The Next Big-A$$ Meetup in 2008?

mmoonptdeux · Nov 22, 2007

Hi all - considering how well Philly 2007 went, and with so much random talk about possible big meetups and stuff, I was thinking it might be better to put it on a single thread to hash it out. 
So far from what I gathered, there's a bunch of mini-meetups all setup and/or being talked about through the middle of next year. At this point, this includes: 
02/03/08 - <a href="http://www.runsurfcity.com/site3.aspx" target="_blank">Surf City Marathon</a> 
02/10/08 - <a href="http://www.mercedesmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Birmingham Marathon</a> 
04/06/08 - <a href="http://www.athensmarathon.org/" target="_blank">Athens (OH) Marathon</a> 
05/04/08 - <a href="http://www.broadstreetrun.com/site3.aspx" target="_blank">Broad Street 10-Mile Run</a>; <a href="http://www.eugenemarathon.com/index.php" target="_blank">Eugene Marathon</a> 
05/25/08 - <a href="http://www.madisonfestivals.com/marathon/index.html" target="_blank">Madison Marathon</a> 
Nothing has been suggested for the summer, but it looks like there have been several suggestions already for later in the year in the threads that I've read, some related to the small town marathon idea that was suggested a few weeks back: <a href="http://www.hoodtocoast.com" target="_blank">Hood-To-Coast Relay</a> - late 08/08 <a href="http://www.rtbrelay.com/index.shtml" target="_blank">Reach The Beach Relay</a> - 09/08 <a href="http://www.newhavenroadrace.org/" target="_blank">New Haven</a> - 09/08 <a href="http://www.mtcmarathon.org/index.cfm?" target="_blank">Twin Cities</a> - 10/08 <a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com" target="_blank">Chicago</a>- 10/08 <a href="http://www.columbusmarathon.com" target="_blank">Columbus</a>- 10/08 <a href="http://www.grandrapidsmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Grand Rapids</a> - 10/08 <a href="http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/index.htm" target="_blank">Niagara Falls</a> - 10/08 <a href="http://www.philadelphiamarathon.com/exec/philly/home/home.asp" target="_blank">Philadelphia</a> - 11/08 <a href="http://www.lvmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Las Vegas</a> - 12/08 <a href="http://www.tucsonmarathon.com/site3.aspx" target="_blank">Tucson</a> - 12/08 
So lets have at it. I think it would be cool to have another mass get-together - granted, I'd have a leaning to Tucson because I could drive there but I'm pretty much open to anything at this point

Nettie · Nov 22, 2007

On a 10 pt scale. With 1 being nope and 10 being yup. 
TC - 7 
Chicago - 10 
Columbus - 3 
Grand Rapids - 5 
Philadelphia - 1 
Tucson - 10

Frankie71 · Nov 22, 2007

DO we wanna want to do Tucson in December next year, or would we rather do Vegas in December? 
Also there was some talk about either the Hood to Coast Relay or Reach the Beach Relay, just a few more ideas.

Nettie · Nov 22, 2007

I've never been to Tucson and keriksen has agreed to put me up, so ya know. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"> 
I have nothing against Vegas though.

Liam3494 · Nov 22, 2007

We already have a meet set up on Feb 3 in Surf City, Huntington Beach - Remember? 
L

maccabeth · Nov 22, 2007

SOme points to consider: 
Chicago- only has a full. 
TC- no HM, and the 10 miler is a lottery that is tough to get into. 
December- hard to get time off for some since they are probably already asking off for other holidays that month. Plus travel is more expensive... 
Oct. is a good month, though- better weather....

Nettie · Nov 22, 2007

Good points on Chicago and TC Beth.

maccabeth · Nov 22, 2007

You don't like the rest of my points, Nettie? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad"> <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

Nettie · Nov 22, 2007

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Laughing"> Well, I am clueless on the cost of travel from month to month, so I couldn't agree or disagree.

cranegirl · Nov 22, 2007

Another one that has been thrown around (since we are increasing in our MN/mid-west contingency numbers) is Madison, WI on 5/25/07 
It has a full, half, 8k, relay and Nettie has done it before. The only caveat could be the weather has been a bit terrible there at the end of May and rooms may be hard to come by. 
However, the good news is that Sage and I used to call this place our "stomping grounds" so we know it pretty well and it can be a really fun town--Nettie reports transportation to the start is actually quite good and so is the race organization. 
Just a thought. It's not terrible to get to, either. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

Nettie · Nov 22, 2007

Yeah, Madison is easy enough for me to get to, so even though I've done it before, I'd be down for the half or 10K. Oh and there was no relay last year.

winter · Nov 22, 2007

I was hoping to make this one my first Full next year. You get to run in 2 different countries and visit both Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls International Marathon. Oct 26th( I think) 2008 <a href="http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/" target="_blank">http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/</a>

Jill · Nov 23, 2007

winter, that is an excellent option! I like it because it has a little bit of everything. I think that if we want to come up with a large group gathering we have to include as many different races as possible, not just a marathon only.

winter · Nov 23, 2007

I'm going to assume that by races you are talking about distance options and not The Canadian Race vs the American Race....<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"> 
The only catch is that you have to have your passport for border crossing.

Jill · Nov 23, 2007

Yes, you assume correctly. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

mmoonptdeux · Nov 23, 2007

Adding in all suggestions/meet-ups in the first post as they're suggested: 
Just my two cents here (and some do echo thoughts that have been posted already) 
- Good thread support races: Philly definitely ranks at the top - I'd like to do it sometime in the future, but not two years in a row. The other two with a good chunk of 30s support in the area seem to be Twin Cities and to a lesser degree Columbus. However, Columbus is a HM and full only; TC is a full, 5K and 1 miler if you don't get picked for the lottery for the 10 mile race. 
- Intriguing choices: Niagara Falls (seems to be as centrally located for most folks as can be and has a wide variety of events (5k, 10k, HM walk, HM run, marathon) and Tucson (marathon, marathon relay and HM; but like Las Vegas, the time of the month (December) can be tough in terms of getting vacation time and/or holiday expenses, though) 
- Reach-The-Beach/Hood To Coast relays: both of these would be a blast, judging from the race reports I've read here. I think registration opens up December 1st for RTB - how quickly does that thing fill up (with 350 teams total max)? Not sure about HTC. 
As far as the early season mini-meetups, I'm leaning to doing Eugene. And as fun as Madison is sounding, unfortunately I'll be busy helping out my Dad put together something for a local event that will be taking place the next weekend, so I can't go for that....no can do <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Sad">

Maples · Nov 23, 2007

We have 6 in Birmingham already. It has a full and a half AND a relay. That sounds like it could be fun as well. It would be great if any of you others would join us in Birmingham. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

coacht · Nov 23, 2007

Somewhere in the Northeast - puhlease!!! I can't leave NY and New England...<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/sad2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="sad2"> 
Just for kicks I'll throw the <a href="http://www.hartfordmarathon.com/Marathon/" target="_blank">Hartford marathon</a> option out there - mid-October timeframe with full, half, 5k and relay options. Not too big - 2-3k runners for both the full and the half.

runningINnyc · Nov 23, 2007

20K in New Haven next September, buddy! Be there or be square.

Maples · Nov 23, 2007

Can we smuggle Winter across the border and bring her to the South? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

The Next Big-A$$ Meetup in 2008?

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