On the east coast within a reasonable distance from NYC?
I’ve looked in many race calanders and it seems there are no marathon in the late winter \ early spring?
Looking to run my first marathon before my wife gives birth on May 2012.
Boston
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$20 bus ride from NYC to DC and you have the Rock 'N Roll marathon in DC in March. It used to be called the National Marathon.
DC Marathon. March 17, 2012
Like the alcoholics always say, “It’s 5 o’clock somewhere!”
More seriously, just google it. There is a US based marathon every single week of the year…and then some.
On the east coast within a reasonable distance from NYC?
I’ve looked in many race calanders and it seems there are no marathon in the late winter \ early spring?
Looking to run my first marathon before my wife gives birth on May 2012.
I did the National Marathon in Washington D.C. last March. I wouldn’t do it again, but if you are desperate I guess there could be worse choices. It also got bought out by the Rock 'n Roll series, so may be bigger and better organized than last year. I think there was a marathon in New Jersey the same weekend that sounded interesting, but was much smaller.
In the Boston area there is Hyannis in late February. More people participate in the half, but it is there if you want it.
www.marathonguide.com is where I look for race calendars.
Small one, nice and basically flat - B&A Trail Marathon in Severna Park, MD. Paved running trail, so not on dirt or hardpack. They do a half and a full and it is usually the first weekend in March. I have set my half PR there and it was the race I was going for my sub-3 (but I got the flu the week of the race and had to drop out after about 5 miles into the race).
Hyannis is 2/26/12. Great Race.
Just about every marathon there is.
http://www.hudsonmohawkrrc.com/wintmaraps1.htm
Make the drive to Albany, put on your gloves and HTFU!
Another vote for Hyannis, two-loop course with rolling terrain and good scenery. Can be tough if the weather is bad, especially in the open stretch along the shore road at Craigville Beach about halfway through each loop, but great race nonetheless.
Sugarloaf - Maine - 2nd or 3rd weekend of May
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Thanks for the links and recommendations… 
Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach
Lower Potomac River Marathon in Southern Maryland. Small Event in Early March. They don’t have a date for 2012 yet but usually first to second weekend in March.
It may be too far for you, but if you fancy a nice destination race in mid April, you could consider the Flying Pirate Half put on by Outer Banks Sporting Events. It’s a nice event.
Ocean drive 26.2. Cape May, NJ. March. You can even get your bib mailed ahead of time so you can drive down day of, I believe…