Photo Leo Escala / Unsplash
- Marathon
- Half
Glass
Glass City Marathon
One of the fastest marathon courses in the Midwest, regularly boasting Boston Qualifying times for a third of the field, the Mercy…
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2027 edition
Next up
Countdown
174
days to 25 Apr 2027
- Distance
- Marathon
- Course
- —
- Climb
- —
- Entry
- $120
About
The race
One of the fastest marathon courses in the Midwest, regularly boasting Boston Qualifying times for a third of the field, the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon (GCM) 26.2 mile, one loop course will take you on a tour from the University of Toledo, through historic surrounding suburbs, the award winning Wildwood Metropark and University Parks Trail to a grand finish inside the Glass Bowl Stadium in the heart of campus. Marathoners and half marathoners will all begin together on Bancroft St. near the University of Toledo North Tower. It will circle campus past Ottawa Park before continuing West into beautiful Ottawa Hills. Heading north into the quiet neighborhood of Ottawa Hills, the marathon course leads you to the area’s finest Metroparks system utilizing the University Parks bike Trail and then a tour through Sylvania leads you back to Wildwood Metropark and down the bike trail to a short tour of the UT campus. All runners conclude with the finish on the field inside the Glass Bowl stadium. This course has little elevation changes, smooth paved roads, and annually posts top 25 in the USA race times and a memorable experience for everyone running.
Location
Toledo, OH, United States
North America · typically 11°C (51°F) on race day
Open in OpenStreetMapBefore you go
Pro tips
Racing it
- 01
Cool Morning Layers
Typical race-day temperature is 10.8°C. Dress in layers you can shed; it will feel cool at the start but warm up as you run.
From the temperature
- 02
Fast and Flat
The course has little elevation change and smooth paved roads. Use this for a fast time, but stay controlled in the early miles through Ottawa Hills.
From the description
- 03
One Loop Tour
The marathon is a single loop from UT campus through Ottawa Hills, Sylvania, and Wildwood Metropark. The finish is inside the Glass Bowl Stadium, so save energy for the final campus tour.
From the description
- 04
Shared Start
Marathoners and half marathoners start together on Bancroft St. If running the full, avoid getting swept up in the half's faster early pace.
From the description
In Toledo
Race Day Navigation
Race morning will bring closures around UT campus and Ottawa Hills. Downtown Toledo is compact, but expect detours if driving near the course.
Spectator Spots
Good viewing spots include the University of Toledo campus near the Glass Bowl finish and the University Parks Trail in Wildwood Metropark.
Post-Race Recovery
After the race, unwind along the Maumee River or explore the Toledo Museum of Art's grounds. The city's glass heritage is visible in its downtown architecture.
Written by AI from the course data and the race's description; city tips are general knowledge. Check race-day details with the organizer.
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Getting in
First come, first served
Register via RunSignup; automatic pricing dates and tiers are in effect, so signup early.