I posted last week about a crew of runners from my squad going over to Paris to run in the marathon this Sunday. We've been getting lots of updates on Facebook - great photos of all the fun they're having pre-race - and there's been a fair bit of runner's envy happening over this side of the globe.
Coach Chris has started to do a little research into marathons for 2014 with the hope of putting together another group of enthusiastic travellers keen to run an international marathon.
The only problem is that we're totally spoilt for choice. And short of doing this
I thought I'd use my vast pool of international resources to get some quality information.
So what marathon should we run?? What's the most fun marathon you've ever run? The most scenic? The easiest? (not that any marathon is ever easy - but some are harder than others) The best organised?
My own personal criteria is fairly flat, is easy to gain entry into, in the second half of the year (because of work) and is in a location where there's lots of touristy things to do.
So it's over to you all now. Where should we go?
Oh man. Except for the second half of the year, Vermont City Marathon. I hope you come to the northeast somewhere. I want to meet you! Hudson Mohawk in Albany fits a lot of them. Not too far to NYC to do all the touristy things.
ReplyDeleteCHICAGO!!!
ReplyDeleteBig Sur, California!!!
ReplyDelete(and I live in Colorado! :)).
Alas... I am of no assistance in this matter!
ReplyDelete2 oceans 56km in Cape Town is incredibly scenic!!
ReplyDeleteI'll be very honest and say I won't travel to South Africa for a marathon. For an ultra or trail event anytime yes, but marathons are fairly low key over here.
ReplyDeleteParis would be a dream come true.
ReplyDeleteI would second Jill's recommendation for Big Sur - gorgeous course, and in the heart of California where you have an entire state of touristy things to do :)
ReplyDeleteI am of no use in this discussion but would say look to the USA for inspiration mainly because there will be so many in the second half of the year; here in the UK all the big ones are 1st half of the year. There are the newish Bournemouth marathon (hilly) and the very new but very flat Yorkshire marathon in October but I've never done them and don't know anyone who has either ... helpful - NOT ;-)
ReplyDeleteCape Cod, Ma. in Oct.... I would do it again if you and your group came down!!
ReplyDeleteWhat about Switzerland - the Lucerne marathon - if the guys and gals would consider Europe again
DeleteHi Char,
ReplyDeleteJill recommended Big Sur....um no..you said FLAT.
California International Marathon can be gotten into if you sign up early enough.
It is in Sacramento, Ca. and it would be perfect to go to via San Francisco and/or the Napa/Sonoma valley and Big Sur too....after or before the marathon ;)
CIM as it's called, is a net downhill, point to point marathon that is fast and well run. It's a popular race for people trying to qualify for Boston, or get a PR. It's not too huge and it's only a marathon..no half marathon.
Usual it's the first week of December I think.
I have run 16 marathons so far, and this is my fav course...I went sub 4 for the first time there. It has just enough small rollers to give your legs some variety. The last 6 miles are dead flat (just when you need that).
Here's my race report:
http://50-is-the-new-30.blogspot.com/2011/12/rundown-2011-california-international.html
Berlin is a fantastic town with lots of cool art scenes..kind of undiscovered...that can be reasonable to stay in compared to a lot of other cities in Europe. The marathon is HUGE so if you want to run a marathon that will not be a PR but will be super crammed with spectators you'll love Berlin...its at the end of Sept.
Good luck deciding!
-paul
Roma Marathon!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.maratonadiroma.it/?lang=en
Come here and you will come back again.
The Eternal City, unforgettable places to visit and the Black Knight Army will be your touristic guide.
I'm sorry, Char, I can't give you any advice considering that I've never run a marathon (my longest distance was a 30 km race in Rome in 2011).
ReplyDeleteI've noticed that most bloggers, who left comments above, mentioned a marathon in their country. In my opinion, the best marathon has been held in Berlin (I know the town). A lot of Italian runners, who ran that marathon, said: beautiful place, interesting town, pleasant atmosphere during the race, perfect running track, good organization and friendly people.