Full Marathons in the US

2»

Replies

  • GiddyupTim
    GiddyupTim Posts: 2,819 Member
    a big congratulations! for finishing a half! My half will be in June and then full in 2014. since i'm originally from boston, ma i plan on making the Boston Marathon my first full. it's the oldest marathon and it holds a special place in my heart. I was lucky enough to work down the street from the start line and also at the finish line.

    Don't you have to qualify for Boston or can anyone register? I always thought it was qualifying only.

    Boston is one you must qualify for, to get a number and an official time. But, while it has about 20,000 registered runners every year (I believe that is correct), an even larger number of people run the race without a number. They just stand behind the numbered runners are at the start line, so they do not get in their way. After the numbered runners go, the un-numbered runners do.
    It is still a lot of fun.
    BTW -- in picking a marathon, I suggest one that is someplace warm: Vegas, San Diego, Miami, etc.
    My apologies to Duluth and Grandma's. I love Duluth, but really . . .
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    The Portland Oregon marathon is the second week in October. It is known for it's course support, swag, and a great course. It's relatively flat and has a great group of pacers.
  • drakechic08
    drakechic08 Posts: 156 Member
    I am looking at the Estes Park full in June (Colorado). There also the Rock and Roll Marathons all over the US every year and I know a lot of people that have really enjoyed them.
  • marycmeadows
    marycmeadows Posts: 1,691 Member
    There's a big beautiful full/half/8k in nov (nov 16th next year) in Richmond VA. I did the half this year and it was absolutely amazing! Doing my second half this coming weekend!
  • zsafavian
    zsafavian Posts: 12 Member
    If you're looking for Fall 2013, try the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. It's not completely flat, but the scenery is great. I am a bit biased since it's my hometown. :) The Rock n' Roll marathons are pretty good first-time marathons. I did the one in Phoenix. It is as flat as you could possibly get. I think most of them are. They are very well organized, and there is a band at every mile marker. There is so much going on around you during these marathons that it really helps you get through it mentally. They have a number of them throughout the U.S. at different times of year. I think Phoenix is generally in January.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    i thought i had to run a half in a certain amount of time to qualify. Ugh! i hope that's the case because i really want boston to be my first. i know it sounds stupid but to say i completed it and it was my first full marathon will be a huge accomplishment for me.
  • LoosingMyLast15
    LoosingMyLast15 Posts: 1,457 Member
    but do i qualify by running a half or do i have to run a full? better start checking it out. i WANT a number! :)
  • Still_Fluffy
    Still_Fluffy Posts: 341 Member
    I've ran the Fargo marathon 3 times and plan to run it again in May. It has been ranked in the top 10 marathons in the US by Runners World for the last three years. It a flat course and the whole town comes out for the race. Its also one of the cheaper races. I've also ran Chicago this year. It was fun, but I like Fargo better.

    As for training, I've always done the Hal Higdon Program. Its easy to follow and its worked for me.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    but do i qualify by running a half or do i have to run a full? better start checking it out. i WANT a number! :)

    Check the link above that someone else posted, but I'm pretty sure it's a full by a certain deadline and you have to meet a certain time within your age bracket.
  • OnionMomma
    OnionMomma Posts: 938 Member
    Not sure how quickly the Columbus OH marathon fills up, but many people compliment the organizers. This year's was sponsored by Nationwide Children's Hospital and each mile was dedicated to a different child hero. It is held in early October.

    That is a definite possibility. I do like races for a cause.

    I can personally vouch for how awesome this hospital is. We had a medically complex kid and needed some medical testing done that was not provided at our children's hospital in our state or any where near us.

    We traveled from VA to OH for testing. The staff there is amazing! We spent a week on the GI floor with one of the world's leading DRs in Ped. GI motility. They were awesome, I can't say enough about them.

Categories