Suggestions for a late fall-ish marathon in California?

Triathlon Forum
1

Hey ST!

I wanna get my cousin in Cali to do her 1st marathon w/ me. I’m thinking late fall '06 would be best because;

  1. It gives her tons of time to prepare

2 It’ll be post season for me, and I’ll get to do most of my training in the good weather, (NY)

I know there’s lotsa sites w/ listings of marathons - but I wanted suggestions from you guys…

Thanks for your help :slight_smile:

2

CIM

Dave
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3

CIM, that is California International Marathon. That is a cold friggin’ marathon, but is very popular and well organized. Finishing in front of the Capitol Building gives it a nice Ironman Wisconsin-ish feel to it. It’s held the first Sunday in December. http://www.runcim.org

I ran it in shorts and a t-shirt one year. If you do this, you will want to wear warmer clothes in the staging area before the race, and wait until the very last minute before you put your clothes in the bag that will be transported to the finish.

4

The Cowtown Marathon (formerly Sacramento Marathon?) put on by RD Rich Hanna is in mid October.

5

Check out Redwoods Marathon (http://www.redwoodsmarathon.org/. The course is beautiful and goes through ancient old growth redwood forests. Takes place up near Garberville which is around 4 hours north of San Francisco on 101.

6

Silicon Valley Marathon (San Jose, CA) was just held on Oct 30’th if you’re looking for something earlier than CIM. Not as fast a course as CIM, but warmer weather since it’s a little earlier in the year.

http://www.svmarathon.com/

7

2 fast marathons are Humbolt Redwoods already mentioned. I placed second there a few years ago in its springtime guise, Avenue of the Giants…same course only run in reverse. Its largely flat with a few slight ups and downs, and because you’re under a canopy of cool trees the weather is always perfect for running.

CIM is also a fast course but the weather can be a problem if its stormy. If you get a cool calm day you’ll run fast. Its my PR course and its also a course I’ve had one of my worst trips over the marathon distance…one day was nice the other there was a strong headwind and driving rain the whole way.

I don’t think it ever gets too cold to run comfortably in Sacramento. It can be chilly in the am for the start but once you get rolling you can strip down to shorts and a singlet.

8

Not recommending the Nike Women’s Marathon? I heard they give out chocolate…

9

I ran in some friends at the Nike Womens marathon and they give away Ghiardelli (sp) chocolate, they had an Oxygen bar, a pedicure station, a second sweat drop at mile 2, cheerleader stations, bands, Cliff shots…they did everything except run the race for you.

10

Perhaps they could provide Segways on the course? The course does seem better than the SF Chronicle Marathon course.

11

Yeah - wierd coincidence, an add from that race popped up in my Inbox today. Fate?

When is that one?

12

Yeah - this sounds like a good option. I’ll check it out. Thanks.

13

I was thinking more November-ish. But thank you!!!

14

check out

www.theschedule.com
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15

Thanks!!!

16

I think I heard about this one. Isn’t the Finisher’s medal a Tiffany bracelet? Chocolate & jewellry? Now THAT’s some race organizing!!!

17

“Not as fast” = Hilly? Crowded?

Thanks for suggestion!!!

18

Was not “cold” last year. It was perfect. Hoping for the same in 3 weeks

Dave

19

Its a necklace with a little silver runner and a diamond that you can see if you squint really hard…but they have large handsome men in tuxedos at the finish line giving them out which apparently was a real winner with the ladies.

20

THis year Dec 4th… I am signed up and training for it.

Dave