Location: Corning, NY
Date: October 5, 2014
Race Organization:
The website for the Wineglass Marathon can be found here. The site has most of the information you need pertaining to registration, the course, schedules, etc. Packet pickup is a pretty smooth process and you won’t have any problems on the morning of the race. In fact, you are able to wait indoors near the start, which is nice because it can be chilly in early October!
One issue people have had is that the Expo is at one location (in 2014, the Corning Museum of Glass) and the champagne/glass pickup is at the Corning Info Center, approximately one half mile away. This is a little strange – however, the info center is located on Market Street – you will get to check out the local restaurants and the finish line of the marathon!
Cost:
The cost of the marathon is $100 through the end of May. It is $110 through the end of June. Finally, it is $130 through October 1st.
** There is also a half marathon that costs $90, $100 and $115, respectively, for those same registration periods.
I think this is a bit high. However, I did not give two stars because most other costs in the Southern Tier (hotels, restaurants, etc.) are relatively low.
Course:
I love this course. It is quite fast. Check out the elevation chart below:
Not only is it fast, it is also really pretty. October in the Southern Tier is a great time of year and you will be able to enjoy the scenery mile after mile! This is definitely a PR course and you will not find an easier Boston qualifier.
Swag:
You get a race shirt, a glass, champagne and a very unique finisher’s medal – not bad!
Other:
Weather: The weather is usually perfect for running this time of year. Usually.
Book your hotel room early! In the past I’ve had trouble getting a room as the race date approaches. If you plan on staying in the Corning area, there are several choices. If you plan on staying near the start in Bath, there are fewer choices. I stayed at the Microtel one year and it was fine. It’s right down the road from the start and it was clean and quiet.
The race is on my birthday!! If I decide to run it this year (always a possibility), I expect you to bring presents!
Even though this race is not in a big city, there is plenty to do!! The marathon website has several ideas and there are a lot more activities in nearby Ithaca, NY. If you do make it to Ithaca, be sure to check out Finger Lakes Running & Triathlon.
Overall:
This race gets five stars because it is fast, fast, fast. It is also a pretty race and it is still relatively small – something I prefer. Finally, it is a scenic race and it will bring you to New York’s Southern Tier, an area that you otherwise might not visit.
***Disclaimer***
The race has changed a tiny bit since the last time I ran it (2008). For example, both the start and the finish are slightly different.
In addition, I may be biased toward this race since it is the first time I broke three hours in the marathon – and since it sometimes falls on my birthday.
