Now that I’m hopelessly addicted to running Marathons (have finished Chicago, St. Jude & Knoxville), I’ve started compiling a list of races that I want to finish before I leave this earth….
Tier 1:
- Boston – My goal is to qualify before my 40th birthday (I’m 35). To do that I will have to run a 3:15, which is 24 minutes faster than my PR.
- New York – As the intro to Letterman says – “The greatest city in the world!” NYC is my favorite place on earth, and I can’t wait to run this marathon. All 5 boroughs, 2 Million+ spectators, 44K+ runners!! I’m in the lottery for 2010, and will find out on April 7th.
- Big Sur (Monterey, CA) – 26.2 + The Monterey Coast = WOW! Might have to combine with a trip to play Pebble Beach.
- St George (Utah) – 5240’ at the start and 2600’ at the finish, running through beautiful St George, Utah. I’ve been told it is one of the best organized races in the country.
- Walt Disney World Goofy’s Challenge – My wife and I have been to DW 7 times since we were married in 1997, so we obviously love the place. The Goofy’s Challenge is to run the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and the full on Sunday. Runners get a Donald Duck medal for the 1/2, a Mickey Mouse medal for the full, and a Goofy Medal if they can complete both. I am registered for the Challenge in 2011 (my wife is registered for the 1/2).
- Marine Corps. (Washington, DC) – Running through the monuments in DC with Marines handing out water & Gatorade at the aid stations. Sounds pretty special. Would probably register for this year if it didn’t fall on Halloween. I really don’t want to miss Halloween with my kids.
- Rock n’ Roll San Diego – The original Rock n’ Roll marathon in the city known for perfect weather. I know that all of the Rock n’ Roll events are incredibly well run, and are BIG!
- Twin Cities – My friend Mary Anne says this is the most scenic marathon she has ever run, and she has run a LOT of marathons. Starts in Minneapolis and runs to St. Paul. Course passes by numerous lakes, and the Mississippi River.
- Country Music Marathon (Nashville, TN) – I’ve completed the 1/2 marathon, but never the full. Registered for the full in 3 weeks. Love running through the streets of Nashville.
Tier 2:
- Miami – A flat, sea-level course in beautiful Miami. Finishers get a spinning palm tree medal.
- P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Phoenix – I love running in the Phoenix area.
- Mercedes (Birmingham, AL) – I’m not particularly excited about the course (a double loop), but really want the Mercedes hood ornament medal.
- Little Rock – Another one that is about the medal. Like having a dinner plate around your neck.
- Cincinnati Flying Pig – Why? – Two-Sided Flying Pig Medal….
- Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey (Nashville, TN) – Basically 2 laps around the main drive in Percy Warner park (1 in each direction). I regularly train in PW park, and to say it is challenging would be an understatement. Each lap has over 3500’ of elevation change. Not certified, not a BQ, but I really want to do this one. Part of it is because it is my home town. Part of it is the beauty of the park. Part of it is the cool, wood, flying monkey medal. Part of it is getting the bragging rights for finishing this brutal course.
So what great races are missing from my list?