The Running Thread—2023

[Blue Caterpillar]

I get the feeling there aren’t too many west coasters on these threads, but our absolute favorite half is Surf City in Huntington Beach. It’s always on Superbowl Sunday except the makeup in 2021. We’ve done it every year (except the one year I did the full - my PR full), and we typically do the Beach Cities challenge. This adds the OC half/full in early May, and Long Beach (my least favorite of the three) in October. Oh, we also recently did the Revel Big Bear Half and really enjoyed it - enough to sign up again for this year.

I'm in Arizona, I used long beach as a goofy simulation. Did the 5k, half than went to Disneyland. I'm hoping to do oc in may, prob the half,(unless the course is awesome?)

 

[Baloo in MI]

If you want to cross the border, there's always the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Flat, fast, bridge into Windsor, Ontario, tunnel back to Detroit. It's where I ran my marathon PR/first BQ. There is also an international half.

I ran my marathon PR on this course. Based on my memory it was pretty flat, it did have good support, and the tunnel back into the U.S. was a blast! Good race.

 

[LilyJC]

I'm in Arizona, I used long beach as a goofy simulation. Did the 5k, half than went to Disneyland. I'm hoping to do oc in may, prob the half,(unless the course is awesome?)

I also really enjoy the OC half. The OC full was my first full marathon, and I still have hard feelings towards it. We’re so spoiled by these races! For OC, we stay at the VEA Newport Marriott which hosts the race, and the start line is right in front of the hotel. No waking up hours before race time! Fashion Island is directly across the street, so it’s an easy walk for dinner the night before. Definitely a fun one!

 

[corn princess]

For Indiana, I'd say the Indy Mini is the state's iconic race. Course goes around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. There are tons of hotels in walking distance to start/finish line, so easy logistics.

In Wyoming and Montana we did the Vacation Races runs just outside of Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. They were well organized races in amazing settings - great to combine with a long vacation.

Another option for NV, is the Hoover Dam Half by BBSC Endurance. Running with Lake Mead in full view was really awesome.


I totally want to do these one year!

Another good one in Indiana is the Monumental which starts and ends downtown Indy. Super flat course!

 

[MissLiss279]

So as I've been pondering my 2023 goals more, and seeing that lovely medal pic from Ottawa, I'm thinking that I'd like to start running races in other states. I've already done NY, PA, VA, MD, DC and FL. What are some of your favorite races in each state? I'd prefer half or shorter. No fulls.

The Good Life Halfsy in Lincoln, NE is a pretty good half.

I’ve mainly done marathons in other states, so I can’t comment on whether the half is as good/bad as the full.

In Oklahoma, either Route 66 or Oklahoma City Memorial Halves are both pretty good.

Someone mentioned Maine - I just ran Mount Desert Island Marathon, and it was great! I’m not sure if the half would be as good it missed some of the best parts of the marathon course. It also runs on the shoulder of a highway the last few miles, so that wasn’t as nice, but I really enjoyed it.

I set my marathon PR at Jack & Jill’s Downhill Marathon in North Bend, WA. It was slightly downhill (easy on knees) and on a rail trail. The Tunnel series marathons also run the same course. I would recommend this one also - very scenic.

I’m about to run Cowtown in Fort Worth. I’ve heard good things about this race - so it could be an option for Texas. I’ve also heard good things about Houston (might be this coming weekend) - it’s always near Marathon Weekend.

In Kansas - I’m probably more critical of Prairie Fire (they have a spring and fall half) since it’s my local-ish race. I wish it was better, but it would be an okay one for Kansas. Also, Garmin Olathe Marathon or Half would be good.

 

[GollyGadget]

I know Iowa isn’t at the top of most people’s travel list, but if you’re looking to run a race in every state, I highly recommend the Bix 7. It’s a hilly race at the end of July, so you probably won’t PR (unless you’ve never run a 7 miler before) but it draws in a big crowd and some elites. The whole course is lined with spectators, some of them pass out drinks or setup slip n slides and since it’s out & back you can see the elites running for a bit.

 

[Jules76126]

If you are looking for a costal run, New England has lots of races in RI, MA, NH, and ME along the coast. Typically, they run April - October due to the weather. VT also has some scenic mountain options. Most of these options are half marathons.

 

[pluto377]

Wow, so many good suggestions! I have lots of research to do!

 

[NYC_MW]

Someone mentioned Maine - I just ran Mount Desert Island Marathon, and it was great! I’m not sure if the half would be as good it missed some of the best parts of the marathon course. It also runs on the shoulder of a highway the last few miles, so that wasn’t as nice, but I really enjoyed it.

The Acadia Half is also beautiful (and as an odd "character" sighting, runs by the Jackson labs in Bar Harbor if anybody besides me gets psyched about that).

 

[The Expert]

The Lake Tahoe Marathon weekend has 3 halfs (as well as 3 fulls and a whole bunch of other options) and you could knock out two states in one weekend. October 13-15 this year (https://www.laketahoemarathon.com/).

I did the Nevada one in 2017 as was also trying to check off new states, but my friend who ran the Emerald Bay one said it was gorgeous.

There is a similar weekend that covers Utah, Idaho and Wyoming called the Bear Lake Trifecta. They offer full and half distances, and it's in early June. https://runbearlake.com/

 

[surfde22]

If you're looking for a Minnesota run I'd highly recommend Grandma's. They offer a half and full, and the whole length is along the north shore of Lake Superior. It's an absolutely gorgeous run and has pretty solid crowd support most of the distance.

 

[The Expert]

If you're looking for a Minnesota run I'd highly recommend Grandma's. They offer a half and full, and the whole length is along the north shore of Lake Superior. It's an absolutely gorgeous run and has pretty solid crowd support most of the distance.

I've always wanted to do this one! I have good friends in MSP and have the half on my radar one of these years.

 

[surfde22]

I've always wanted to do this one! I have good friends in MSP and have the half on my radar one of these years.

It's a great race and really well put together. I did it this past June, and loved it despite getting dehydrated about 10 miles in

 

[Kerry1957]

So as I've been pondering my 2023 goals more, and seeing that lovely medal pic from Ottawa, I'm thinking that I'd like to start running races in other states. I've already done NY, PA, VA, MD, DC and FL. What are some of your favorite races in each state? I'd prefer half or shorter. No fulls.

Run the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY and the Mini Indy in Indianapolis, IN are great HMs to check out. I ran Mini Indy last year and Run the Bluegrass 5 times

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

Run the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY and the Mini Indy in Indianapolis, IN are great HMs to check out. I ran Mini Indy last year and Run the Bluegrass 5 times

Do you have a favorite Chicagoland half? I've always wanted to do one along Lake Michigan.

 

[Kerry1957]

Do you have a favorite Chicagoland half? I've always wanted to do one along Lake Michigan.

Here is an article describing the most popular. I have heard the best reviews about the Hoka Chicago Half Marathon The timing (spring, summer, fall) may be as important as the actual race.
https://www.halfmarathons.net/best-chicago-half-marathons/

I have run the F^3, the North Shore Classic, and the Des Plaines River Trail multiple times but they may not appeal to you. The North Shore is close to my home but does not run along the lakefront and the F^3 is in January. A couple of years ago the F^3 started at 0* and finished at a balmy 8-10* with a brisk wind off the lake. The DPRT has half, full, 50K and 50 mile options but as the name implies, runs along a river and not along the lake.

I also enjoyed the Soldier Field 10 last summer which finishes in Soldier Field (where the Bears play). Very well organized and good swag. There are 10K and 10 mile options. https://soldierfield10.com/

For a 10K race, I have run the BIG10K 5 or 6 times. It's along the lake and you pick the race shirt from one of the BIG 10 schools. Almost everyone runs in that years shirt. Great if you went to a BIG 10 school (I went to Purdue and Northwestern and my DD to Illinois), maybe not so great if you have no affiliation. https://btnbig10k.com/

Hope this gives you some help.

 

[GreatLakes]

So as I've been pondering my 2023 goals more, and seeing that lovely medal pic from Ottawa, I'm thinking that I'd like to start running races in other states. I've already done NY, PA, VA, MD, DC and FL. What are some of your favorite races in each state? I'd prefer half or shorter. No fulls.

I'm guessing you are mid-atlantic based on the sates you've done.

Ohio's best race hands down is the Flying Pig. If you prefer a flatter course then Columbus is great. Columbus's name sponsor is Nationwide Children's Hospital and a few years back they changed the course so both the half and full run past the hospital. The years I've done it they had some of the kids out there and it was very inspiring.

KY has the Kentucky Derby festival races which has a half and is a lot of fun. Louisville is a great city and the race runs through Churchill Downs. If you go there make sure to eat at Hammerheads. It is my favorite restaurant in the country.

For Illinois most people aim for a Chicago race but I really liked the Illinois Marathon. I did the 5K and Half I-Challenge and the combination of the rural course starting and finishing in a college town was a lot of fun.

I'm on a quest to run at least a half marathon in every state and there are some I really want to do but I don't want to recommend a race I haven't run myself.

 

[corn princess]

I'm guessing you are mid-atlantic based on the sates you've done.

Ohio's best race hands down is the Flying Pig. If you prefer a flatter course then Columbus is great. Columbus's name sponsor is Nationwide Children's Hospital and a few years back they changed the course so both the half and full run past the hospital. The years I've done it they had some of the kids out there and it was very inspiring.

KY has the Kentucky Derby festival races which has a half and is a lot of fun. Louisville is a great city and the race runs through Churchill Downs. If you go there make sure to eat at Hammerheads. It is my favorite restaurant in the country.

For Illinois most people aim for a Chicago race but I really liked the Illinois Marathon. I did the 5K and Half I-Challenge and the combination of the rural course starting and finishing in a college town was a lot of fun.

I'm on a quest to run at least a half marathon in every state and there are some I really want to do but I don't want to recommend a race I haven't run myself.

The Illinois marathon is a great one. Sadly they've had to get rid of the marathon so it's only a half, 10k, and 5k. The 5k is cool because it's at night so you finish in the u of i's football stadium with the lights on!

 

[prncssjas]

I ran my marathon PR on this course. Based on my memory it was pretty flat, it did have good support, and the tunnel back into the U.S. was a blast! Good race.

Yes! Detroit Freep Half and Full is a great race. Really nicely done, well organized, and terrific crowd support. This is a great race!

I would also say Bayshore Half and full Marathon in Traverse City is quite lovely for those looking for a nice warm weather race (that's memorial day weekend).

 

[Herding_Cats]

Yes! Detroit Freep Half and Full is a great race. Really nicely done, well organized, and terrific crowd support. This is a great race!

I would also say Bayshore Half and full Marathon in Traverse City is quite lovely for those looking for a nice warm weather race (that's memorial day weekend).

The Bayshore half is already on a waitlist.
I’m local. But not signing up for the full. Nope.