The Toledo Roadrunners Club announced the addition of two major sponsors for the 36th annual running event Tuesday. The event’s title sponsor will be Medical Mutual and the half marathon sponsor Owens Corning.   The 2012 Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon will take place on Sunday, April 22, 2012.  A percentage of proceeds will benefit our non-profit partner, the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism.

“Medical Mutual is sponsoring the Glass City Marathon because it supports our company’s philosophy to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles,” said Gary Thieman, Senior Vice President, Northwestern Ohio Region, for Medical Mutual.  “The race is one of the community’s top events and benefits two important charitable causes.  We are actively encouraging our employees, customers and members to participate which will help the event grow and prosper.” 

The Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon is known for being one of the fastest courses in the nation and acts as a qualifier for the Boston Marathon.   Race participants are encouraged to register early to ensure that they secure their spot in this time-honored event; the Owens Corning Half Marathon is guaranteed to sell out as in past years. 

The 2012 Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon race course will again wind through quaint and eclectic neighborhoods, beautiful Metroparks trails and the University of Toledo, ranked and noted for its beautifully landscaped campus and architecture.  The course was designed to showcase the area’s most popular points of interest.  The 2012 Medical Mutual  Glass City Marathon is a family event offering multiple races to fit every level of participant including a Marathon, Owens Corning Half Marathon, 5-Person Marathon Relay, 5K and the Findley Davies Kid’s Marathon.  Dave’s Performance Footgear is the official training team for the Marathon and Owens Corning Half Marathon. The training runs provide heart rate coaching and support to help you accomplish your running goal.

The 2011 race donated over $30,000 to the Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism through the generosity of its participants, sponsors and organizers.  Our goal for 2012 is to raise over $100,000.  Anyone interested in raising money for GLCA can find information on their website, www.greatlakesautism.org.  From there you can set up your own fundraising web page that will allow you to show your progress toward your fund raising goal, send emails to family/friends and share your story and inspire others to get involved! The Great Lakes Collaborative for Autism works within the community to promote awareness of Autism as well as collaborates with community partners to provide programming, services, and support for those affected by autism.  In the past 5 years, through the Give Autism the Boot campaign, the GLCA has distributed $300,000 to 16 local organizations that serve families affected by Autism. 

The 2012 Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon is pleased to announce that we have also added a second tier benefiting non-profit organization -- Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity.  Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity works with low income families in Lucas County, Ohio to provide new or rehabbed housing, critical home repairs, clean-up and exterior maintenance.  Donations can be made to this organization through the Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon website at www.glasscitymarathon.org.

The Corporate Relay division is a focus for 2012 as corporate wellness initiatives continue to grow within local companies.  Registration fees have been reduced to only $175 per team if registered prior to 3/31/12.  A team of 5 runners will each run a portion of the full marathon course with each running approximately 5 miles.  Only 300 teams will be accepted.

In conjunction with the Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon, a Wellness and Fitness Exposition will again take place at Savage Arena at UT on Saturday April 21, 2012, from 10am-6pm.  Packet pick up for the Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon will be available at the Expo where you can also browse through the many wellness and fitness exhibitors, receive a free pre-race massage, and pick up last minute running supplies.  Beverages, food and the traditional awards ceremony will be held following the race in Lot 10 at the University of Toledo behind the Glass Bowl.   Cash and prizes will be awarded to the top 5 male and female finishers overall and in 14 age categories.

Normal and late registration is available until April 21, 2012.   No registrations will be accepted on race day.  For more information and to register on line visit: www.glasscitymarathon.org. 

The Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon is brought to you by Medical Mutual, Owens Corning, The University of Toledo, The Toledo Blade, WTOL Channel 11, Cumulus, Subway, The Andersons, Metroparks of Toledo, Michelob Ultra, Dave's Running and Findley Davies.  The Medical Mutual Glass City Marathon is produced by the Toledo Roadrunners Club.  The Toledo Roadrunners Club is a private 501(c) (3) non-profit organization that organizes several local running events and supports camaraderie through friends who share a lifestyle of fitness enthusiasm.  For more information regarding additional Toledo Roadrunner events, please visit www.toledoroadrunners.org.

The Glass City Marathon is part of the RUNOHIO Grand Prix – www.runohio.com