I have run the Randy Miner Memorial Run in all 5 years of its existence since being brought back after probably 20 years of it being away.  Back in the days of me being in middle school (Yes, it has been that long ago), the Etna Green County Run was held on the morning of the 4th of July every year.  The race was organized by a distant relative of mine, Randy Miner (I believe he was my mom's cousin, not sure what the correct relationship is to me). Then, in 2014 (I Think), my friend Todd Hoffer, who has always looked up to Randy Miner, brought the run back a few years after Randy passed away.
Since Todd has brought the race back, the race has been held on the second Saturday of June in the afternoon (as much as I continue to try to convince him to move it to the mornings).  His reasoning is sound, as there are quiet a few other local races in the morning, and it gives runners the rare opportunity to do 2 races in one day.  But man, the heat can be a killer.  He have seen the heat index near 100 degrees in past years.  This year, on the way to the race is the small town of Etna Green (Can you even call it a town?) I thought maybe for a change we were going to catch a break in the weather.  It was over cast the whole drive there and the temps were in the low 70s.
The four mile run started at 5:00.  There was a nice breeze coming out of the west, so the wind would be in our face for the first half, which in with the summer heat, I didn't mind at all. 
The course is 4 mile loop in the country, so don’t expect any shade but it is s true Indiana country run.
If you need a reason at this race to stick around for all the awards to be handed out, its for the door prizes.  The grand prize every year has been a 50 inch flat screen TV.
While this race is hot every year, the local running community shows up for it.  Probably becasue of the man who puts it together.  Basically the money that comes in from the race, goes right back into the race.  Todd is always trying to build the running community in whatever way he can while remembering his friend Randy Miner.  Its not the biggest race you will ever run in, but it is the biggest little race you will run in. Todd also spends a lot of time creating his own overall awards for all races.

There was just under 100 runners the first year, then last year there were 105 runners that competed in the race. This year, the race more than doubled in size with 225 runners.
The course was the same as last year with the start line being on the south end or Memorial Park behind Wakarusa Elementary School, made its way out for the first out and back down some less traveled roads in town, came back to the park, got onto the path around the park, hoped onto another road on the north side of the park for the second out and back, came back and finished back on the walking path in the park. It is really and easy course to follow and with all the volunteers that were on the course, it was impossible to get lost. Even with doubled the number of runners at this years race, it did not get too congested on the roads or the walking path.
The awards for this race cant be beat. The top 3 overall in both the male and female divisions won a large bottle of maple syrup. The top 3 in each age division won a small bottle of syrup. There is some pressure from some of the children for their parents to win the large bottle of syrup. Each runner also received a cotton t-shirt with their registration. I usually complain about this but for a cheaper race, its hard to complain about it. This year also, your tag was taken off of your race bib before the race and put into a raffle for free shirts from fleet feet, free race registrations for other races, and other great stuff related to the festival in town. Winners were drawn while everyone was running and you were able to come to the tables to see if you won after you finished.

The Mercy Health Marathon was held on March 22, 2018 in Toledo Ohio.  I ran the half marathon last year and loved the race.  On race morning We parked on the south end of campus and had to walk to the west end of campus where this years starting line was located.   At the race start, there was plenty of port a potties for runners and I did not notice any lengthy lines.  Also, music was playing getting some good energy going.  Prior to the start of the race, you are also able to check your bags at the large Goodwill truck.  They would then be taken to the finish line party and ready for you to pick up after the race. 
The race was delayed for a few minutes as organizers were hoping to have a flyby with the Mercy Health helicopter.  Sadly, this did not happen because there were airplanes dragging banners behind them (advertisements ) circling around the starting line.  They never got enough room to do the flyby.  If I could remember the name of the insurance companies that were doing the advertisements, I would post them to encourage you not to purchase insurance from them.
I loved this race.  If you are looking for a great Midwest marathon in the spring, the Mercy Health Glass City Marathon should be at the top of your list.  They have a great expo with a great mix of races, products and other businesses represented.  Also, They have a great kids expo and run.
The shirt for the marathon was awesome and one that I plan to wear often.  The medals were also great.  All finishers, including for the 5k and half marathon received a medal for finishing.  Also, you received a finishers mug when you finished for your post race beverage of choice (Each runner did receive 2 free beers).
Maybe the one thing I would like to see added would be a larger slice a pizza after the race.  The piece we got this year was quiet small. Also would of loved to have had a nice ice cold bottle of chocolate milk ready for me at the finish line. Lastly, would be nice to have a pacer for 3:05 (very popular due to BQ standards) but realize the faster the pace goal, the harder it is to find a pacer who can easily keep the desired pace.
Overall, this is an awesome race and one I will come back to again (maybe in the next year or two). It's a fast course with 335ft of elevation gain. There is a special early registration fee going on right now for the 2019 race, so jump on it now!