Any recommendations? Preferably North America.
I’ve heard good things about California International. People call it ‘downhill’ but the net loss is actual pretty insignificant. Course counts for boston, oly trials, etc.
The Monumental Marathon in Indianapolis is pretty flat and fast.
Did you see the Boston Marathon profiles for the elite runners? The most common location for the PRs listed was…
Houston (look this up for yourself if you don’t believe it.).
If you have the money to have a contingency then I would put Houston on the top of the list. The problem is there is a chance the weather can be too warm and humid. So if it is all or nothing you probably shouldn’t elect Houston as your race.
EDIT: I see you asked for FALL marathon. Houston is in January. Oh well, not going to edit it out…
Mohawk Hudson Marathon in Albany, NY. Relatively small (less than 1,000 for the marathon), very low key, point to point race with about 400 feet net drop, whole course is basically flat or very gently downhill, historically very high BQ percentages. Last year, 25% of my AG (M45-49) qualified.
It’s also a beautiful run. Most of the course is along a wooded multi-use trail.
Philly, Steamtown, Wineglass are all typically fast courses.
A really great resource for marathons is marathonguide.com
it has a calendar of marathons, so you can choice one at the time you need and the location. And it has reviews from past participants. I never sign up for a marathon w/o looking at the reviews. The reviews will almost always tell you what kind of course it is and how well organized, etc.
Good luck.
Chicago! Mid-October.
Dave
Mohawk Hudson Marathon in Albany, NY. —This. I really enjoyed this small race. Great course too.
The Scotiabank Waterfront in Toronto is on October 19th, it’s supposed to be a ‘flat and fast’ one.
Chicago! Mid-October.
Dave
+1. Chicago is flat as a board. Weather is usually pretty good in October. The only problem is that the registation may already be closed.
Dan, come join me at “The Canadian”.
Come to Toronto!
http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/index.htm
Here’s the course and elevation:
http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/en/course.htm
It’s very flat and fast.
Mohawk Hudson Marathon in Albany, NY. —This. I really enjoyed this small race. Great course too.
Mohawk Hudson → Agree this is a great race, but registration has already closed.
Another vote for Wineglass and also consider the Steamtown in PA. Secondary choice is the Empire in Syracuse (flat beginning and end, rather boring with some elevation in the middle, but overall fast and easy to travel to.)
Philly, Steamtown, Wineglass are all typically fast courses.
Along with Mohawk and Harrisburg.
Harrisburg is nearly pancake flat for about 95% of it; there’s a gradual climb at mile 13, and a few nasty rollers in the backside of the park after mile 18.
Did that as Plan B, after Sandy put the kibosh on NYC back in '12.
I’ve heard good things about California International. People call it ‘downhill’ but the net loss is actual pretty insignificant. Course counts for boston, oly trials, etc.
This^ It’s every November (I think) and really fast…but the weather can be a little tricky that time of year, especially if you’re traveling. I missed it this year, even though I paid because I couldn’t drive through the pass from Oregon.
I am biased but look at Richmond. 1 hill( 350meters), a couple gentle rollers. Incredibly well done race and beautiful course. Net elevation loss.
Saint George is fast and is in the fall (October). Lottery registration is open for a few more days. That said, it is definitely not flat:
http://www.stgeorgemarathon.com/race/images/SGM_Elevation_2012.jpg
Any recommendations? Preferably North America.
There’s one here in aspen all down hill 
the “golden leaf”
Mohawk Hudson(Already sold out), Steamtown, Wineglass, Maryland North Central Rail Trail(November 29), Harrisburg(November 9) (it does have some nasty rollers around mile 19, but flat otherwise)
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Air Force Marathon in Dayton, OH
Chicago
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