4/28/2024

The Glass City Marathon And Owens Corning Half Marathon

Toledo, Ohio

The Glass City Marathon

George McFall

Finish Time:  3:40:17

Overall Place:  414th Place / 1388

Division Place:  20th Place / 75

Owens Corning Half Marathon

Christine Churpek

Finish Time:  1:47:33

Overall Place:  322nd Place / 2229

Division Place:  10th Place / 158

Stephanie Orwick

Finish Time:  DNF

Race Recap By George McFall:

This was my fourth time running the Glass City Marathon. The course has been pretty much the same with exception of the start line change one year. I came into this race so prepared to get a BQ. The course is runner friendly but has a lot of turns which keeps it interesting. The crowd support is amazing especially on the last few miles of the race on the paved trail before making the left turn to get to the stadium. I settled in with a 7:40 half marathon pacer for the first 9-10 miles then the plan was to drop to 7:30-7:35 for the next 10 at the half marathon/ marathon split on the course. That never happened. Something just didn’t feel right. I fought hard but began losing a significant amount of time each mile and before I knew it my goal was no longer achievable so I went into get across the finish line mode. My calves and quads locked up several times. I even stopped to throw up between miles 13 & 14. Not sure if it was the extra sodium intake, dehydration or something else. I have never had that happen before. The outcome wasn’t what I had hoped it would be but I am always thankful to cross another marathon finish line – this was my 23rd marathon. My time 3:40:17, 8:24 pace. I will recover, regroup and get back out there to start training for marathon #24.