I guess this will be a 2 part question.
First part: How do you all choose your A race? What makes it worth the "A" title for you? Personally, I like my A races to be with well known and/or reputable organizations that I know will have everything well thought out and put together, or a race I have done previously. I don't want to train months on end just end up not being able to race or race to my full potential because of something that the race organizers over looked, etc (this could just be paranoia). I have had issues with bigger events but I figured it would be less likely than some of the mom and pop races. I also look for these larger races when I first start getting into an event. I like the feeling that I am really apart of a big thing. I think Ironman does a good job at this. Making it feel like the race is a big deal. Once I get over the "shock and awe" of the larger races and the, usually, longer/harder distances then I start enjoying the smaller races.
Second Part: For me personally, I'm looking to start running some ultra marathons (which would be my A race for the year) but I'm having a tough time choosing a race. I am venturing into the unknown at the 100 mile distance so being confident in the race is important for me. I want something that is well known and has a good reputation. I find it hard to find such events because, as far as I know, there are no ironman, challenge, etc. brands in the ultra running world. I have been reviewing websites and Youtube videos of the races to try to get an idea if a race is just a little 10 person self supported race or if its a bigger more established race. Any ideas or website I can go to that will help identify what I am looking for?
First part: How do you all choose your A race? What makes it worth the "A" title for you? Personally, I like my A races to be with well known and/or reputable organizations that I know will have everything well thought out and put together, or a race I have done previously. I don't want to train months on end just end up not being able to race or race to my full potential because of something that the race organizers over looked, etc (this could just be paranoia). I have had issues with bigger events but I figured it would be less likely than some of the mom and pop races. I also look for these larger races when I first start getting into an event. I like the feeling that I am really apart of a big thing. I think Ironman does a good job at this. Making it feel like the race is a big deal. Once I get over the "shock and awe" of the larger races and the, usually, longer/harder distances then I start enjoying the smaller races.
Second Part: For me personally, I'm looking to start running some ultra marathons (which would be my A race for the year) but I'm having a tough time choosing a race. I am venturing into the unknown at the 100 mile distance so being confident in the race is important for me. I want something that is well known and has a good reputation. I find it hard to find such events because, as far as I know, there are no ironman, challenge, etc. brands in the ultra running world. I have been reviewing websites and Youtube videos of the races to try to get an idea if a race is just a little 10 person self supported race or if its a bigger more established race. Any ideas or website I can go to that will help identify what I am looking for?