Favorite Non-Disney Race

[ludari]

As much as I love and enjoy doing runDisney races I was curious about other fun races that others have done, distance, where are they located and why they are your favorite.

My favorite non-Disney race was Bay to Breakers 12K in San Francisco. Compared to all the races I have done Bay to Breakers is really different from what happends in the corrals before the race (real tortilla toss/fight), the costumes or lack of costumes (yes nude people running), the people coming out of their homes to play music, hand you bear, etc. I look forward to the next time I do Bay to Breakers.

 

[Nole95]

My wife and I did the Pensacola Double Bridge Run 15K earlier this month. That was a fun race. All racers received three free beers at the finish line party at the beach as well as some good red beans and race. This was in addition to the usual post race handouts. Beat post race party I have attended and best bang for my money.

 

[ANIM8R]

I did the Detroit Marathon in 2012. The fun thing about it is that you cross the Ambassador Bridge and run in Canada for a few miles. Then, coming back, you run in the mile long tunnel under the river. It's pretty spacious so don't worry about clausterphobia...but it was rather warm in there and the hill going from the tunnel to street level is short but STEEP!

All-in-all the race was very well planned and that year, though chilly in the morning, the weather turned out just fine.

There's a half marathon here in Columbus, OH in May called the Cap City Half. With the turnout, the bands, and the party at the end I call it "my favorite non-Disney race". Although this year I'm very tempted to opt to run in the Indy half (the same day). It runs on the Indy race track. That looks like fun, too.

 

[paxsarah]

I did the Detroit Marathon in 2012. The fun thing about it is that you cross the Ambassador Bridge and run in Canada for a few miles. Then, coming back, you run in the mile long tunnel under the river. It's pretty spacious so don't worry about clausterphobia...but it was rather warm in there and the hill going from the tunnel to street level is short but STEEP!

If I had a bucket list, Detroit would be pretty much the only marathon on it! Unfortunately, it coincides with my local half-marathon (also fun, though much smaller) and I don't want to break my streak at the local race. Hopefully at some point in the future the dates will diverge.

The Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta is a fun race I've done the last two years. I also loved doing Augusta 70.3 - it's a big party!

 

[Ariel484]

I really like the Cleveland 10-miler...it's relatively flat and goes through some older neighborhoods with beautiful houses, and great views of the lake. Lots to look at...and I really like the 10-mile distance. Not too short, not too long.

 

[ludari]

Lots of great races. Keep them coming because I am always looking for races to add to my bucket list.

 

[Disneyland_emily]

Space coast half/full marathon is easily my top race easily over any disney race- sadly it's awesomeness is known and is selling out super fast..

 

[DOOM1001]

Space coast half/full marathon is easily my top race easily over any disney race- sadly it's awesomeness is known and is selling out super fast..

I've had that race on my radar,did registration open up already?I know it's gotta be soon.

 

[DOOM1001]

Oh my!! registration for the space coast half is already full three days after registration opening up.I kinda wanted to do the half as I don't know if I want to do a full 5 weeks before doing Goofy,guess I'll have to think about this.Truly surprised it sold out this quick,was it like this last year?

 

[sunshine269]

Space coast is my favorite as well. So much fun.

Jennifer

 

[taratru]

The Bolder Boulder 10K is my all-time favorite. SO much fun!!! 50,000 people but it never feels like it...awesome neighborhoods and crowd support. Just an amazing race top to bottom.

 

[croach]

Anything the Marine Corps puts on but specifically the full in DC. And any Ragnar runs - most fun I've had running.

 

[FFigawi]

Some of my favorites....

Marine Corps - great course, usually great weather, and fabulous organization
Dublin - flat, fast, cool, and a great city for post-race shenanigans
Stockholm - beautiful city, beautiful course, beautiful people
Two Oceans - stunning scenery, huge crowd support, iconic race
Rocky Raccoon - the best organized and best run ultra in the country. Soft trails, wonderful volunteers at the aid stations
RnR Virginia Beach - the only RnR race I'd ever do again. Run for the runners, great location, weekend music festival free with race entry

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

Cherry Blossom 10 Mile in DC is what motivated me to start running. Best friend lives in DC, I wanted an excuse to see her, she had run it in the past so I decided it was a good reason to learn to run. Beautiful run right by DC sights... I'd love to do it again!

 

[jlovesee]

My absolute favorite outside of Disney is the Kansas City 1/2 marathon (Waddell and Reed), though I will be honest I havent ran a lot of longer races. There was always something to look at, lots of bands along the route. Went throught almost all of Kansas City downtown/midtown big neighborhoods including Power and Light, Crown Center, Liberty Memorial/Union Station, Westport, Country Club Plaza, and the Paseo. It is certainly not a flat course, but wasn't TOO bad and the Expo was incredibly well organized.


Jennifer

 

[Fruto76]

Some of my favorites....

Marine Corps - great course, usually great weather, and fabulous organization
Dublin - flat, fast, cool, and a great city for post-race shenanigans
Stockholm - beautiful city, beautiful course, beautiful people
Two Oceans - stunning scenery, huge crowd support, iconic race
Rocky Raccoon - the best organized and best run ultra in the country. Soft trails, wonderful volunteers at the aid stations
RnR Virginia Beach - the only RnR race I'd ever do again. Run for the runners, great location, weekend music festival free with race entry

What an awesome list of favorites! Super envy over here.

 

[FFigawi]

What an awesome list of favorites! Super envy over here.

Thanks! I feel lucky to be able to travel around the world running races. Now if I can just get through Comrades in June.

 

[FireDancer]

I've done the Flying Pig half in Cincinnati the last two years and it has become my favorite half and that includes Disney races. It is hilly but the whole city comes out and there are a lot of people on the course to encourage you. Despite being the second hardest half I've done it is my current half PR.

I also really like the Akron half. It is a little smaller then the large races you hear about but the course is really nice, it finishes on the field of the Akron RubberDucks (formerly the Aeros), and the race director is standing at the finish line congratulating everyone.

 

[TinyDancer]

Flying Pig in Cincinnati Ohio!!!

 

[TinyDancer]

I've done the Flying Pig half in Cincinnati the last two years and it has become my favorite half and that includes Disney races. It is hilly but the whole city comes out and there are a lot of people on the course to encourage you. Despite being the second hardest half I've done it is my current half PR.

I also really like the Akron half. It is a little smaller then the large races you hear about but the course is really nice, it finishes on the field of the Akron RubberDucks (formerly the Aeros), and the race director is standing at the finish line congratulating everyone.

Also my favorite, including Disney races!! LOVE it! I'll see ya in May!