Favorite Non-Disney Race

[FireDancer]

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

I'm doing the Frederick Half this year (actually the 5k & Half Nut Job Challenge) because I wanted to get in a new state and visit some friends in DC. Had I not been doing it this year would have been my 3rd straight.

 

[Ariel484]

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.

Flying Pig in Cincinnati Ohio!!!

Both of these are on my to-do list, just haven't been able to work them into the schedule yet.

 

[RnbwSktles]

I don't feel that I have done any really exciting races outside of Disney. I guess my favorite would have to be the Trenton Double Cross 1/2 Marathon. It's a city I tend to avoid, but the race took us through sections I had never seen before. It's called the Double Cross because it crosses two bridges over the Delaware River, so the race is run partly in PA as well as NJ.

The most fun I have ever had at a "race" would have to be the Rugged Maniac 5k.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I really love the Myrtle Beach marathon. It is held in late February, so you have to keep running through the winter - the route is beautiful, the weather is great, and the course is FLAT - so it is a great chance to work on my PR every year.

The down side - it is a small race, and folks don't tend to start rolling into town until the last minute. So it doesn't have the "vibe" of a race like the Marine Corps Marathon.

 

[goofeygirl]

Newport Rhode Island half.

Awesome. Never boring. You are either running alongside the ocean or magnificent mansions!

 

[ILDisneyfan]

I'll have to look into some of these! They sound great!!

 

[VAfamily1998]

The only major race I've done, besides Disney ones, is the Marine Corps Marathon in 2013.

Still trying to decide if I should put my name in for the lottery (starts tomorrow!!!) for 2014.

Registration also begins tomorrow for the 1/2 Marathon and I plan to register for that.

My goal this year is to do one half marathon each month. Originally, I wanted to try and make each one in a different state--but I'm having trouble finding one for June--everything I am finding is either in a state I will have already done, in a state that is too far away (I have a limited travel budget!) or is a conflict with other plans I already have (like one in KY that is on my son's 10th birthday.)

 

[kappyfamily]

Vegas half this year was fantastic! Running on the strip at night.....priceless!

 

[goofeygirl]

Vegas half this year was fantastic! Running on the strip at night.....priceless!

This is on my to do list!

I am sure you are talking about the RnR. One of the reasons I haven't done it yet is because its so expensive...close to Disney expensive and between the high cost of the race, the flights and hotel...and its in Nov which is so close to the Disney race in January...I have left it for another year. I really should just do it!

 

[ludari]

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

I have to agree. I did the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012 and I loved it, however Hurricane Sandy was on our butts and the race after party was canceled. For the next few days I my flights where canceled but luckily I was staying with friends.

I did my first Ragnar this year 2014 in Key West. Tons of fun and more drinking and bar hopping then I had done in years.

Thanks everyone for sharing your favorite non-Disney races. Keep them coming I'm making a list.

 

[John VN]

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?

Another vote for Space Coast and now Celebration. Our first half was Space Coast in 2010 then I followed that with the unofficial 2011 Dopey.

Space Coast has the new 5 Year Series, http://www.spacecoastmarathon.com/, that was started last year and our early registration got us in before general registration opened. Transportation to and from the race is included with the host hotels and we even get a race day breakfast goodie bag to take to the race along with food and drink before getting on the bus. The food after the race was again fantastic.

DW, DD, DGS and I thought the Inaugural Celebration Half Marathon for them and Marathon for me, was enjoyable and we will continue to return.

McFlurry John

 

[croach]

I have to agree. I did the Marine Corps Marathon in 2012 and I loved it, however Hurricane Sandy was on our butts and the race after party was canceled. For the next few days I my flights where canceled but luckily I was staying with friends.

I did my first Ragnar this year 2014 in Key West. Tons of fun and more drinking and bar hopping then I had done in years.

Thanks everyone for sharing your favorite non-Disney races. Keep them coming I'm making a list.

We must be on the same schedule. Did the Ragnar Keys too. It was a lot of fun, but it was hot! Loved hanging in Key West. Thinking about seeing if I can jump on a team for Chicago and I think our team may head west next year.

 

[Castle2Castle]

Still plenty of races out there that I haven't run, but count me as another fan of the Flying Pig in Cincinnati. It was especially tough for me since I ran the marathon one week after the KY Derby marathon, but they had fantastic organization, local business support (P&G), community support (neighborhood parties cheering in the suburbs) and a great theme tying into the city's history.

For value and scenery, I've had two great experiences at the Indianapolis Marathon and 1/2 Marathon run through Fort Harrison State Park. It's a smaller race and crowd support is pretty low, but the fall foliage is fantastic and the volunteers are great. I love that they have a full meal at the finish included in the race price; burgers, hotdogs, pizza, baked beans, cole slaw and cookies.

 

[kirstie101]

The only half marathons I've done are Tink and Nike SF. So I guess just by default that Nike SF is my fave aside from Tink. RunDisney is so much better than Nike though IMO. But its still fun.

I really want to do a Ragnar relay, probably Napa. I don't think it will happen this year, maybe next year though. And this fall I might do my first RnR race (San Jose), I hear they're lots of fun.

 

[ludari]

We must be on the same schedule. Did the Ragnar Keys too. It was a lot of fun, but it was hot! Loved hanging in Key West. Thinking about seeing if I can jump on a team for Chicago and I think our team may head west next year.

Oh yeah it sure was hot during Ragnar Key West this year. Good luck with finding a team for Chicago.

I just registered for my first zombie run next month. It is a 5K and will include 10 or 12 obstacles so I'm not sure what to expect. I believe I'll run faster having zombies chasing me.

 

[Bookwood]

I've done The Flying Pig (and even in the pouring rain) it was a great race. I also like Country Music Marathon in Nashville. A couple more local races I've done and enjoyed Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon which runs around the speedway, and Sunburst Half in South Bend Indiana and ends in the Notre Dame Football stadium both have things that make them fun also. I really liked the course for Sunburst but there wasn't a lot of on course cheering but running into Notre Dame Stadium brought tears to my eyes (even though I'm not especially a Notre Dame fan.)

 

[Disneyland_emily]

I have a new co-favorite to add to the list-

I ran the inaugural Excalibur 10 Miler in Viera FL last weekend and LOVED it- Great atmosphere, course etc.

It easily gets added to my 'must run' list each year

-em

 

[Fruto76]

I have a new co-favorite to add to the list-

I ran the inaugural Excalibur 10 Miler in Viera FL last weekend and LOVED it- Great atmosphere, course etc.

It easily gets added to my 'must run' list each year

-em

I'm excited to hear this! We used to live very close to. Viera and when I saw this race I told DH it would be great to do. we love that coast of Florida!
Thanks for adding it here!

 

[AUdisneyDad]

I ran the 4 Bridges Half Marathon in Chattanooga this past year and really enjoyed it. Also I've ran the Talladega 21000 Half marathon and had a blast with it. It is held at the Talladega Super Speedway for any nascar fans.

 

[cfw213]

I'm still a fairly new runner, but my first half will be the Nike Women's Half Marathon at the end of April - I'm really excited about it, the scenery looks beautiful and you get a Tiffany necklace instead of a medal!

I also wanted to do Ragnar Adirondacks this year since we have a house up there, but we're opting for the W&D Half & 5k instead!