend. I finished in 445, not the absolute back of the pack, and they didn't even have a banana left, just a cold piece of pizza. Wouldn't have bothered walking all the way over there had I known there was almost nothing there. The glass mug is unique. Expo ok. Overall maybe I'm spoiled by another Ohio race but my expectations were not met and I wouldn't run this again.
A. P. from Ontario, Canada (5/22/2024) "Great Marathon Experience" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 This was my first marathon, and Glass City didn't disappoint. Organization and volunteers were great, I really enjoyed the course and the crowd support from the community was excellent. Toledo as a city isn't at the top of my list to visit but I would run this marathon again, the race experience was awesome.
J. P. from Lambertville, Michigan, USA (5/22/2024) "Favorite Spring Race" (about: 2023) 3 previous marathons \| 2 Glass City Marathons COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I've run the Glass City Half Marathon twice. Packet pickup is always well organized, parking and start corrals easy to find, course is well marked, water stops and course Marshall's so encouraging. Even the residents in the neighborhoods the course rolls through are encouraging and friendly. I seed myself in the slower pace groups and the water stops have always been in good supply for the things you would need. The only thing I don't care for the length of time you spend on University Park's Trail. Straight as an arrow and you're on it for a few miles. Really makes it tough when your in those final miles, but at the same time it could be the mental challenge you were looking to overcome. Overall it's a great race and one that I'll keep in my rotation when I think I'd like to run a long race again.
S. G. from Toledo, Ohio (5/22/2024) "Great Race, Could be a better Course" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 6+ Glass City Marathons COURSE: 2 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 3 I've been lucky enough to have ran this marathon 9 times and the organization and support during the race are fantastic. The expo is well run and easy to access with excellent volunteers. Along the course all the water, Gatorade, and energy gel is is as good as I've ever experienced (26 marathons/6 continents/3 majors). The volunteers all weekend are the best! My only quibble is the overall course. I feel like there could be a way to have it go through actual Toledo. The Downtown/Old West End/ Uptown/West Toledo would lead to more crowd support. I feel like the more concentrated population and businesses would add more fun! Running through Ottawa Hills and Sylvania the houses are few and far between with less people.The new bike/running trails (Chessie Circle Trail) could be included. Downtown is much nicer then it was 15 years ago, include it! The last 4 miles on the University Parks Trail is draining, it's a no man's land with little to no crowd support, and this is when you need it most! Getting the Toledo community involved would be great and ending the marathon by running with some crowd support would be much better. I know the logistics might be more difficult but a race through Toledo and an ending downtown might be just what this race needs to take it to the next level and attract more participants. Make it happen Clint!
J. G. from Sylvania, OH (5/21/2024) "Outstanding Organization, Outstanding Race" (about: 2024) 1 previous marathon \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I love this race. The communication, information, organization and volunteers are top notch, some of the best around. The course is awesome, very flat and with a great variation of trails, streets and neighborhoods. The spectators are incredible, supportive, fun and line the course at nearly every mile.
M. M. from Detroit, Michigan (5/21/2024) "Half was great!" (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I did the half this year (2024) and it was great! Only thing is there were more hills than I expected so make sure to train for hills! The course was beautiful! I loved how you got some city and some nature! This event was very well organized and have zero complaints!
R. C. from Ohio (5/21/2024) "Best Flat course ever!" (about: 2024) 11-50 previous marathons \| 2 Glass City Marathons COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 Even in pouring rain and humid temperatures this course had great crowd support, lots of water stops, well organized, and flat course to run on. What else could you want?
H. T. from Ohio (5/21/2024) "Great course, but could use some improvement." (about: 2024) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 They ran out of gels on the course. I was not prepared for that. It really de-railed my plan. I found out later that early runners were being allowed to grab handfuls of gels instead of 1-2. I was not offered one of those heat blankets after the race like others were. And there weren't enough bathrooms on the course because every one I saw had a long line and that also hurt my time. I held it for an hour before I caved. Over all it was a good course and I felt like it was run pretty well. Just a few things I'd fix!
S. W. from Michigan (4/26/2023) "Very well organized and fast" (about: 2023) 2 previous marathons \| 1 Glass City Marathon COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 4 Fun, scenic and very fast. A few inclines on the course, but no actual hills. Plenty of water stations on the course with enthusiastic volunteers. Course was clearly marked with course marshals at intersections for extra guidance. Plentiful free parking very close to start and finish lines. Fantastic pacers, great photographers, and helpful staff. Great jacket for those who sign up early, and a fun glass mug at the finish line along with your medal. Porta potty lines pre-race were long, just allow 15 minutes or use the ones near the finish line instead. Most water stops were on the left side of the road; I would have preferred them on the right since people tend to pass on the left, but that's the only thing I'd change. Great race!

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Marathon Details - Glass City Marathon