Toledo, Ohio — April 19, 2023: The 46th annual Mercy Health Glass City Marathon (GCM) is set to run at 6:30 A.M. this Sunday, April 23, 2023. The race starts on Bancroft St. at the University of Toledo and finishes inside the Glass Bowl Stadium. An estimated 6,500 participants will attend, with an additional 1,500 volunteers and several thousand spectators on the course. Forty states, the District of Columbia and 8 countries will be represented in this year’s field.
“This is the Toledo Roadrunners Club’s (TRRC) signature event and we’re proud to be able to host the Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) National Championship Marathon event. We have a packed elite field and are expecting several to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials this year, which would set new course records for both the men and women,” said Clint McCormick, race director.
The Mercy Health Glass City Marathon is the 2023 RRCA Championship Marathon event. Representatives from RRCA and Mercy Health will be attending the expo and on hand during the race to award the top winners.
Due to the growth and expansion of GCM over an eight year partnership with Mercy Health, the two-day expo has moved to the Glass City Center in Downtown Toledo. Mercy Health’s commitment to supporting Northwest Ohio’s running community through financial contributions, medical support, emergency services, supplies and medical volunteers has been critical to GCM’s rise to prominence, recognition, sustainability in the running world and in the region. With Mercy Health’s continued involvement, the nearly $1M in donations to area nonprofits and annual boost to local businesses positions the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon as a top annual event benefitting Northwest Ohio’s economy.
“Mercy Health is proud to remain committed to the health, well-being and vitality of our community by continuing our partnership as the title sponsor of the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon,” said Bob Baxter, president, Mercy Health – Toledo. “Since the start of our partnership in 2016, Mercy Health has provided medical expertise both on and before race day and we are excited to once again stand ready to offer support and aide for the thousands of runners taking on this impressive challenge,” he added.
The marathon, half marathon and relay run on Sunday. As a long-time local supporter, Dave’s Running Shop will be providing pacers for runners in the marathon and half marathon distances, as well as official GCM merchandise at the expo and in Celebration Village on Sunday. The 5k and kids events run on Saturday. All events finish on the field inside the University of Toledo Glass Bowl Stadium.
The Owens Corning Half Marathon is the most popular distance and has over 2,500 runners competing this year. The course follows the same route as the marathon through the first nine and a half miles before splitting off and heading back to the finish. The North Star BlueScope 5-Person Relay Marathon follows the same course as the marathon, with exchange zones set off the course for runners to hand off a bib to the next teammate.
TARTA will be providing special event transportation to the start line from many area hotels again this year. An official event guide with pick up and drop off locations, as well as street closure information can be found online at www.glasscitymarathon.org
Being one of the top park systems in the country, Wildwood Metropark and the University Parks Trail make up several miles of marathon course and make for exceptional spectator viewing and video recording of the event.
PNC Bank, Gino’s Pizza, Michelob Ultra and the University of Toledo’s continued contributions to GCM makes the post-race Celebration Village atmosphere one of the best in the Midwest.
As the area’s largest springtime 5k race, the Savage 5K offers runners and walkers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to participate with friends and family before the big day. The 5k begins at 8:30 A.M. on Bancroft St. at the University of Toledo and concludes with a post-race party, complete with food, drink and live music.
About 500 kids from ages 2 to 12 are expected at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo Kids Run on Saturday morning at 11:00 A.M. There are three distances children can run, ranging from 1/4 mile to 1 mile.
The marathon field is sold out, but online registration remains open for other events at www.glasscitymarathon.org until 12:00 P.M. Saturday, April 22.
“TRRC is honored to receive this year’s designation as Road Runners Club of America’s National Championship Marathon. Moving the Tom Falvey Health & Wellness Expo downtown gives participants the chance to explore our great community. Whether you’re running the full, half, relay, 5k, kids race, volunteering or cheering on your favorite runner, this weekend should be a wonderful experience for all,” said Terri Kirtos, president, Toledo Road Runners Club.
Glass City Marathon is the Toledo Roadrunners Club’s premier springtime event. — A nonprofit club, founded in 1976, and open to anyone with an interest in jogging and/or running, regardless of gender, race, religion, age or ability. Whether you are a fitness jogger, fun runner, competitive runner, or a combination of all three, you are invited to join.