Garmin, the technology company that laid claim to pioneering the first smartwatch for runners, has announced the launch of the Garmin Marathon Series, with the inaugural event to be held in Toledo on Sept. 21.
The company has absorbed the Toledo Mini, a fall half-marathon that over the years has also included a quarter-marathon, a 10K, and a 5K. Formerly known as the Muddy Mini, the race has been a point-to-point run, starting in Maumee and ending in downtown Toledo, according to race director Clint McCormick.
Mr. McCormick is also the race director of the annual spring Glass City Marathon, a Boston Marathon qualifier that can trace its roots back to 1971 and that is expected to draw thousands of runners to Toledo later this month.
“We have been maturing the mini for a long time,” Mr. McCormick said. “This was a good time for it to evolve into a full marathon.”
While more than 7,000 runners are signed up for the 2025 Glass City Marathon, the Toledo Mini half marathon drew about 1,500 participants in 2024, he said.
Mr. McCormick was enthused about the prospect of a second marathon in the greater Toledo area.
“Two is good, they complement each other very well, in the spring and the fall,” he said. “If people from our area are traveling elsewhere to run or train, why can’t we hold on to them here?”
Local marathon runner George Lathrop echoed Mr. McCormick’s excitement.
“This is cool. This is really cool for Toledo,” Mr. Lathrop said. “Especially being the first year of it, it will be on more people’s radar screens, especially with the national name behind it.”
Mr. Lathrop has run in 38 marathons, his first being the 2014 Glass City Marathon. He said a fall event would be a nice complement for runners preparing for bigger races such as the Boston Marathon.
“I wish there were more marathons and half marathons in northwest Ohio,” he said. “I am really glad this one is coming. It will fit nicely in people’s training schedules.”
“I have run marathons in 17 states and have seen a lot cool running communities but nothing compares to Toledo,” Mr. Lathrop said. “We have an amazing running community in Toledo.”
Lance Woodworth, president and CEO of Destination Toledo, said the event will impact more than the running community.
“I am super excited Garmin is coming. Especially for them to launch this series in Toledo, is amazing,” Mr. Woodworth said. “It speaks to our ability to punch above our weight class.”
According to Mr. Woodworth, in initial conversations with Garmin, the company indicated it wanted to attract as many as 10,000 runners to the event.
“This event, with 10,000-plus people attending, you will be in the millions of dollars of economic impact,” he said. “To be able to host events like this and pull them off, it will help us attract more and bigger events.”
The Toledo area drew more than 15.9 million visitors in 2024, according to Mr. Woodworth, with an economic impact of $1.8 billion.
“These people are eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping in our local stores,” he said. “They support over 30,000 local jobs, directly. It is supporting local people, local folks.”
In a statement released Tuesday, officials said the Garmin Marathon Series “will celebrate the ‘Miles That Made You.’”
“The one-of-a-kind event will welcome avid runners, newcomers to the sport, Boston dreamers, and anyone just looking to beat yesterday,” a news release said.
There will be two events, one on Toledo and another in Tucson.
According to the company, when selecting the venues for the series, they took into account each city’s existing race and event schedule, regional running communities, local and cultural highlights around the course, and favorable weather conditions. It plans on adding more locations in 2026.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the Garmin Marathon Series to Toledo and showcase our beautiful riverfront to runners from across the country,” Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said. “Events like this not only bring visitors and attention to our city — they highlight everything that makes Toledo special: our vibrant downtown, scenic parks and trails, and the incredible sense of community that makes people proud to call this place home.”
The event will include a USA Track and Field-certified and Boston Marathon-qualifier full marathon, USATF-certified half marathon, 10K, and 5K. A two-day expo showcasing Garmin products and technology will precede race day and be open to the public. There will be limited-edition race gear from Garmin, meet and greets with Garmin-sponsored professional athletes, and additional items from select sponsors.
Directly following the race, a finish-line festival — also open to the public — will give runners a chance to celebrate with local food, live entertainment, and other activities.
Unlike other marathons, where many brands may sponsor the race, this series is wholly owned and produced by Garmin itself.
“This is an opportunity to go above and beyond conventional sponsorships and create something truly special in our running communities,” said Susan Lyman, Garmin vice president of consumer sales and marketing. “For decades, Garmin has been with runners through every step of their training, and now we are excited to be with them in an even more meaningful way on race day.”
Registration for the Garmin Marathon Series is currently open for all race distances in Toledo. For additional information about the cities, races, community engagement opportunities, and future locations, visit garmin.com/marathons.
First Published April 8, 2025, 2:22 p.m.
