WISH team coming to your area!

[Optimator]

Mike...are you anywhere near Virginia Beach? I have the Yeungling Shamrock Half on my to do list. Have you heard anything about that one?

Mel - I'm in the same state but about 3 hours away. The Shamrock half and full look like a lot of fun. I was really thinking about doing the full until I saw that the "nice" hotels looked like they all had 2 night minimums. That made the Wirefly National in DC a cheaper pick for me.

Are you sure you want to come north of NC in March? You'll freeze your patootie off!

Dave - I'm really going to try to do Cleveland in May. Kathy is doing Minnie with a friend and I need something to work for in the late spring.

 

[wtpclc]

Hmmm...CLeveland might happen here. Dh really wants a race to do to parallel my Minnie. That may be a good road trip. Of course, it means that I'm busy evey weekend in May, but that seems to be the story of my life...

Unless Kritsa and Steven drag him to the pig. He doesn't liek to road trip alone, though.

 

[Creativebeth]

Monte, yeah I know how the hotel thing goes! My dh already booked our hotel for next year. I stayed really close to the start last time......just walked for a few minutes straight out and I was there! Much better than the year before. We had a 20 min drive to get there, and my family volunteered at a water station and they had to be there at 5:30 AM! Ouch!

Beth

 

[getnthinr]

One of the best destination marathons in NC (my opinion, of course) is the OBX Half and Marathon at Kitty Hawk NC -- very Penguin and walker friendly. The area has three lighthouses, some great restaurants, Roanoke Festival Park (a historical made-for-families place), an aquarium -- and then the outlet malls!

There are some other nice races that make good Disney prep in or near NC as well -- the Mistletoe Half Marathon in Winston Salem and a turkey trot in Pinehurst, but they are kinda lonely at the back.

For SC, if the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February doesn't appeal to you, there's always Kiawah Island Marathon and Half the 2nd weekend in December (good for that last long run before Disney) about an hour from Charleston and an hour-and-a-half from Savannah -- two great cities with lots of possibilities for tours, activities, and restaurant meetings. Kiawah can be quite expensive though, unless we could arrange to share a condo (which is what I did this year with some members of my Galloway group). It's a resort island, complete with luxurious spa. Great low-key scenic race with a generous time limit.

Those are my best suggestions.

 

[monte]

Beth, my sister and I are staying at the Super 8 on Atlantic Ave., across from the beach, so hopefully it's not too far from the start/finish line. Where are you staying?

 

[getnthinr]

Beth, my sister and I are staying at the Super 8 on Atlantic Ave., across from the beach, so hopefully it's not too far from the start/finish line. Where are you staying?

I'd like ideas on where to stay as well. The most economical option is to catch the race shuttle in from the Virginia Beach Amphitheatre in Hampton Roads, but then you have to wait in the hot sun for the bus ride back. I'd rather be closer to the start. I wish I'd kept the hotel list from last year.

 

[monte]

Wendy,

Try www.rnrhalf.com to see if they still have the hotel listings.

 

[Steffwalks]

I am doing the OKC Memorial Half Marathon on April 27th. I managed to get one of the discounted rooms at the Sheraton (less than 1/2 price), 6 blocks from the start. This is a VERY walker friendly race. As well as the half there will be a full and a 5K. It all starts at the site/memorial of the Alfred P. Murrow building that was bombed.

 

[gatorphipps]

For SC, if the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February doesn't appeal to you, there's always Kiawah Island Marathon and Half the 2nd weekend in December (good for that last long run before Disney) about an hour from Charleston and an hour-and-a-half from Savannah -- two great cities with lots of possibilities for tours, activities, and restaurant meetings. Kiawah can be quite expensive though, unless we could arrange to share a condo (which is what I did this year with some members of my Galloway group). It's a resort island, complete with luxurious spa. Great low-key scenic race with a generous time limit.

Those are my best suggestions.

Wendy, are you doing Myrtle Beach? DH may do the 1/2. I will be there but won't run it if I sign up for White Lake 1/2 Ironman on May 3rd.

Wendy, are you doing Thunder Road next weekend?

We (Bree and I) are most likely doing the MAP Tri in March at the Huntersville aquatic Center. I think someone from NC said they may do this one too. It is a GREAT 1st Tri b/c the swim is in a pool and set up well!

Any takers?

 

[chimera]

This month's Running Times magazine has a handy 2008 Race Calendar for your planning enjoyment

 

[CynthiaCindy]

The races that I am already registered for for next year are the Wirefly National Half Marathon (in D.C.) and the Rock N' Roll San Diego Marathon. I would love to have other WISHers join me (and actually get to meet some of you)!

I ran the VA Beach Rock N' Roll Half this past Labor Day weekend and really enjoyed that race. I am thinking of running it again and would definitely if it wasn't so expensive. The hotels really jack up the prices and all the hotels near the finish (where we wanted to stay to be close to all the events going on, including the concerts) had a three night minimum stay. I guess I'll just have to see what other races/vacations sneak into my schedule for the coming year. I do have to say that I thought it was worth it to stay near the finish and be able to walk back to the hotel after the race and not worry about taking a shuttle and also be able to walk to the concerts on Sat. and Sun. night.

 

[Jen117]

I everyone. I think I am the only Wisconsin runner here, but I am planning to do the Minnie in May (can't wait) and then possibly either the Green Bay (Go Packers) 1/2 Marathon or the Madison (GO Badgers) 1/2 Marathon. It depends on when my daughters have their dance recital. Both events have a full marathon also. I did the Green Bay 1/2 last year and really enjoyed it.

I have no other plans. I liked the Chicago Distance Classic last year, but August is a bad month for me.

 

[monte]

I just received a email from Elite Racing and if you use the code, "Holiday", by Dec. 10th you get $10.00 off the Va. Beach marathon! Go to www.rnrvb.com to register.

 

[WDWFAN9]

I everyone. I think I am the only Wisconsin runner here, but I am planning to do the Minnie in May (can't wait) and then possibly either the Green Bay (Go Packers) 1/2 Marathon or the Madison (GO Badgers) 1/2 Marathon. It depends on when my daughters have their dance recital. Both events have a full marathon also. I did the Green Bay 1/2 last year and really enjoyed it.

I have no other plans. I liked the Chicago Distance Classic last year, but August is a bad month for me.

Hey Jen! When are those WI 1/2s? I need cross WI off my list....do you know of a 1/2 in Milwaukee, or something close to the IL border? I can only find info about a full in Milwaukee and I really need to do a WI 1/2. I would be especially happy with a FLAT course!!

 

[Jen117]

The Cellcom Green Bay 1/2 and Full Marathon is Sunday, May 18
http://http://www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com

The Madison 1/2 and Full Marathon is Sunday, May 25
http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/index.html

I don't know which one I will do, it will depend on which weekend my DD has her dance recitel. I did the Green Bay 1/2 last year and besides it being really cold, it was a lot of fun for a race I did alone.

I am not sure on the Milwaukee 1/2 marathons, but will keep my eyes open for you. The Fox Cities 1/2 and Full is also supposed to be really nice. I have talked to a lot of people that have ran that one.

 

[WDWFAN9]

The Cellcom Green Bay 1/2 and Full Marathon is Sunday, May 18
http://http://www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com

The Madison 1/2 and Full Marathon is Sunday, May 25
http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/index.html

I don't know which one I will do, it will depend on which weekend my DD has her dance recitel. I did the Green Bay 1/2 last year and besides it being really cold, it was a lot of fun for a race I did alone.

I am not sure on the Milwaukee 1/2 marathons, but will keep my eyes open for you. The Fox Cities 1/2 and Full is also supposed to be really nice. I have talked to a lot of people that have ran that one.

oh, the Madison one is over Memorial Day weekend....that might work for us. I am definitely keeping that one in mind! Thanks for the info.

 

[Jen117]

Pat - If you do Madison, let me know. That is the one I am leaning towards doing because it is Memorial weekend.

 

[Creativebeth]

Actually I think I stayed at the Marriot Courtyard last time. I didn't realize that it was one of the hotels of the 1/2 marathon. It was right across from the same road the expo center was on. It was a handy location, but it was pretty expensive. My husband and I were celebrating our ten anniversary at the time, so it was our treat for ourselves!

I am not sure where we are staying next year yet.....I'll try to find out.

Beth

 

[nucpharm29]

Great thread idea!

For those that want a HUGE medal, come visit us in AR for the Little Rock Marathon the first weekend in March. The marathon finisher's medal is the largest in the world--last year's had a spinning globe and women got pink, men got blue! Also, it has a very generous 8hr time limit for the full (the half is either 4 or 6) I'm going to be doing the full relay this year (Disney will be my 3rd full this year, and I'm dying). This year's theme is "Six in the City" www.littlerockmarathon.com

Another great WI marathon is Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon. It's in Oct and is a point to point race--downhill (mostly) along Lake Michigan. It's where my dad qualified for Boston with a 2:50 finish time! He gives it 2 thumbs up. So this one is on my list, as is the Fox Cities Marathon in Appleton WI, b/c we used to live there.

Mike/Dave--we might be up for the Cleveland one as well (have to check the date b/c BIL is getting married in cleveland one weekend this May)

Chicago is definitely on my list as well. And the MCM!! AAAHHH--good thing I'm young I think I am going to have to just pick one more race for '08. My body is almost at the breaking point right now and need a little recovery time.

 

[WDWFAN9]

oh boy - somebody stop me!!

Stephanie the LR half looks like fun. DH and I had tentatively planned to do the Arizona Distance Classic in mid-March until I saw the airfare: $460 per PERSON roundtrip from Chicago. Ouch!! I didn't realize it was spring training and that the airfares went through the roof in March. Unless we get a great DING LR instead might work. Silly question - do you know how far Little Rock is from the national park where you can find diamonds? DH has wanted to go there for a couple years!

Jen - I'll let you know about Madison, but it is looking good! Very important question - do you know what the medal looks like? Gotta have pretty bling!!

There are just so many cool events - but darn! Just not enough time and money, I really need to hit the lotto. And, if I hit the really, really big one I'll take WISHers to a meet in Helen's backyard (Australia)...now how neat would that be??