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Is your question not answered here? Send us an email for a quick response. All COVID-19 safety related FAQs can be viewed together on our safety updates page.
Our courses are certified to length by USATF standards. GPS tracking increases variance and a most runners will not run true/perfect tangents to maintain the most accurate reading either. When moving around other runners, changing lanes for water stops, gel, ports-johns, additional mileage is being accrued over the measured course. It’s not unusual to see variances in GPS distances from .2 to .5 and sometimes more, depending on the length of the race and how “on course” one stayed.
No. This would be considered outside assistance by USATF rules, and therefore not permitted. We encourage runners to carry their own water and supplements this year.
Yes. There will be one Honey Stinger energy gel in each marathoner and half marathoner packet, as well as available on the course at mile 16 and mile 18 of the marathon course. We also recommend you carry additional Honey Stinger nutrition with you if needed, and dispose of wrappers in trash bins near water stops.
Bib numbers will be dynamically assigned to each participant during packet pickup. You will not receive a bib number prior to packet pickup.
Yes. At any time until April 15, 2021 you may transfer your marathon or half marathon registration to the same virtual distance. This process must be done manually by our registration team by emailing them directly. Please include this necessary information in your request email to simplify the process and expedite a reply:
- Full name (as shown in your registration for this event)
- Email address associated with registration (if different from the one from which your sending request)
- Virtual event to which you’d like to transfer (Keep in mind, if you’re in the full marathon, you can only transfer to the virtual full. If you’re in the half marathon, you can only transfer to the virtual half.) NOTE: If you wish to transfer to the 5k or relay, you can do this via your RunSignup profile as long as spots remain available, and do NOT need to email us a request.
Once our registration team processes your transfer request, you’ll be sent a new registration confirmation email. You’ll also receive a separate notice during race week about the virtual process.
Once transferred to a virtual event successfully, you may choose to have your packet mailed, instead of attending packet pickup (mask and social distancing safety protocol will be required for all virtual packet pickup attendees). You’ll be able to add-on the shipping charge in your runSignup.com/profile (until April 15, 2021) by choosing the “manage registration” link next to this event > “add-on” button in navigation, then following prompts.
NOTE: If you wish to transfer to the 5k or relay, you can do this via your RunSignup profile as long as spots remain available.
We offer a very easy bib transfer option. If you can no longer attend, we encourage you to transfer/sell your registration to another person. Many runners post requests for bibs and bibs for sale in our Facebook Group. The bib must be transferred via the online transfer platform in your RunSignup profile so that the new registrant’s data is attached to that registration in order for them to receive a bib at packet pickup and be allowed to race. Do not just give your bib to someone without following the online transfer process fully. — View the bib transfer tutorial.
If you would like assistance selling your BIB to someone on the active waiting list, submit this transfer request form and we’ll match you up with any eligible person available.
We will only have self-serve bottled water at water stops this year. We recommend you carry your own sports drink and nutrition/gel on the course with you. Many handheld or fluid belt options are available at your local running shops. We encourage you to train with whatever you choose prior to wearing/carrying it on race day.
No. We will not be utilizing a participant tracking system this year.
No. If you cannot finish the race you’ve started for any reason, we have safety personnel on the course that will help you. You may transfer to another event prior to race day, provided the event is not sold out.
Yes, provided you complete the course within the allotted timeframe before streets are open to traffic. The cutoff is strictly enforced and sag vehicles will be available.
Yes, the Glass City Marathon course is regularly a top top 25 Boston qualifier race, with over 22% of our marathon finishers meeting thier qualifying time. — View Current Boston Marathon Qualifying Times
You must be at least 16 years old to enter the marathon. The half marathon is open to those 13 years and older. The 5k is open to individuals 6 years and older. A parent or guardian must sign a waiver if participant is under 18. The annual kid’s races are limited to ages 12 and under.
Yes, Dave’s Running Shop will be coordinating all of the pacing responsibilities. The pacer times will be published on the Pacing Page upon confirmation of pacers.
Our pacing crew continues to grow by demand each year. Our goal is to provide pacers for as many of the common BQ marathon times we can, as well as many in the half marathon. The times we are hoping to fill are listed on our pacing page and are considered firm, but not concrete.
If you are an experienced pacer and are interested in supporting runners at GCM, please e-mail [email protected] us for info. GCM is looking to deliver the best experience as possible to our runners, and quality pacers help do that.
There are at least 125 port-a-johns located around the course. There will be several banks located at each start line, in lot 10 after the finish and at locations around the course and near water stops.
The marathon course limit is 6 hours and has two mandatory checkpoints. Should you not meet the two checkpoints, you will be escorted to a sag vehicle. You must maintain a minimum pace to complete within the 6 hour time limit. Those who continue on must sign a release waiver and turn in their BIB number to continue as a citizen.
All limits will begin at the time of each wave start. So, if you’re in the final wave, your 6 hour countdown will begin when you cross the start line.
This is a competitive race with an expected finish time of 6 hours or less. Because we hire police and security from 5 jurisdictions, it is important that we comply with the time limits set.
Runners planning on finishing the race must be through mile 20 by 12pm. Please be considerate of our volunteers who begin their day as early as 3am. We do our best to score every runner and do not sweep the course; however we do modify the finish area at the 6 hour point. The checkpoint timing mats are also removed at the 6 hour mark.
There are many parking lots and garages available on campus. As with any major event, expect delays and road closures and plan accordingly, so that you arrive to the start on time. We will do our best to communicate which roads will be closed and at what time.
We’re better together. Since 2009, we’ve donated over $800,000 to local nonprofits. Our goal is to contribute to several area charities and youth running scholarships. Visit our charities page to view all nonprofits and links for contributing to these charities.
The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, The Glass City Marathon encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of all our races.
The safety of runners and children are of the utmost importance to us. While strollers are not prohibited, it is recommended that those choosing to run with strollers start at the back of the field. Strollers are allowed in the 5K event, ONLY.
All cash awards will be mailed upon receipt of appropriate documentation for tax purposes. Age group awards will be mailed after the official race results are tallied. Finisher medals are given as you cross the finish line, and can be engraved/personalized in the tent on the northwest side lot 10 after the race (pre-pay via your RunSignUp profile for fastest service).
Results are available shortly after you cross the finish line, via the live leaderboard and results page on our website. You can also scan the QR code on your BIB. Finisher certificates will be mailed in the weeks following the event. Certificates are for marathon finishers only.
Please email your question to [email protected].
Please email your question to [email protected].
All registrants will receive a medal, glass mug and other event specific items in their box at packet pickup.
Temperatures are historically in the low 40 to 55 degree range here in late April. We are in the midwest, so recommend you pack for colder temperatures at the start line and possible inclement weather; dress in layers that you can discard at the start line or checkpoint/water stops. All discarded apparel will be donated.
We have the need for many volunteers during race week, and there are many tasks and timeframes from which to choose. Volunteers are asked to signup online in order to receive a shirt and be included in informational emails leading up to race day.
There is no better way to give back to your community and have fun doing it than by becoming a Mercy Health Glass City Marathon volunteer. It is only through the efforts of thousands of volunteers that the Glass City Marathon happens. Enjoy the satisfaction of helping to promote healthy living and to aid in raising funds for local charities. Every volunteer receives a FREE Glass City Marathon shirt.
There are volunteer opportunities in the weeks leading up to the event, on the day of the expo, and on race day with most volunteer activities only requiring a commitment of 4 hours or less. Help us to continue the long tradition of the Glass City Marathon by volunteering.
It takes over 1,000 volunteers to orchestrate and support the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon events. There are volunteer positions for every type of person. Whether you want to be at the center of the competition or behind the scenes. It’s also a great way for families, clubs, and civic groups to participate in a great community event. For students looking to earn community service hours, volunteering earns both hours and a free shirt. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Yes, you may run any leg of the relay as well as marathon. This year, half marathoners may only run leg 2 of the relay and the half marathon, as the half start line is separate from the relay start line. You must register for both events and teams must be filled to receive bibs at packet pickup. This will be tracked.
Many hotels are located minutes from the University of Toledo Campus. In addition we have a Hotel Booking Engine to help you locate area hotels that have partnered with our event.
Yes. This is a 5-person event. All five team spots must be registered to pickup your packet and participate. This means that the total 5-person registration fee must be paid. You are allowed to run multiple legs of the relay if someone registered doesn’t show up. If packet pickup day arrives and you’re still not able to field a full team, consider splitting the remaining entry amongst the registered members, transferring to another event if spots remain, or volunteering to support the other runners.
We do not offer registration by phone or mail-in registration forms. If you are hesitant to enter your information online, consider buying a credit card gift card at a local retailer and use it to complete registration. This way you’re not entering any personal banking information during registration.