If you are looking for flat and fast marathons...if you need the state of Ohio to be crossed off your list...if you are looking for a good BQ race...look no further than the Glass City Marathon. I took a chance on this race, and it paid off. The expo is small, but has a lot of good stuff inside. The swag bag is amazing. They offer a 5K that you can use as a shakeout the day before the half and full marathon kicks off (I did this, btw). The race itself is beautiful and well supported. People who are cheering on the sides of the road will shout out your name. This is also a great first marathon destination because they give their first time marathoners a VIP experience for sure. Plenty of water stops, fuel (they handed out Honey Stinger gels), and lots of love on the entire course. And nothing beats the feeling of crossing that finish line inside the University of Toledo's football stadium.