Half Marathons, Road Races in NM?

thom2022

Hi Ladies -

I've never posted here before (I'm from Minnesota) but my grandpa and a few aunts and uncles live in New Mexico. I don't get to see them nearly enough, so I'm thinking about trying to plan a trip within the next year - and I want to make sure I actually do it!

I like to run and was thinking it could be fun to plan to do a half marathon or other race as part of the trip. I say half because I haven't run a full marathon yet, but I'd be open to the idea...

Any runners who know of a great race?? I would rather NOT come in the heat of summer, but any other season would be great. Thanks!!

Duffinger

Woo hoo!  Diamond and I have someone else to talk races with!  She can give you info on the trail races outside of Albuquerque...I'm pretty limited in my knowledge there.

I just ran the NM Half Marathon on Labor Day Weekend (it was on Sunday).  It was - by far - one of the best races I've done.  Very well organized and it started very early (6.30) so you missed the heat (unless you're as slow as I am...it would normally start heating up, but luckily it was great weather this year).  The first 3.5 miles are all downhill and then the rest of the course is flat.  Good support, but not a lot in the way of crowds - still MUCH more than any other NM race I've ever been to.

We also have the events with the Duke City Marathon in mid-October.  I've never done anything with these, but I've heard it's not quite as well-organized.  Most of the course is on the Bosque trail, which is open to the public...so you're sharing the course with rollerbladers, cyclists, other runners, walkers, etc. (about 3 miles of the NM Half/Full Marathon is on this trail too) but as long as you follow the rules of the trail, you're fine.

Athlete's Edge puts on two other half marathons - one in April and one in September (Unser in April and Chips & Salsa in Sept).  I hate AE with a passion.  The courses are never well-marked and the majority of runners are guaranteed to get lost.  If you're running a 5k with them, you're fine.  Anything longer, you'll get lost and/or run out of water on the course.  Also they always have later start times and they start on average about 15 minutes late.  Personally, I avoid their races (DH does them still) and I would not recommend coming out for one of those. 

There's the Armed Forces Half in May.  I don't know much about this, but a friend ran it and loved it.  It's near the Air Force Base.  I heard it's well-supported.

The Jemez Mountain Trail Run is supposed to be very challenging but amazing.  This one is a little ways outside of Albuquerque and in the mountains, but I've heard nothing but great things about it.  I was planning on doing the 50k next year but I think the hubs made other plans for that weekend.  I'll let Diamond tell you about the half there...she ran that this year.

Personally, of these I'd recommend the NM Half or Jemez.  If you do NM I'll see ya there...I'll be doing the full.    

flame

I just look in wonder at Duff & Diamond.  They won't lead you wrong!

diamondcks

I am definitely into trail running, but can't name any road races that Duff hasn't already.  Trails are a great way to see more of NM, so let me know if you decide you want to give one a try!

thom2022

Hi Ladies - Thanks for the info!! I kind of forgot I put this post up on Monday. I've seen Duff post a lot of the H&F board but I didn't realize you were from New Mex!

I'll have to let you know if a trip ends up working out for me. My aunts and uncles live right near Albuquerque, but my grandpa lives in an itty bitty town called Logan. (East of Tucumcari, if you know where that is.)

Thanks again for the suggestions; I'll look up some of the races you mentioned.

 

flame

I know where Logan is! I don't think anyplace in Harding/Quay counties has any road races.