This year, Garmin took a bold step into the world of endurance events by hosting their first-ever full marathon—a milestone moment not just for the brand, but for the running community. To make sure everything went off without a hitch, they partnered with Run Toledo, tapping into our years of race production experience to help design, manage, and execute a seamless race-day experience.
From Vision to Race Day
Putting on a marathon isn’t just about having a course—it’s about building an experience from the ground up. Our team at Run Toledo began working months in advance with Garmin, advising them on the key elements that go into a successful first-time marathon: from course planning and city approvals to registration, timing, and the runner journey from start to finish.
City Coordination & Permitting
One of the most critical aspects of planning a marathon is securing approval and cooperation from local authorities. Run Toledo led the coordination efforts with multiple municipalities, including the city’s mayor’s office, local police departments, and emergency services, to ensure a safe and secure course for all participants. We handled permitting, detour planning, and safety briefings—working to keep both runners and the community informed and protected.
Glass City Center & Venue Logistics
As the central hub for race weekend, the Glass City Center served as the location for the expo, packet pickup, and pre/post-race staging. Run Toledo worked hand-in-hand with their team to manage setup, flow, and logistics within the space. From signage and layout to vendor coordination and runner traffic management, our goal was to create a seamless experience from the moment participants arrived.
Race Timing, Setup & Execution
On race day, our experienced crew provided state-of-the-art chip timing, ensuring every runner’s result was captured accurately and in real-time. We also managed the physical setup of key infrastructure—start/finish lines, signage, course markers, and aid station positioning—so that everything was in place, on time, and professional.
Our team was on-site from early morning through race completion to manage all race-day logistics, troubleshoot any last-minute needs, and ensure Garmin’s team could focus on their runners and the bigger picture.
A True Partnership in Production
For Garmin’s first marathon, our mission was clear: help them deliver a race that felt like it had been running for years. Thanks to open collaboration, strong local partnerships, and a deep understanding of what race day demands, we helped lay the foundation for what we believe will be a long-running tradition.
Planning your first race—or need a partner to help elevate your next one? Run Toledo is ready to help you make it happen—on time, on course, and on point.
