It’s racing season!  I have no statistics to back this statement up, but it sure seems like the majority of marathons are in the fall… at least around here.  With so many of my friends doing a fall race (some are running their first marathon),  I thought I’d focus on running tips in some of my upcoming posts.  Some of the topics that I’ll cover in the next two weeks are race preparation, racing etiquette, racing check list, and layering for cooler weather.

Some of the fall east coast marathons that I have friends running (or that I have run) are:

The Baltimore Marathon is part of the Baltimore Running Festival which also holds  a half marathon, relay marathon, 5K and kids’ fun run.  Bill and I ran the marathon the first five years that it was held (2001-2005) and enjoyed it very much.  It was a always a well organized race!  This year’s races will be held on October 12, and I hope to post a recap of our five races on that day.

BRF

The Steamtown Marathon was my PR marathon.  I ran it after seeing in Runner’s World that it is fast course and a great marathon for “PR’ing.”  The hilarious emails from the assistant race director leading up to the race are worth the $$$ even if you slip on a banana peel in the first mile and can’t complete the course.  This October 13th will be the 18th running of the race.  On race day, I will post a recap of my three or four (can’t remember off hand) Steamtown race experiences.

Streamtown

The Marine Corps Marathon is celebrating its 38th year.  It holds a very special place in my heart because it was the first marathon that I ever ran.  I loved it so much that I ran it for the next nine years, too.  With ten MCM’s under my belt, I’m a member of the MCM Ground Pounders Running Club and have a guaranteed entry into this popular race for the rest of my life.  This year’s race will be on October 27 and by now you know the drill…  I plan to post a recap of my many MCM experiences on that day!

MCM

My last full marathon was the Richmond Marathon where my my long running “hamstring” injury came to a ugly end and I finished the race in tears.  It was a gorgeous day and a beautiful course and I was lucky enough to run the whole race with my honey, but it didn’t end the way I’d hoped.  This year’s race will be on November 16 and it will the 36th running of “America’s Friendliest Marathon.”  In addition to a marathon, they also run a half marathon.

RichmondLogo

I’ve never run the New York City Marathon, but my friends Beth and Miles have.  I’ll beg, whine, and throw myself on the floor ask nicely to see if Beth will do a guest post about her experience running this huge race.  The race will be held on November 3, and if we’re lucky we can experience the race through Beth’s eyes that day.

NYCMarathon

A couple of my friends are running Thunder Road Marathon this year on November 16.  In addition to the full, Thunder Road will have a half and a 5K.   My friend Meagan will be running her first marathon there, and my blogging friend Laura will be running the half marathon blindfolded in honor of her sister Taylor who has Batten Disease.  Laura has graciously agreed to write a recap of her blindfolded running experience for my readers after the race.

ThunderRoad

Fall is also the time for numerous local 10K’s and 5K’s, and as we get closer to the holidays, lots of turkey trots and reindeer runs will be held in neighborhoods all across the country.  Sign up for one!  You’ll have a blast!

  • Questions:
  • Are you signed up for any of the above races?
  • What’s the largest field race you’ve ever run?
  • What race have you run the most times, year after year because you love it so much??