a race gtg for 2012

cookiemonster03

is anyone else interested? I know we talked about this briefly a few weeks ago. I did some research for options and these are the best I found based on event size/variety and accessibility (i skipped the west coast stuff since we're mostly east, though there's a few out in CA that are appealing!) and open registration (so nothing that is on lottery). Please chime in if you have ideas! I have a meeting in a few so need to stop browsing!

Georgia Marathon  March 18, 2012. Pros: big, full, half, 5k (5k on Sat). ATL is accessible and cheap to fly into usually. Cons: pretty soon, course map looks hilly, no relay.

Go St Louis April 15, 2012 Pros: big, full, half, 5k (5k Sat). StL is pretty accessible. Cons: well, looks like the weather in 2011 sucked.Pretty soon.

Flying Pig May 6, 2012 Pros: big (i think its a pro, hah!), full, half, relay, 10k, 5k (latter two on 5/5) Cons: May is really tough for people in higher ed (also this weekend: NJ Marathon, Broad Street Run (10 m))

Hartford Half & Marathon date not posted but I assume Oct 13, 2012. Pros: full, half, 5k. Cons: a little awkward to get to.

Detroit Free Press Marathon Oct. 21, 2012 Pros: rodneysgirl (jess) had a great race review , you run into canada!, full, half, 5k (same day). Cons: detroit? is that a con? (Also this weekend: Columbus Marathon & Half Marathon, St Louis Rock and Roll Marathon & Half  - barring other plans, I'll probably do this one in 2012 as its a nice time to visit)

 Philadelphia Half & Marathon date not posted but I assume 11/18/12. Pros: nice course, half, full, 8k (~5m, on Saturday). travel usually reasonable. Cons: can be cold, no relay, course map for the full looks boring for the second half. sells out a month or two in advance.

 

There's also races in Austin in Jan & Feb that are appealing (I've done the 3M in Jan twice), but that would be for 2013.

firewife9278

If anyone comes to Detroit, I'm in! I mean, I live there after all

Travel will be limited otherwise next year for me since I'm using up most of my vacation time for my maternity leave...

xojo1

I'm definitely interested. The earlier I know, the better, so I can save some money for travel.

St. Louis would be awesome for me since it's really close and I'd be able to drive. April is definitely hit or miss weather wise, though. I can fly to Detroit pretty cheap, too, and it would be awesome to cross in to Canada. I think those are my top two, but I'm open to the others if they work better for the majority.

Kasi80

I like the CA idea. 

xojo1

Kasi80:

I like the CA idea. 

If it's late 2012, I could probably convince DHto make a vacation out of CA. He really wants to go there anyway.

cookiemonster03

oh these, Detroit is most appealing to me. I mean you run into Canada and then through a tunnel. How cool is that? St Louis (either option) is next. I'm pretty open minded though assuming travel is affordable. If anyone knows of other options.....On my theoretical's list are also the Nike Women in San Fran (hard to get into so unlikely), the Boulder Boulder (i think that's the name), Peachtee in atlanta (a 10k i think), anything in SoCal...haha...i don't think I can afford Cali this year though (or anything else out that way. I'd love to do Seattle or Portland, but daycare is $$$  and I have a limit in mind for a race weekend away).

crystal1026

Emily, where did you see the route for the GA Marathon? I will say Atl can be hilly, but I've known several people that have run the race who given it great reviews, plus its normally the perfect racing weather.

 

You mean to tell me no one is interested in the Disney races? I know its a flat course and you run through all the parks! However, I think its only a full and half marathon race.  

cookiemonster03

GA Course Map They're not too drastic, but its not flat! I love the idea of this one but I know March is soon.

 

Disney is on my bucket list, but not right now. I want to do the half in 2015 or 2016 so the kids are old enough to go to the park (and enjoy it). 

firewife9278

crystal1026:

Emily, where did you see the route for the GA Marathon? I will say Atl can be hilly, but I've known several people that have run the race who given it great reviews, plus its normally the perfect racing weather.

 

You mean to tell me no one is interested in the Disney races? I know its a flat course and you run through all the parks! However, I think its only a full and half marathon race.  

We will likely be going down for the Disney Marathon in 2013. My parents have a condo there ...

jaimebeth9

I may or may not be in (I mean I'm not a runner, but I could muster through a 5k, especially if it's run/walk).  

The Detroit one is appealing due to Jess's review and giving us time to get in shape, but October sucks for me due to family obligations for Halloween.  However, if that's the one I'd do my best to be there.

The Hartford one is also appealing and I'm not sure it's that awkward.  I know I'd be available for pickups for people.

crystal1026

cookiemonster03:

GA Course Map They're not too drastic, but its not flat! I love the idea of this one but I know March is soon.

 

Disney is on my bucket list, but not right now. I want to do the half in 2015 or 2016 so the kids are old enough to go to the park (and enjoy it). 

How did I miss that. I will tell you the full would be a fun course. Going through Decatur and the Highlands at the end and ending in five points, great scenery and a lot of support. The half keeps you in downtown area.

My dad has done Disney several times, and its a great time to go too, b/c of low crowds. Maybe a future future gtg!

jaimebeth9

I like the idea of having the 5k on the same day as the 'big' races mostly because that won't tie up both full days etc and we can do other things at least one day.

PrettyInPearls23

I like the idea of the Detroit one...mostly because it's 1.5 hours from where I live. It would give us plenty of time to train, there's a major airport there, and we could always a catch a Tigers game if they make it into the post-season

Whatever we decide, I would love to try to make it so I have a goal to train for...and an excuse for another GTG.

What about non-runners? Would they want to come to the GTG and be our cheering section?!

jaimebeth9

When we were in Boston I made a comment that I wanted to make as many future GTGs as possible.  SO - even if I'm not able to run if I don't train or if I'm pregnant I still want to be there to cheer!

xojo1

Well, there is the Illini marathon in Champaign-Urbana, IL in April. But, there isn't a major airport within 2 hours (there are regional airports) and there isn't much to do there.

I like Detroit. I also think that anyone would be welcome to cheer. The most I would probably do is a marathon relay, so I'll be cheering at some point!

cookiemonster03

i really like that the detroit races all appear to be on the same day. The nice thing about races like there is there tend to be big cheering crowds I got to hang out at the end of my last half for about 30 min and it was fun to cheer the runners heading towards the finish.

 

crystal, good to know about disney. i didn't know how the crowds were. I want to do Disney when the girls are 3 or 4 and then 8 or 9.

PBJ63010

I will need to know as far in advance as possible to save for the trip but I would love to participate.

I think the ATL sounds great. That soon I would probably only do the 5K but I'm fine with that.

I also think Detroit sounds really cool.

MrsC968

This is such a great idea for our runners to compete and meet each other!

Unfortunately for those spring races I won't be able to fly. Then my brother is getting married in October so that isn't a good month for me to travel either.

I'd definitely be willing to go to local races to cheer people on if the timing is okay!

Kendra Rose

I like the idea of Detroit! I'm certainly not a runner, but would certainly have some time to give it a try!

firewife9278

PrettyInPearls23:

I like the idea of the Detroit one...mostly because it's 1.5 hours from where I live. It would give us plenty of time to train, there's a major airport there, and we could always a catch a Tigers game if they make it into the post-season

Whatever we decide, I would love to try to make it so I have a goal to train for...and an excuse for another GTG.

What about non-runners? Would they want to come to the GTG and be our cheering section?!

I'm a non runner and would likely walk the Detroit 5K if Detroit was chosen. I'm happy to put together some other events for the weekend too. And I think a cheering section would be a great idea!

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com

I like the Oct races, (I would love to do the flying Pig one, but I know I won't be ready by May 6th) I like the Detroit one, because I think I will be able to train for the races by then. I think the early spring ones would be a little close with #2 coming in Feb, even for a 5K.

Emily, are you talking about the one in CO (Boulder, Boulder). It is a 10K but all above a mile high, so it is a bit tougher in that aspect. I have always heard great things about it as a race.

There is also the Denver rock and roll which is Oct 9th. marathon, 1/2 marathon & Relay. (Just to throw out another race closer to the West Coast ladies)

jasonsgirl1024

I would LOVE to do the one in Detroit! I'd run the 1/2- or consider a full (if there's a relay)

I'm still side-eyeing the Disney Full Marathon (but probably for 2013)- who knows.

ETA- There's also the Cleveland Marathon on May 20, 2012.  I'll be running the 1/2 for this one.  Supposedly the course is SUPER flat.

cookiemonster03

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com:

Emily, are you talking about the one in CO (Boulder, Boulder). It is a 10K but all above a mile high, so it is a bit tougher in that aspect. I have always heard great things about it as a race.

There is also the Denver rock and roll which is Oct 9th. marathon, 1/2 marathon & Relay. (Just to throw out another race closer to the West Coast ladies)

That's the one! I'd like to be fitter before trying it...maybe in a couple of years. Denver R&R would be ok with me

Kasi80

CO would be awesome.  I've always wanted to go there. 

abvernon

I am up for it. The later the race, the better. That way I can save up. If we have enough people interested for a race, maybe we can get a group discount.

While I vote for a WC one, I am willing to meet in the middle. I think EC races may be too tough for me for $$ reasons unless I get an awesome deal on a flight and make it into a weekend getaway.

 

SugarhillHnA

I'm definitely in for Hartford and its not awkward at all to get to. I can do airport and train station runs easily and we have room at our house for people to stay!!  I'm only ten minutes outside if Hartford. There are also tons of inexpensive hotels around in and outside the city. 

I might be able to do NJ, but wouldn't be able to travel to the farther places with a new little one and funds.  

Kasi80

abvernon:

I am up for it. The later the race, the better. That way I can save up. If we have enough people interested for a race, maybe we can get a group discount.

While I vote for a WC one, I am willing to meet in the middle. I think EC races may be too tough for me for $$ reasons unless I get an awesome deal on a flight and make it into a weekend getaway.

 

I'm with Amy on this.  Hey, plus there's been a MW and EC gtg already.  WHen do us out west get some love? 

cookiemonster03

Kasi80:

abvernon:

I am up for it. The later the race, the better. That way I can save up. If we have enough people interested for a race, maybe we can get a group discount.

While I vote for a WC one, I am willing to meet in the middle. I think EC races may be too tough for me for $$ reasons unless I get an awesome deal on a flight and make it into a weekend getaway.

 

I'm with Amy on this.  Hey, plus there's been a MW and EC gtg already.  WHen do us out west get some love? 

find me a WC race late in the year at a SW accessible airport I haven't looked into them too much because of the $$ factor (I kind of "know" races east of the mississippi b/c i daydream about this land where I have cash and time).

Kasi80

Here's some but I found sites with even more races.  They're always having races out here. 

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/racelocation/1,7912,s6-239-283-284-0-0-0-0-CA,00.html

San Fran, LAX, San Diego, Ontario are all SW accessable.  There's more airports around (smaller ones) but don't knwo about 'em.

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com

cookiemonster03:

Kasi80:

abvernon:

I am up for it. The later the race, the better. That way I can save up. If we have enough people interested for a race, maybe we can get a group discount.

While I vote for a WC one, I am willing to meet in the middle. I think EC races may be too tough for me for $$ reasons unless I get an awesome deal on a flight and make it into a weekend getaway.

 

I'm with Amy on this.  Hey, plus there's been a MW and EC gtg already.  WHen do us out west get some love? 

find me a WC race late in the year at a SW accessible airport I haven't looked into them too much because of the $$ factor (I kind of "know" races east of the mississippi b/c i daydream about this land where I have cash and time).

How about America's Finest City Half. It is in San Diego in August, but I didn't see anything up for next year's race yet.

Kasi80

wrldtravler2525@yahoo.com:

cookiemonster03:

Kasi80:

abvernon:

I am up for it. The later the race, the better. That way I can save up. If we have enough people interested for a race, maybe we can get a group discount.

While I vote for a WC one, I am willing to meet in the middle. I think EC races may be too tough for me for $$ reasons unless I get an awesome deal on a flight and make it into a weekend getaway.

 

I like. 

 

I just signed up for a mud run.  Freaking scary for me!  I detest running.  It's in less than 2 weeks.

I'm with Amy on this.  Hey, plus there's been a MW and EC gtg already.  WHen do us out west get some love? 

find me a WC race late in the year at a SW accessible airport I haven't looked into them too much because of the $$ factor (I kind of "know" races east of the mississippi b/c i daydream about this land where I have cash and time).

How about America's Finest City Half. It is in San Diego in August, but I didn't see anything up for next year's race yet.