Race REVIEWS
Here you can read my various reviews of races… because some races are pricey, some courses are boring, and some races simply aren’t worth the time or money.
Others are so awesome you want to run them year after year. My goal is to let you know which of those two categories a race falls into.
I try to give some helpful tips for each specific race so you can be as prepared as possible, have a great time running, and beat my time. haha, um, no.
Note: I don’t run many 10k races; if given the choice, I’d rather run more miles for the entry fee. And I never run 5k races… unless they’re giving out free diamonds. Plus, you have to run really fast in 5k races. And I don’t do fast.
BUT if you want to pay me to run and review a race, believe me, I’ll do it. I might put makeup on for you. or even a shirt.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(Click on the race title to bring up the complete review)
The Silver Strands Half Marathon
Held on Coronado Island right next to San Diego. In November.
The Santa Barbara Newspress Half Marathon
Great course along the water for most of the race. On first weekend of November.
The Huntington Beach Distance Derby 10 miler
HB Distance Derby 10 miler (2010)
The whole race is on a bike path right next to the ocean. Third week of October. Also a 5 mile option.
The Nike Women’s Marathon/Half Marathon
HUGE race in San Francisco; crappy corral system and logistics. Middle of October. I reviewed the half.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Big, fun race but cold weather. First weekend of December.
Southern California Kaiser Permanente Half Marathon
A well-run race with good logistics but BORING course. First week of January.
In Santa Monica, nice weather, decent course. First week of January.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon
Big race, great expo, flat, fast but boring course. 3rd week of January.
Very small race in Western Washington, gorgeous course. In Februrary.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Dallas Half Marathon
Fabulous race, one of my favorites. Great weather, good course. Mid March.
Big race from Dodgers Stadium to Santa Monica. Very poor logistics, wouldn’t recommend it at all. Middle of March.
Improvements made the race much better, still very expensive.
Great Race of Agoura Chesebro Half Marathon
Very fun trail race, awesome after-party. Definitely recommend this race. End of March.
Camp Pendleton Hard Corps Marathon
Small, rolling hills race on the base. Lots of friendly marines. Middle of April.
PCRF Cinco de Mayo Half Marathon
Mostly flat course, nice weather, family-focused event. Beginning of May.
Very hilly but beautiful, scenic course. Mid May.
Pasadena Say No to Drugs Half Marathon
At the Rose Bowl, warm weather. Part road, part trail, small race. September.
Small race through farm roads, kinda boring. Beginning of October.
Larger race in October, great support but be prepared for rain!
Nike Women’s Marathon San Francisco
A large, girl power race in the Bay area. Mid October.
Largest marathon in the world, amazing experience but hard to get into. November.
Smaller, windy and hilly race along the Coast. Not enough aid stations but beautiful views. Mid November.
Very small, local race all run in a mile park. Mid November.
5k/10k beautiful, scenic race in Dana Point along the harbor on Thanksgiving.
Right after Thanksgiving. Smaller race, awesome course. Be prepared for any sort of weather!
LA County Holiday Half Marathon
A fun, holiday run in Pomona, middle of December.
Very scenic, gorgeous course but register early! Third week of January.
Challenging but scenic course in San Diego County. smaller race, mid Feb.
March, outside of Vegas, very beautiful and hilly course.
Very small, qualifying only race in Rhode Island.
It’s Boston, need I say more?
A smaller, scenic race. Beginning of May.
A small, local race outside of LA. Hot weather.
A great destination race. Middle of September.
A small race through vineyards with great volunteers. Mid October.
Rock ‘n’ Roll LA Half Marathon
Downtown LA, right before Halloween, dress up!
The inaugural year, first week of November.
Santa Barbara International Marathon
Smaller, great race in mid November.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Night marathon
Horribly executed race, wouldn’t pay for an entry
Middle of January, beautiful, tough course
An expensive but very fun race at Disneyland
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
You should add the Lake Tahoe Half Marathon to your list. Most beautiful views you’ll ever see on a course.
http://www.laketahoemarathon.com/halfmarathon.html
They also have a full marathon but unless you WANT to kill yourself I’d suggest starting with the half. Trust me it is a doozy!
Come on over to the good old Midwest and run our QC Marathon – you go over three bridges, crossing the Mississippi River from Illinois to Iowa and back to Illinois.
Here’s the link on the new course: http://www.qconline.com/index.php#top
if you are looking for an amazing marathon experience…
TOKYO MARATHON.
one of the best things I did while abroad. hands down. =)
Everyone is invited to the newest (and frankly the most scenic) half marathon in the Pacific Northwest – Whistler, BC. Put it on your calendar – June 4, 2011.
GREEN BAY, WI CELLCOM!!! U end your run running through Lambeau Field!!
How about the marathon at Beitostølen in the Norwegian mountains? :p It’s not like it’s hilly or anything…
http://www.beitoworldcup.com/article.asp?w=65557094&x=10654&level2=65557148
So how many marathons have you ran. I am really enjoying your site – Love your name!
(of course I would – mine is Skinny and Fabulous!)
I’m training for my first marathon in August – actually recovery at the moment since I ran my first Ironman 70.3 on the weekend. Now its marathon time!
What would you suggest that I do to train for a race end of August?
Pattie
congrats on the ironman 70.3 – thats crazy insane!
ive ran 18 marathons in the past year and a half but i dont follow any training plan so i really dont have any sort of training advice, sorry!
Honolulu Marathon and Maui Marathon/Half Marathon have the greatest oceanside views plus it’s always sunny here! Aloha!
Just started reading your blog and I love it. I’m about to run my 4th marathon in Chicago in less than 2 weeks. You should consider it in the future. Great course, amazing expo and over 1 million of the greatest cheerleaders! Good luck on your next race!
You must try the disney world marathon. I’ve never had so much fun running. love this blog btw!!!
{ 2 trackbacks }