Half Marathon Recommendations

[JVAR]

I turned 40 last year and went through a brief midlife crisis and started running again. I really enjoy it and ran the Dam to Dam and the Des Moines Half last year and loved it. I want to run them again this year, but was looking for 1 to 2 more runs and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I was looking at the half in Linclon but it already filled up. I am content with running half marathons and do them for fun and to keep me accountable. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I heard the Duluth, MN is good. Thanks in advance.

 

[dmclone]

I ran Grandma's full marathon in Duluth and it was great.

Like you said, Dam to Dam is great. I didn't really like the Drake 1/2 marathon.

 

[theyork]

I turned 40 last year and went through a brief midlife crisis and started running again. I really enjoy it and ran the Dam to Dam and the Des Moines Half last year and loved it. I want to run them again this year, but was looking for 1 to 2 more runs and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I was looking at the half in Linclon but it already filled up. I am content with running half marathons and do them for fun and to keep me accountable. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I heard the Duluth, MN is good. Thanks in advance.

i'm hoping to run the nashville 1/2. thought it does cost a whopping $110. however that does get you into a country music festival with 28 bands (too bad i hate country). 35K participants Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon – April 30, 2011

i participated in the st paddy's day 5mi in st louis last year. it was pretty good. free michelobe after the race. about 10k participants $25 Metropolitan St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee | Saint Louis, Missouri there were flurries last year which sucked.

 

[twojman]

I have run the Drake 8k 4 or 5 times, I think I am going to try the Drake 1/2 this year, give that one a try with me. I have run the Dam to Dam 4 times and this year will make my fifth.

 

[crash_zone]

I agree with DMClone - Grandma's is a lot of fun for a full marathon. Washington DC also has a good marathon (lots to see while running).

For half marathons - there are a lot around. Don't be afraid to try a few of the smaller races. I did the 1/2 Marathon to Marathon. Not a lot of people and it had a small town feel, but it was a lot of fun.

 

[fwiw]

Check out the Rock and Roll series, Chicago has a half in August:

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and Half Marathon – Series Lineup

Oklahoma City (not a Rock and Roll event) also has a nice marathon/half on May 1 -- easy course, well organized.

 

[brianhos]

I am strongly considering doing a new marathon this fall: The Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K

Cannot beat the destination, but training for the heat will be tough.

 

[fwiw]

I am strongly considering doing a new marathon this fall: The Reggae Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K

Cannot beat the destination, but training for the heat will be tough.

That looks awesome, from the photos at least it looks like they start in the dark.

I love running in the heat and humidity, but anything past a half would probably make me rethink that. :twitcy:

 

[brianhos]

That looks awesome, from the photos at least it looks like they start in the dark.

I love running in the heat and humidity, but anything past a half would probably make me rethink that. :twitcy:

It does start like 5am. It is 90 degree by 10am there, so you have to start early. Plus there is no shade at all on the course. The view cannot be beat, it is 100 feet from the ocean the entire way. Of course that does not help with the humidity.

 

[im4cyclones]

I am a big fan of the Des Moines half. The more half marathons I run, the more I realize how well that event is planned and organized. Minneapolis half is equivalent -- well organized, good route through interesting neighborhoods in the Mill District. Omaha isn't worth it. Route has about two challenging hills but the race isn't as well organized. Waddell & Reed in Kansas City has a great, but challenging route. Really get to see great parts of the city. Well organized.

One that I hope to do someday is the Sunburst Half in South Bend. You start at the College football hall of fame and finish inside Notre Dame's football stadium. As a college football fan, that would be awesome.

Here is a link that might help you find a half worth doing...
Mapshot: Upcoming Half Marathons

 

[larry]

Derby Festival Marathon & miniMarathon

This one's in Louisville, april 30. They have a new course this year, but you still get to do a lap inside of Churchill Downs(this is the week before the KD). Always lots of people along the course. Wear some Cyclone gear and someone is bound to give you a shout out!

 

[wannabe]

Grandma's in Duluth also have a half-marathon which is great. Flat to rolling along the North shore of Lake Superior. They bus you from Duluth to the starting spot on the marathon course. Great fan support as well.

I have done it five times and always enjoy the festivities.

 

[ThatllDoCy]

I did the Mad City Marathon in Madison and it is a really cool course. I would recommend it.

 

[dmclone]

Grandma's in Duluth also have a half-marathon which is great. Flat to rolling along the North shore of Lake Superior. They bus you from Duluth to the starting spot on the marathon course. Great fan support as well.

I have done it five times and always enjoy the festivities.

I should go back and do the 1/2. Doing the full marathon just ruined running for me for a number of years.

 

[IcSyU]

I should go back and do the 1/2. Doing the full marathon just ruined running for me for a number of years.

I told myself when I finished the DSM marathon on October I'd never do another one because of how much physical and mental hell it was. Now I can't wait to get started training for this year's to try and drop my time since I didn't really train for last year's.

 

[JVAR]

Thanks. You guys have given me a few good ideas. I am bound to the midwest until my kids get a little older. I will look into the Madison and the Duluth. For you guys that run full marathons, how many miles a week do you put in? I run 30 to 35 a week in the summer, but don't think I could handle a full. I have kept my mileage at 20 to 25 in the winter and most of it has been outdoors.

 

[djkent01]

Team In Training (TNT) through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society offers opportunities to compete in a number of races. You have to raise money, but they provide all the training, your race fee, travel, and lodging. It's a blast and you get to meet new people - and, most importantly, help a great cause.

 

[fwiw]

Thanks. You guys have given me a few good ideas. I am bound to the midwest until my kids get a little older. I will look into the Madison and the Duluth. For you guys that run full marathons, how many miles a week do you put in? I run 30 to 35 a week in the summer, but don't think I could handle a full. I have kept my mileage at 20 to 25 in the winter and most of it has been outdoors.

I've done a couple marathons where 35 miles was about my max week and 20 was my longest training run. Half of marathoning is believing in yourself, so if you are putting in the miles and believe, you can do it.

 

[ISUTKD]

If you are willing to travel for a race I'd recommend the La Jolla Half marathon in the San Diego Area and the National half in DC. Both wonderful for the scenery and terrific springtime weather. Another decent one is the Philly Distance run in the fall. happy training!

 

[mikeiastat]

I turned 40 last year and went through a brief midlife crisis and started running again. I really enjoy it and ran the Dam to Dam and the Des Moines Half last year and loved it. I want to run them again this year, but was looking for 1 to 2 more runs and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations? I was looking at the half in Linclon but it already filled up. I am content with running half marathons and do them for fun and to keep me accountable. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I heard the Duluth, MN is good. Thanks in advance.

You have to do the Detroit Free Press Half. It is not the greatest city in the country, but the free press run is pretty awesome. If I recall the half people get to run accross the border to Canada through the tunnel under the border and lake channel. I know the Full marathoners come back across the bridge and I'm pretty sure the half marothoners get to do the same.

Fairly flat too. except for the bridge. The Bridge should take a little toll on the legs, but by far the most interesting run I know of. Careful for the goofin off outside of the run. Detroit is a dump, but you can hit the sports area (Hockeytown Cafe is often rated the #1 sports bar in the country) and the casino an be very safe for a big city.