The Grand Lake Marathon is on the smaller size as far as Marathons go, but don't let that keep you away. The day before is packet pickup at the county fairgrounds about a mile away from the starting line. They state there is no race day pick up, but I think if you got in contact with them, they will help you out. I did think that closing packet pick up at 7:00 PM made it hard for people traveling from out of town. Also, consider the pasta dinner the race puts on. There really are no local places to carboload and we traveled 30 minutes to find a good place to eat.
The marathon, half marathon, and 5k all start right at the lake in Celina, OH. You could not park by the start/finish line. They ask that you park at the fairgrounds and they provide bus transportation to the start before and after the race. Busses kept coming and going so there wasn't much wait time throughout the day.
The race started on time as there was a clock counting down to the start that was started an hour before the race. The race does being in Marathon Maniacs as pacers as well if that is your thing. I talked to a couple following the race. Great people and had a lot of experience pacing in the past.
The course starts off the first mile along the lake but then you don't see the lake again until mile 8. There are also a few rolling hills in this section.
For the next few miles you run along the lake until the half and full splits. The half marathon finishes in St. Mary's and buses transports you back to Celina after the race. After roughly 11 miles, it flattens out and you are mainly running in the country surrounded by corn fields, which reminds me of where I do most of my long runs. Miles 14-20 are kind of a grind, not because of hills, but because you continually run straight. After 20, the roads start pounding on you. The bad thing about country roads is that they are typically crowned. My feet started to go numb. After mile 20, the roads started to turn more and the turns were banked causing a little more discomfort.
The last mile of the course you get a beautiful view of the finish as you run along the lake. Once you get to the lighthouse, it's one turn to go and you are finished.
This is not a truly fast course, but if you run conservatively early, you can run a good time.
Aid stations were well staffed with water and electrolytes. Be sure to say what drink you want. I thought I got water, dumped it on my head and found out it wasn't water. Also there were several aid stations with gels as well.

Pros:
Nice shirts with a map of the lake and the course highlited in orange. Different but thought it turned out nice.
Nice finishers medals with part of it being stained glass.
Packet pickup was easy
Well marked course
Great volunteers.
I can't remember the entry fee, but it was t bad especially if you register early.

If your in the Indiana/Michigan/Kentucky/Ohio area, give this race a shot. It's small but they make it a great atmosphere.
To read more on my race experience and see more pictures, go to my blog at:
https://daddydidyouwin.wordpress.com/2015/09/28/grand-lake-marathon/