What is your favorite race and why?

Topsking2010
Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
edited October 3 in Motivation and Support
I would love to combine my passion for traveling with running races. Looking for 5k, 10k or half marathon to run in 2012.


Thanks


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Replies

  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    From the title, I was SO hoping this would be the question! lol

    My friends and I do a 5K each month. We pick one that supports a cause we believe in and want to support.
  • 2dayirun4me
    2dayirun4me Posts: 336 Member
    Akron Marathon, Akron Ohio. The energy will suck you in and the hills will consume you, spectators will hand you a free beer and a lady in a wheelchair will cheer you on as you top heart break hill. and in the end Tom Madine the race director will be there at the finish to shake your hand and congratulate you on your completion of the Akron Marthon...oh yea the swag is one of the best.
  • MaggieMay131
    MaggieMay131 Posts: 211 Member
    I've done the Chicago Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon the past 2 years and it's a pretty good time. Last year the headliner concert was Brett Michaels... and Chicago is fun in the summer! (it can be a hot race though.)
  • killerqueen17
    killerqueen17 Posts: 536 Member
    THE HUMAN RACE!!! ***awwwww***

    LOL, seriously though, I hate running. Honestly. I am trying, but so far I just DO NOT LIKE. haha...
  • wendibartel
    wendibartel Posts: 132
    Although I have been sidelined from running for awhile. My favorite race is the St. Patricks Day run or Turkey trot here in St. Louis. I like these because the turn out is so great and on the St. Pats day race what more could you ask for at the finish line but green beer.

    Not to mention St. Louis in itself is an amazing place to be! Go CARDS!
  • maidentl
    maidentl Posts: 3,203 Member
    Well, I am a new runner so I don't have a favorite but if you're interested in coming to Texas, we have the White Rock marathon and the Cowtown marathon - both also have shorter distance races. And you might want to check out the Hot Chocolate race. It's coming to Dallas in February but it's held in a few other cities as well.
  • staceyseeger
    staceyseeger Posts: 778 Member
    Aramco Houston Marathon - great course, usually good weather (wait a few minutes & it will change :laugh: )

    Rock & Roll Marathon in Phoenix - great course, great weather

    Rock & Roll in San Antonio - great course, great crowd support - my hometown
  • whouwannab
    whouwannab Posts: 350 Member
    The Fat *kitten* 5k in Springfield, IL is pretty fun. There are donuts, corn dogs, beer, etc. passed out through out the race route (instead of water lol) and then at the end is a street party with smoked pork, all the sides, and beer. It is a chip/timed race in downtown Springfield.
  • katapple
    katapple Posts: 1,108 Member
    So far my top 3 are:

    Bloomsday (12k) Spokane, WA (the best crowd EVER!)

    US Air Force Marathon Fairborn, OH (you can't beat constant fly overs!)

    OK City Memorial Marathon (they open every race with 168 seconds of silence for those lost in the bombings, that many people quiet, simply amazing...plus one neighborhood hands out bacon and chocolate)
  • beautybrainsbooty
    beautybrainsbooty Posts: 122 Member
    agreeing with wendiB..the best races ARE in saint louis (October 23) or nevada...huge turnout, tons of corporate support, runners of varied ability and size, motivaton skyrockets afterwards :_)
  • YogaRunner
    YogaRunner Posts: 652 Member
    The Marine Corps marathon, known as the people's marathon. The route through DC is amazing, the Marine's lining the first mike, manning the water stops and handing you your medal at the finish line and the patriotic feel of it all makes this an awe inspiring experience that is hard to match!
  • ehedtke
    ehedtke Posts: 1
    Bay to Breakers in San Francisco

    Twin Cities 10 Mile
  • speakz82
    speakz82 Posts: 46
    Come to Pittsburgh in May, Top. May 6th to be exact. The hills in the PGH Marathon will give you a challenge, plus you can see your family here. You can look the course and elevation up on www.pittsburghmarathon.com.
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Annie that is an excellent idea. Registration is open for May 6, 2012 race and I plan to do a half marathon. Seeing my family and running the race would be really cool. Thanks


    BTW keep your schedule open so we can hangout and celebrate!!


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  • dshalbert
    dshalbert Posts: 677 Member
    5k races are my favorite becasue I cannot wipe the grin off of my face while running them!

    In Chicago, my absolute favorite is the Lawndale Christian Health Center 5k in September. It's my fav because it was my first 5K and it was the first year of this event (about 4 years ago). It was small and I came in 1st in my age group. Now the race has grown and the elites and hardcore runners have shown up, therefore I have no chance of even placing now, but the race has the same feel as a community family event and I'm still smiling. It's still relatively small (around 500 particpants) in comparison to the other popular 5K's in Chgicago which can have as many as 35,000 runners.

    I also like the Hot Chocolate 5K and the Shamrock Shuffle 8K (If it's not snowing)
  • KEShikes
    KEShikes Posts: 99 Member
    Not too far from you...The Philadelphia Distance Run (now part of the Rock and Roll series)...the course is along the river - very nice and (bonus) flat.

    It's in September.
  • achampionsheart
    achampionsheart Posts: 1,020 Member
    THE HUMAN RACE!!! ***awwwww***

    LOL, seriously though, I hate running. Honestly. I am trying, but so far I just DO NOT LIKE. haha...

    i love the quote at the bottom of thepage....(its fromthe BIBLE=)...)
  • miami_mimi
    miami_mimi Posts: 325 Member
    From the title, I was SO hoping this would be the question! lol

    My friends and I do a 5K each month. We pick one that supports a cause we believe in and want to support.

    My friends and I just started the same pattern, we done two 5K's so far :) it's great!!! we have the Breast Cancer Race for the Cure on 10/15/11. Also we are doing the ING half marathon in Miami in January 2012. heard it's great :) and we are doing the 5K warrior's dash in December in Delray Beach, FL
  • miami_mimi
    miami_mimi Posts: 325 Member
    The Marine Corps marathon, known as the people's marathon. The route through DC is amazing, the Marine's lining the first mike, manning the water stops and handing you your medal at the finish line and the patriotic feel of it all makes this an awe inspiring experience that is hard to match!

    my hubby is a Marine, this sounds like fun. Also they are having a Veteran's Day 11k on 11.11.11 down here in Miami for the first time... we're gonna give it try also :)
  • NABrightEyes
    NABrightEyes Posts: 23
    HOH. handsonhouserace.org - it allows me to have a great time and give back for a local charitable cause. And of course the Hot Choc Race.... http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/
  • cariandy
    cariandy Posts: 175 Member
    I've only done one 5k and one half marathon.(Providence Rock and Roll half) Both were fun but the half marathon was so much more fulfilling! Reason #~ I raised a bunch of money for my friend's sick son and reason#2~ I have always wanted to do a half (and a FULL) and knowing that I commited to the training and had a good finish2:02:50 was the best feeling ever! I am excited (and nervous) to do my 2nd this weekend! not sure if i will go any faster but i sure will try!! :smile:
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I :heart: the Warrior Dash. Obstacles, fire and mud, followed by beer and music.... followed by incredible pain and dirt in unspeakable places.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    I just learned about the Spartan Race. It is held all over the country. There are races of varying lenghts and difficulties.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    My favorite race ever is a low key, all downhill half marathon here in So Cal - The Fontana Days Half. The course drops over 2,100 feet over the 13.1 miles - which is totally crazy. Roll down the hill, hope your quads don't explode as you collect your PR.

    I happen to LOATHE all things RnR, the inventor of the $145 half marathon. I wish people would stop supporting them, as I blame them for other races jacking up their prices.

    Fontana cost $30 this year, that included the bus ride up to the start in the mountains, a shirt, a hat and a medal. All that and a nice post race spread back at the finish line.
  • thebiggreenmachine
    thebiggreenmachine Posts: 66 Member
    If you want a unique race, you gotta try the Krispy Kreme Challenge in Raleigh, NC in February. Its grown to 7500 participants of which a 1/3 of them attempt the challenge of eating a dozen donuts at the halfway point. This year the race was 4.7 miles long. Your entry fee goes to helping the North Carolina Children's Hospital of which $100,000 was raised. I know this might be considered an anti-MFP race, but just set aside a 'cheat day' for it. Also, you can run the race without eating the donuts, but what's the fun in that :)

    I've done that race and the Krispy Kreme Challenge 5K in Lexington, Ky. The fastest to eat the donuts and run the 5k wins 6 months of free donuts. I finished 5th last year and look forward to competing for the title this year :)
  • jaxCarrie
    jaxCarrie Posts: 214 Member
    Jacksonville, FL - Gate River Run 15K. Lots of bands, over 20K runners, good vibes and (usually) great weather in FLA in early march.
  • MrsPerez528
    MrsPerez528 Posts: 6 Member
    Anyone interested in starting a training group for the Fontana Days Run 2012?
  • Pollywog39
    Pollywog39 Posts: 1,730 Member
    Grandma's Marathon in Duluth MN.
    They also have a half marathon.

    The race is run on a track that goes along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior (most of it ;) The volunteers and help and atmosphere are awesome!!! It's a huge race, and a world-renowned one. We get Olympic hopefuls, runners from all over the world........it's quite an amazing time. I've never run, but I've volunteered for almost 2 decades.

    http://grandmasmarathon.com/site/
  • goodstarbuck
    goodstarbuck Posts: 24
    If you're in the midwest area, a really good beginner's race is the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati (May 6th). Good swag, nice people and great support on race day. The course is challenging, but not overwhelming for someone just starting out and it is a Boston Qualifier if you're interested in that sort of thing.

    I can't speak as to the weather though. I've had bad luck in both my Flying Pigs (2010 and 2011), rain rain and more rain. It builds character, right? :)
  • cowgirlslikeus86
    cowgirlslikeus86 Posts: 597 Member
    Not too far from you...The Philadelphia Distance Run (now part of the Rock and Roll series)...the course is along the river - very nice and (bonus) flat.

    It's in September.

    I think I am going to try this one for my first race. I am very excited, it looks fun and I love that run along the river.
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