pimp a spring marathon!
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<a href="http://www.eugenemarathon.com/" target="_blank">Eugene Marathon - 5/4</a> I'm hoping to run it myself <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">
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srlopez, i live in the midwest and i am willing to travel anywhere. thats not a problem. i've only run larger marathons (chicago, NYC) in the past but i'm willing to try anything. nothing too crazy hilly. i probably prefer a city marathon so DH and i can make a trip out of it. other than that, i'm just an open slate <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink">
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For spring marathons I've done Shamrock in Va. Beach (St. Pat's Day weekend), and Fargo in Fargo (mid-May). I enjoyed both immensely.<br>
(Except for spraining my foot during Shamrock.) Fargo is smaller, but it's getting big and is very well-organized.<br><br>
Lots of people in the Midwest go for Grandma's, but the last couple years have been HOT.
(Except for spraining my foot during Shamrock.) Fargo is smaller, but it's getting big and is very well-organized.<br><br>
Lots of people in the Midwest go for Grandma's, but the last couple years have been HOT.
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I'm really leaning towards Eugene too........
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Pocono marathon <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/hello2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="hello1"><br><br>
nice, small, mountain race.<br><br>
Gods country in PA is supposed to be immensely scenic
nice, small, mountain race.<br><br>
Gods country in PA is supposed to be immensely scenic
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Hmm, when is that?
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WARNING - if you want to do Grandma's, be prepared to sign up in January. That race closes out quickly. It is a great race, but lodging is $$. Stick around for the post race festivities as well (it's a Sat race).<br><br>
Can't go wrong with the Pig, but i have heard great things about Shamrock and Eugene. Close to the midwest - Kentucky Derby is an up & coming race (get to run into Indiana and around Churchill Downs) that I've heard more and more positive things about. Country Music Marathon is a popular one (Nashville I think). There's one in Traverse City (Michigan) that is supposed to be beautiful. Tons of good choices - check out <a href="http://www.marathonguide.com" target="_blank">www.marathonguide.com</a> for runner reviews and a great calendar.
Can't go wrong with the Pig, but i have heard great things about Shamrock and Eugene. Close to the midwest - Kentucky Derby is an up & coming race (get to run into Indiana and around Churchill Downs) that I've heard more and more positive things about. Country Music Marathon is a popular one (Nashville I think). There's one in Traverse City (Michigan) that is supposed to be beautiful. Tons of good choices - check out <a href="http://www.marathonguide.com" target="_blank">www.marathonguide.com</a> for runner reviews and a great calendar.
I will toss in my .02 on the Fargo Marathon in May. Super flat course, small-I doubt it will have much over 1500 marathoners (had 1200 this year) , also has a HM and 5K fun run option if you bring family who run, but are not ready for a full.<br><br>
certainly not the crowds of fans you see at the larger races, but the people who are out cheering you from their front lawn and stuff were awesome!!!<br><br>
I must ad it Fargo was my fist marathon so I am partial to it.
certainly not the crowds of fans you see at the larger races, but the people who are out cheering you from their front lawn and stuff were awesome!!!<br><br>
I must ad it Fargo was my fist marathon so I am partial to it.
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may. i think it is the same day as Broad Street. I ran it the last two years (it has only been around two years) so now i feel like i need to run it every year and have a streak going!<br><br>
Very hilly (from a marathon perspective). Nice, small town race. I'd carpool with you, if you did not mind waiting for me at the end <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">
Very hilly (from a marathon perspective). Nice, small town race. I'd carpool with you, if you did not mind waiting for me at the end <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">
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Meri - I'm not sure what you look for in a marathon - I know you're usually a trail kinda person judging from your other posts... I think if I remember right you're East Coast near Philly...<br><br>
Shamrock in Virginia Beach wouldn't be too bad of a hike for you. I've never done this race, but friends who have tell me it's flat, fast and boring. (Not bad if you're going for a BQ or a fast time).<br><br>
I hear the Umstead trail marathon in NC (the Marathon not the 100miler) is supposed to be tough, and also fills up fast.<br><br>
The only two spring Marathon's I've ever done are Virginia Creeper - nice, flat, well supported, kinda boring, on a crushed stone path. It's cheap $10, small ~100 runners, and fills up kinda fast (register by December).<br><br>
Hatfield McCoy is hilly, and fun. It's small, most of the people who come out are pretty hardcore (i.e. not rookie marathoners - I saw lots of Maniacs and 50 staters). It's not certified (I clocked it at almost 27 miles with my GPS), if you're planning on doing 50 states, this one can count as either West Virginia or Kentucky. It's in June, so I'm not sure if it counts as spring or early summer.
Shamrock in Virginia Beach wouldn't be too bad of a hike for you. I've never done this race, but friends who have tell me it's flat, fast and boring. (Not bad if you're going for a BQ or a fast time).<br><br>
I hear the Umstead trail marathon in NC (the Marathon not the 100miler) is supposed to be tough, and also fills up fast.<br><br>
The only two spring Marathon's I've ever done are Virginia Creeper - nice, flat, well supported, kinda boring, on a crushed stone path. It's cheap $10, small ~100 runners, and fills up kinda fast (register by December).<br><br>
Hatfield McCoy is hilly, and fun. It's small, most of the people who come out are pretty hardcore (i.e. not rookie marathoners - I saw lots of Maniacs and 50 staters). It's not certified (I clocked it at almost 27 miles with my GPS), if you're planning on doing 50 states, this one can count as either West Virginia or Kentucky. It's in June, so I'm not sure if it counts as spring or early summer.
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It does look like it's the same day as Broad St. (first weekend in May.)<br><br>
Did they change the course?<br><br>
This appears to be the elevation profile from last year.<br><br>
It looks all downhill.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://www.poconomarathon.org/xtra/elevation.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">
Did they change the course?<br><br>
This appears to be the elevation profile from last year.<br><br>
It looks all downhill.<br><br><img alt="" src="http://www.poconomarathon.org/xtra/elevation.jpg" style="border:0px solid;">
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it is much more uphill than that, but definitely net downhill. The chart is VERY decieivng.<br><br>
flat =/= fun or enjoyable for me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">
flat =/= fun or enjoyable for me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">
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Vermont City Marathon <a href="http://www.runvermont.org" target="_blank">www.runvermont.org</a><br><br>
Nice town, things to do for the hubby and if he wants he can see you in at least 5 places along the route without having to walk very far from vantage point to vantage point...<br><br>
One good size hill on the course, the rest are reasonble, but there's a course map and profile on their website somewhere.<br><br>
It's run at the end of May (Memorial Day weekend) so the weather is usually not too hot, but can surprise you with a warm day (like in 2006).<br><br>
The spectators are great as a cheering section.
Nice town, things to do for the hubby and if he wants he can see you in at least 5 places along the route without having to walk very far from vantage point to vantage point...<br><br>
One good size hill on the course, the rest are reasonble, but there's a course map and profile on their website somewhere.<br><br>
It's run at the end of May (Memorial Day weekend) so the weather is usually not too hot, but can surprise you with a warm day (like in 2006).<br><br>
The spectators are great as a cheering section.
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I did the NJ Marathon last April. Pancake flat, next to the ocean. Beach is nice. You do a half marathon loop twice. They provide both gel and energy foods (anything you could imagine) at the 10/23 mile mark. Gels are also available at most aid stations. And the ocean is there for the post race ice bath.<br><br>
I skipped the Pocono race as it was kinda new. And that looks like the Steamtown profile, not Pocono. The Pocono course has some uphill. (I live and train right next to the Steamtown course.)
I skipped the Pocono race as it was kinda new. And that looks like the Steamtown profile, not Pocono. The Pocono course has some uphill. (I live and train right next to the Steamtown course.)
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