Other Marathon Ideas (non RD)

[Nole95]

With my wife and I completing Dopey this past weekend, talk turns to what do we do now. We've spent months doing all this training, and now have nothing to look forward to. Barring a change of heart, we probably won't go back to Disney until at least Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opens, which probably means 2020 at earliest for us.

So, I was wondering about what other US marathons might be out there that are not hard to get into. While New York and Chicago are bucket list items, the lottery system for both races makes it long odds for both of us to get into.

With that being said, here is criteria I would be looking for:

1. Easy to get to. Meaning close to a major airport or within a easy driving distance.
2. Fun race (course, support, perks, etc)
3. Good organization

I'd be curious to see the range of responses from everyone.

 

[Ariel484]

Admittedly I don't know anything about these races (how good support is, etc.), but the Vacation Race series seems pretty awesome...interestingly it looks like they're either half marathons or ultras, don't see a marathon option: https://vacationraces.com/

 

[bumbershoot]

Rock and roll has some marathon options.

Not a marathon, but the Hot Chocolate series is fun.

 

[AbbyJaws2003]

Although I have never run the marathon (I did the 10 mile which shares the end of the course with the marathon) the Twin Cities Marathon in Minnesota in October is a fantastic race. Beautiful course that runs through both Minneapolis and St Paul. Apparently names the most scenic urban marathon in the US. Logistics are super easy too, not far from the airport, many public transport options and lots of sponsored hotels with transportation too. It is a full weekend affair and even has multi race challenges if you are interested. There is also Grandmas marathon in Duluth, but if you are looking for a race close to an airport or easy to drive to from an airport that one might be pushing it, still supposed to be a great race as well!

 

[surfde22]

I second @AbbyJaws2003 recommendations above. I was getting ready to come in and recommend Twin Cities as well. It's the same day as Chicago, and usually the weather is pretty good that time of year.

 

[MilesMouse]

A couple of my running friends say they really enjoyed the US Marine Corps Marathon in DC. I believe it's in the fall so the weather would be good that time of year.

 

[FredtheDuck]

A couple of my running friends say they really enjoyed the US Marine Corps Marathon in DC. I believe it's in the fall so the weather would be good that time of year.

Marine Corps is in October. Weather can be hit or miss. Last year, it was hot towards the second half of the marathon (I'm told... I ran the 10k). Good course though, lots of pageantry, and great support and organization.

 

[LilyJC]

Twin Cities and Grandma’s are on my bucket list as well. I’m not sure what you’re looking for timing-wise or where you’re located, but the LA Marathon was one I absolutely loved! Surf City in Huntington Beach is also one of my favorites. A couple of my other bucket list fulls are CIM and St. George. Have fun!

 

[LSUlakes]

I would suggest just picking out a place you and DW would like to spend some time at, and then research what races they have. The web site running in the USA is a good place to start. I would pick a fall race in the NE, I think they have a bridge run half marathon... Cant recall the specifics, but I hear its really nice.

 

[Nole95]

We've looked at LA as that seems like it might be a run race to run. Surf City is also one I've read about, and I think occurs on Super Bowl weekend.

 

[Greatfalls]

I think San Fran would be fun. It's in July. The climb from Fishermen's Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge would be tough, but it's in the first half.

 

[JClimacus]

I recommend the two Marathons I did in 2017: Myrtle Beach Marathon and the Wineglass Marathon (Corning, NY).

Myrtle Beach is run in March and is midsized (~2500 finishers), which is just large enough to have solid organization but small enough that it's not a cattle drive. I prefer smaller marathons, Disney being the only large one I care to do. I found the race very well organized, nice perks (including Myrtle Beach Marathon socks), a flat course along the beach, and Myrtle Beach is a nice area to spend a few days after the race.

Wineglass is a popular destination race in upstate New York. I'm not sure where you would be coming from. We have family in Binghamton, about an hour away, so we made it a family visit. The race itself is my favorite non-Disney race. Well-organized and friendly, a good expo for a smaller race (including a bottle of champagne as swag). The course is beautiful (Finger Lakes region of NYS), running through several small towns with outstanding spectator support. It was like the entire towns turned out for it. The course is also net downhill and very fast. The finish is outstanding, a half mile run down Market St in Corning that is like running down Main St. USA at Disney, except this really IS Main St. USA. There is a good video of last falls race on youtube.

 

[FFigawi]

Richmond
Space Coast
Flying Pig

 

[MissLiss279]

Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa
Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon

I plan to run the Columbia River Gorge Marathon this year. Should be pretty! I like scenic marathons. I also plan for Fargo to be my ‘A’ marathon race this year.

 

[surfde22]

Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa
Anchorage Mayor’s Marathon

I plan to run the Columbia River Gorge Marathon this year. Should be pretty! I like scenic marathons. I also plan for Fargo to be my ‘A’ marathon race this year.

People actually plan to go to Fargo for anything?

 

[MissLiss279]

People actually plan to go to Fargo for anything?

Haha. Well it is supposed to be a very flat race, it is one of the Maniac Signature races this year, and it’s within a 10 hour drive for me.

 

[surfde22]

Haha. Well it is supposed to be a very flat race, it is one of the Maniac Signature races this year, and it’s within a 10 hour drive for me.

Of course it’s flat. It’s Fargo. I live within 4 hours and am not sure I’d make the drive. Good luck with it though. Hopefully it’s a fun race.

 

[garneska]

I second myrtle beach. I did the half in 2016 was a great medium sized run.

 

[OldSlowGoofyGuy]

Rocket City Marathon (Huntsville, AL): Host hotel 2 minutes away from start, rolling flat, figure 8, meaning your Darling Other can see you at the start, half, and finish, and never be more than a 1/4 mile from the hotel. Great park with 100s of Christmas trees across the street. I call it my 'home marathon', even though its 4 hours away.

Myrtle Beach. It was mid-February when I did it. I believe they have changed it to March. Dead flat course. I PRed here. It was WINDY the year I ran, and I am having a hard time seeing how it would not ever be windy. I recommend it, UNLESS wind is your nemesis. To be fair, I think the head and tail wind portions are equal.

 

[ChattaDIS]

With my wife and I completing Dopey this past weekend, talk turns to what do we do now. We've spent months doing all this training, and now have nothing to look forward to. Barring a change of heart, we probably won't go back to Disney until at least Star Wars Galaxy's Edge opens, which probably means 2020 at earliest for us.

So, I was wondering about what other US marathons might be out there that are not hard to get into. While New York and Chicago are bucket list items, the lottery system for both races makes it long odds for both of us to get into.

With that being said, here is criteria I would be looking for:

1. Easy to get to. Meaning close to a major airport or within a easy driving distance.
2. Fun race (course, support, perks, etc)
3. Good organization

I'd be curious to see the range of responses from everyone.

Definitely hard to get two people drawn but NY is like nothing else. You could both enter and if one of you get lucky, the other could do race support.

From your list of races. I assume you are in the Atlanta area If you are looking for a peaceful run, I would suggest the chicamauga battlefield half. I live in Chattanooga and have Run it twice and it is very peaceful although it can be cold in November. The also have a full but it’s just a second loop.

I also just ran the st Jude half in Memphis. Very inspirational to run through their campus and support the kids as they fight.