Glass City Marathon sets record numbers

May 10, 2012 | Events, UToday
By Staff



The 36th Annual Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon is in the record books, but talk of the event remains strong.

Dr. Gary Thieman, senior vice president for Medical Mutual, left, and Dr. Lloyd Jacobs, president of The University of Toledo, were on Main Campus last month to help start the Glass City Marathon.

This year’s race included events for all abilities with a full marathon, a half marathon, a 5K and a kid’s marathon. All events began on Campus Drive at The University of Toledo and ended in the Glass Bowl. While runners completed their races, spectators and supporters were able to watch from stadium seats on the scoreboard.

The Glass City Marathon is a qualifying race for prestigious events, including the Boston Marathon. The course is one of the fastest in the Midwest.

This year’s event brought in about 6,000 runners and 10,000 supporters and spectators. Three years ago, the event was held in downtown Toledo. Since UT began hosting the Glass City Marathon, it really has taken off.

“It’s not only members of the local community attending the event, but people come from miles away to run this course,” said Andrea Masters, program manager in the UT Office of Community Wellness and Health Promotion.

Masters was right. It was reported that 250 hotels were booked, and restaurants were packed the night before the race.

Runner Julie Abrams, who has competed all over the world, including London and Berlin, said, “I so appreciated all the volunteers being out there from police to water stations. The race went smoothly, and I definitely will add Toledo to my list of favorites!”

Clint McCormick, race director at Toledo Roadrunners, said, “What the marathon is doing for the community really makes you proud to put it on.”

The Glass City Marathon has done a lot for the community, raising $65,000 for charity. One charity that benefited from the race is the Great Lakes Collaboration for Autism.

The main sponsor of the Glass City Marathon is Medical Mutual. Other sponsors include Owens Corning for the half marathon, UT, Toledo Roadrunners Club and Road Runners of America, as well as local media, businesses and other organizations.

If you missed the big event this year, check the Glass City Marathon website at www.glasscitymarathon.org for more information and registration.

Click to access the login or register cheese