Forums >Running 101>Good First Marathon
By bad do you mean - Flat and Fast - With so many runners it is a zoo - High cost - No free beer afterward?
My good would be small 200-2000 runners
Free beer afterward
Easy logistics
A reasonable course
Cheap Hotel
Something to do after the race
A race Dictator that is not a dork
Monkey fits most of these.
I know a bad first marathon that takes place in the Fall.
Long dead ... But my stench lingers !
You did say in the US, but if you're willing to cross the border just slightly, Victoria is a great marathon. Mid-size, not too small, not too big. Beautiful scenery. Rolling course, not super flat and fast, but nothing too bad. The weather is usually good. Stay at the Empress if you go, and make sure to attend high tea.
I ran it for my first in 2004, and I've been back twice since.
uncontrollable
My first marathon was the 1999 Big Sur International Marathon. Was it good? God no, it was fucking awful. All I know is it took me about a dozen more tries before I could quit the damn things.
My first marathon was the 1999 Big Sur International Marathon. Was it good? God no, it was fucking awful.
All I know is it took me about a dozen more tries before I could quit the damn things.
LOL! Nice pick! That is a ball (ego) buster for a 1st ... I prob wouldn't have even noticed the scenery if it was my 1st - after the 1/2 way mark I had to force myself to "appreciate" the course & scenery with 15 marathons under my belt including multiple Bostons & the Cape! You are the "go big or go home" kind I guess!
peace
Big country - any general vicinity in mind?
old woman w/hobby
Bad Marathon Bizarre race director Possible attack by imaginary creatures Competitors that should be spending their morning in an AA meeting BTW, Jeff F's suggestion of checking out marathonguide.com was excellent.
Bad Marathon
BTW, Jeff F's suggestion of checking out marathonguide.com was excellent.
I'm hoping for this one!
steph
Good Bad & The Monkey
Perhaps. But NOT this one:
I'm running somewhere tomorrow. It's going to be beautiful. I can't wait.
Poor baby
I tried last year and in less than 4 minutes it was full.
FTFY.
I hear that there was a wait list.
I hear that the sadistic RD ended up punishing EVERYBODY on the wait list by letting them in and allowing them to "run" the marathon.
And then he made it rain. Monsoon, actually. If that is a verb.
The BayState Marathon, absolutely.
Yes
My 1st marathon was Journeys in Eagle River, WI. It is a little summer tourist town in Northern WI - But 1st weekend in May not a lot going on. There were 120 runners and it was rolling, rural, heavily wooded route. To me it was perfect - I do not like running with people anyway. I was well run for a small marathon - had water stops every 2 miles to 20 and then every mile after. Nice pre-Race area. Easy hotel to bus pick up for shuttle to start (Walking). Nice post race festivities.
Your good 1st marathon will be decided by what you want? There are so many good marathons - small to mid-sized that you do not have to travel far to find one. Each region has some wonerful marathons for different reasons.
Do not overlook - Sleeping in your own bed is nice.
Mega-Large-Medium-Small-Tiny
Hard-Easy-Trail-Road
Beautiful scenery - What is your definition of beautiful?
Amount of on course support (Aide stations)
Saturday or Sunday
Reasonably Priced total travel package
Post race party
Easy Logistics
If you are more of a wilderness hiker / adventure person - This is hard - beautiful - technical trail
http://fall.superiortrailrace.com/
From the course records you can see how hard the course is - Only 2 peope broke 4 hours last year.
http://fall.superiortrailrace.com/results/course-records/
Niagara Falls is a fun first Marathon. You start in Buffalo NY and end in Niagara Falls Ontario. Relatively flat except when you run over the bridge crossing the border.
Cool Jump Suit
It's always good to do a bad one first. That way you NEVER want to do one again. Running is stupid.
So bittersweet,This tragedyWon't ask for absolution;This melody,Inside of me,Still searches for solution.A twist of faith,A change of heart Cures my infatuation.A broken heart, Provides the sparkFor my determination.