Hi All-
I’ve been training to try and qualify for Boston with my eye on either Tucson or Las Vegas Dec 2. I just found out I have a conflict with that weekend and am wondering if there are any other recommended qualifers within 1-2 weeks on either side. The only one that I see is the Philadelphia marathon. It’s two weeks before, but I’d rather go later than sooner. How fast is Phili and are there any other recommendations?
Thanks,
Eric
Dec. 9 is the Whiterock Marathon in Dallas. Not the fastest course around, but a very well run race. http://www.runtherock.com/
How well do you handle humidity? With that time frame, you’re starting to get into Southeastern Marathon season, though early December can still run a little sticky at times.
If you want dead flat, Space Coast might work:
Early Dec, California International Marathon. Fast, I qualified for Boston on it last year.
Dave
Seattle, WA marathon is Nov 25th http://www.seattlemarathon.org/ – weather would probably be great running weather, but its a little hilly.
NCR Trail Marathon in Sparks Maryland. It is relatively flat (except first and last 2 miles), scenic and fast. It is not a true “trail” but it is packed dirt/gravel. It is usually the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
I set my BQ there last year.
I second the Sparks, MD trail Marathon. I qualified at Kiawah Island, SC–very nice destination (discount for runners) and a FLAT FLAT FLAT course. You can’t find a hill on that island!! It’s usually the 2nd weekend in December–great running weather.
Philly is a pretty flat, large and easy marathon. Another good destination one is the Disney marathon in Orlando - also flat and easy. Good luck.
I’ve never done it, but the Jacksonville Marathon is in that time frame (and is a very flat area)
I’d go with Philly. Fast course and pretty well guaranteed nice, cool weather. A high percentage of runners qualify for Boston.
Brand new race - December 29th in Clermont, Florida - The Florida Marathon! go to www.usantc.com for race information. Z
st. jude in memphis, dec. 1. flat course, nice temps (40-50s).
Jacksonville Marathon on December 16 is billed as a flat course.
Its relatively flat. There are some rollers in the second half but nothing that would be considered a climb.
Peace,
RF
From the Boston Marathon website:
Listed below are additional sources for obtaining information about qualifying marathons. www.coolrunning.com www.runnersworld.com www.runningnetwork.com www.nerunner.com June & December issues of Running Times (www.runningtimes.com) January issue of Runner’s World
Seattle, WA marathon is Nov 25th http://www.seattlemarathon.org/ – weather would probably be great running weather, but its a little hilly.
Not as hilly as one would think. St. Louis was hillier.
Seattle is a good, but small race. No pace groups and very little local excitement. The food was good with chowder, smoothies, and misc. other food. It is a rare for a race to have hot non-greasy food at the finish line.
Where are you located? My first thought was Memphis as no matter where you are located it is an easy Northwest flight.
Being from Atlanta, I would tell you NOT to consider the ATL Marathon on Thanksgiving Day. It is the 1996 Oly course, which is very difficult. Not a PR or Boston course. A very fun half though.
I’ve done Memphis three or four times and really like that course. It is relatively flat, and the half marathon brings enough participants and spectators with it to feel like a real race without worrying about a slow start or crowd on the course. You finish at home plate of local AAA baseball park which is neat. Food and lockers afterwards to take showers. Very well organized and fun race. I think it is PR and BQ course. It might be Dec 2nd however.
I did Jacksonville last December (about the third Sun of the month). It was OK, but I didn’t have a good race. Almost no specators which is fine by me and a flat course. Weather was almost hot last year. It had a very local and low key feeling. So I had a hard time getting through the tougher miles. Felt more like a big training run than a race. You do run along a track inside a HS football stadium to finish which was cool. I don’t really think it is a destination race.
Disney is fun and could be a PR course, but it is in Jan, so if you are looking for a Dec race then it is a month too late. Disney hypes up this race and running through the parks at 7 a.m. is interesting. Weather is usually nice. I’ve set a few PRs on this course.
I’ve heard good things about Huntsville. But haven’t run it.
My sis is doing Philly this year and I’ve heard from others that it is a PR and BQ course. I think that would be my personal choice to give it a go if I were trying to run a BQ time at that time of the year. I have done the Phila Distance Run (a half in Sept) and the course was very fast.
…another vote for Kiawah. Super flat and fast.
Being from Atlanta, I would tell you NOT to consider the ATL Marathon on Thanksgiving Day. It is the 1996 Oly course, which is very difficult. Not a PR or Boston course. A very fun half though.
I wouldn’t call that half fun! I swore I would never do another half after I finished it last year. Mile 7 on made me wish I had run a lot more hills in training.
I will be doing it again this year and am hoping for some big improvements.
I ddi NCR last year and had fun for my second marathon. the key thing is that NCR actually piles on more climbing than does the Baltimore Marathon, it’s jsut that it’s in smal doses, mostly after Monkton and he last two miles…It’s a good, small race, but there is some elevation gain.
I’m using Chicago and Philly as my two shots this Fall.
Bob