Races worth Traveling for

[Figment1990]

So.... thinking about my new hobby (running!) and I just love the fact that I can combine it with traveling! Had I known that I could use races as an excuse to travel, I would have started training years ago!

Clearly what races are worth traveling for is related to what places you actually have a desire to travel to. (For most of us, clearly Disney is at the top of that list!) Even so, I'm wondering where else you all may have run and enjoyed?

Also, I'm specifically curious about the Historic Half (or MCM 10k that is new this year) in DC, the Shamrock half in VA beach, any of the Rock n Roll races and anything run in NOLA, Texas, or near an Ocean!

 

[Bephus]

I have done MCM and DC is beautiful!
Atlanta is a great city and it has both the Atlanta marathon and the Georgia marathon. Both have 1/2 marathons too (plus there is the Peachtree 10K 4th of July weekend)
Va Beach is tons of fun and the Shamrock weekend is super fun! I did the 8K and the full (you can do the 1/2) and it is a little like the Goofy/Dumbo - you get a pin for the combo.
Outer Banks, NC has a fun race that is pirate-themed - very fun, flat, fast and one-way.I haven't done it but I really want to!
Any race in FL

 

[DisMar2011]

Honolulu Marathon if you need an excuse to go to Hawaii. It's 2nd week in December so if you can push your training up a month, you can comfortably do Disney as well.

Disney has the Aulani resort in Hawaii now as well.

 

[Figment1990]

I have done MCM and DC is beautiful!
Atlanta is a great city and it has both the Atlanta marathon and the Georgia marathon. Both have 1/2 marathons too (plus there is the Peachtree 10K 4th of July weekend)
Va Beach is tons of fun and the Shamrock weekend is super fun! I did the 8K and the full (you can do the 1/2) and it is a little like the Goofy/Dumbo - you get a pin for the combo.
Outer Banks, NC has a fun race that is pirate-themed - very fun, flat, fast and one-way.I haven't done it but I really want to!
Any race in FL

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean! It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

 

[UGAFan0829]

Other than the Disney races that I've yet to do, there are 2 races that I've added to my "must-do" list...One is the Myrtle Beach Mini which I've read great things about and includes a huge medal and the other is the Women's Running Half in St. Pete.

 

[Rupert B Puppenstein]

The only races that I would consider as vacation races would be:

Savannah RNR - The city is wonderful and the race course is fantastic!

Kiawah Island - an Island just off the coast of Charleston, it is a nature lovers paradise, and not too far from Charleston which is fun to explore.

Chicago RNR - I never appreciated Chicago until I did this race. We went on an architectural boat tour that was great. There was so much more I wanted to do, so I will either with the Chicago Marathon or running that again. The bonus for the Chicago RNR is that the Expo is amazing. Easily the best I have ever been to!

Diva's Myrtle Beach - The northern part of Myrtle Beach that this race takes place is not nearly as touristy. Of course being a beach community, there is a lot to do and see. The only downside is that I didn't like the course. Didn't see the beach once.

 

[scoolover]

I have taken long weekends in Northern New England in fall for races. Applefest and The Leaf Peepers Half are nice races.

 

[Bephus]

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean! It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

It does. The weather is wonderful. Cool for running but not cold. They also have fun kids races if you have kiddos. Plus they give out tons of beer tickets! We stayed on the boardwalk and it was an amazing time. Highly recommend this race weekend.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Bephus]

Other than the Disney races that I've yet to do, there are 2 races that I've added to my "must-do" list...One is the Myrtle Beach Mini which I've read great things about and includes a huge medal and the other is the Women's Running Half in St. Pete.

Woman's Half in St Pete is a great race. I've done it twice, very fun and cool medal with a detachable charm. <3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Figment1990]

I have taken long weekends in Northern New England in fall for races. Applefest and The Leaf Peepers Half are nice races.

What a great idea! And I have family in NE so I'll have to add this to my race bucket list for sure.

 

[Figment1990]

Woman's Half in St Pete is a great race. I've done it twice, very fun and cool medal with a detachable charm. <3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This does look like a very cool race. Love the medal!

 

[cobbler]

I haven't done it but the Hershey Half marathon. Hershey kiss medal... I want one of those!

 

[DVCMAUREEN]

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean! It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

I have not done any of the Shamrock races myself but my friends love them and go back every year. March is pretty cool in VA but varies greatly.

 

[FFigawi]

Races to travel for:

Marine Corps Marathon
Mount Desert Island Marathon (coast of Maine)
Big Sur Marathon
RnR New Orleans
Space Coast Marathon

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I'd ditto the Space Coast Marathon/Half-

easily one of my fav races- great medal- great after party- nice course

-em

 

[John VN]

Another Space Coast half/full vote. The Atlantis Space Shuttle exibit will be open for this year's event.

 

[Bookwood]

My advice is to find a location or theme that interests you and go for it. Take a long weekend and tourist a little and run a little. I've enjoyed every race I've done for different reasons.

 

[rebapple]

Little rock is known for having the biggest medal and it's a flat course

 

[IamTrike]

I've done the shamrock 8k in Virginia beach, I've also done the wicked 10k. JA racing who puts both I those on does a really good Job. They also have a 14k over valentines day.

I've run the myrtle beach mini 2 years in a row. The course is flat and fast. They are changing the course for 2013 so that you spend more time on the boardwalk.

There are several races on the outerbanks. I've run the flying pirate half and liked the course a lot. They have the option to run a 5k the day before an you get an extra medal. The 5k goes over the Wright bros memorial. It's a really neat run and it's cheap to rent a house out there for the weekend.

 

[Figment1990]

Thanks so much to everyone for your ideas. I'm looking forward to trying some of these!