Forums >Racing>Favorite "Cheap" Marathon(s)
How about a thread praising the virtues of marathons that cost under $100? Here are three of my favorites:
Ridge to Bridge (NC) $90
http://www.leetiming.com/R2BM_Info.html
They'll be changing their name soon (legal reasons; plus the course changed since it started, doesn't end at a bridge anymore; I'm rooting for Plummet the Summit). Point to point course down a (small) mountain, net elevation loss 2700 feet. Very fast if your quads can take it. Beautiful scenery, fun group, nice pottery awards made by local artists.
Grandfather Mountain (NC) $70
http://www.hopeformarrow.org/gmminfo.htm
Sort of the opposite of R2B, this one runs up a mountain. Ends at the Highland Games, so your last .2 is around a track in front of a big audience, among a bunch of big dudes throwing trees around in kilts and girls dancing without moving their arms.
Umstead Marathon (NC) $65
http://www.umsteadmarathon.com//
My favorite. Hilly course through Umstead Park. Finishers get a pint glass instead of a medal. Every year they have a new mascot, the identity of which is kept secret until packet pickup. This year we're rooting for possum. No AG awards, just a wood plaque in the shape of the mascot for the top fifteen men and women.
What small/cheap races would you recommend to someone balking at the price tag of the Big Ones?
Baystate.
Runners run.
Virginia Creeper marathon only $10.
Proud Calgarian
The Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero, VT. It's the 43rd annual running of the race this year (they know what they're doing) and it's $55 for the marathon.
It does fill up at 750 runners though...
2013 Goals:
5k - 17:59; 10k - 37:30; HM - 1:21:59; FM - 2:59:59
Long Drawfs Fast
Run until the trail runs out.
2013***1500 miles
50 miler
http://bkclay.blogspot.com/
The Green Mountain Marathon in South Hero, VT. It's the 43rd annual running of the race this year (they know what they're doing) and it's $55 for the marathon. It does fill up at 750 runners though...
Really good race, but a couple of years ago they severely bumped up the price. When I did it the race cost $22.
Another $10 race is the Roxbury (Conn) Marathon. I haven't done it, so I have no idea if it is good or not, but for $10 I'm willing to find out.
"Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood." -Daniel Burnham
Modesto Marathon - $85. Never done it but I hope I can get to it soon. Looks flat and fast.
I'd be surprised if any marathon in Alaska charged as much as $100 to enter. Some of the larger road ones are close to $100, including price increases this year. I've only done Equinox (3500ft of up on loop course, hybrid trail/road but more trail, 50th event was in 2012) and Hatcher Pass (4000ft of up, about 1000ft of down on point-to-point gravel road course, fairly new). Organization is great in both of them. Yes, Alaskans like hills.
CIM - $85 if register during the first two weeks after the registration opens.
There are PLENTY of marathons under $100 if you time it right.
http://www.wineglassmarathon.com/marathon.html Assuming you register before June.
Baltimore before August.
Philadelphia before May.
There are plenty more.
Jeff
Pocatello (Idado) was $45 when I did it. It was beautiful and well organized. I got a backpack that I still use, plus a bag of potatoes as a finishers prize!
Flying Pig was just $75 when we signed up early.
Age: 45 Weight: 200 Height: 6'2" (Goal weight 200)
2013 Goal #1 - Sub 4 hour First Marathon - 3:48:09 at the Flying Pig 5/5/13!
2013 Goal #2 - Run my age in 10K. PR 9/8/12 - 49:18
46th Annual ORRRC Marathon and 24th Annual ORRRC Half Marathon, Xenia, OH
4/7/13
The race is just $25 if you register early. Race day registration is just $50.
PRs: Marathon (2:56xx; '13) Half (1:25xx; '12) 10k (40:26; '11) 5mi (29:23; '13) 5k (18:31; '11)
Geezer trying for speed
Tupelo marathon was inexpensive (?$70??) and I chose it because it was fairly close and timed right for what I needed. The "hills" are gentle and it can be a fast run. The problem can be the weather... sometimes it's cool, but when I ran it, it was around 75 at 5 AM. The medal is awesome (although some may not appreciate the skulls... see a picture here... http://markrice.com/running/20120902_tupelo/20120902_race_report_tupelo.htm
Pensacola was inexpensive (maybe $70 again) even closer for me, and was a rewarding run. I was lucky with the cloud cover so the temps and conditions were great (except some bad wind). Average temps at the beginning are 60 and could get hot on a sunny day, but when I was there, it was great.
Anyone could see races, etc. on www.markrice.com/running.
I believe in HR training: www.markrice.com/running/heart_rate_training.html
I second Baystate.
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