Thanks to the Friday Five link-up with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney, I’m offering five races you need to experience! And, don’t worry because I am offering you some races that are still taking registrations and races that you can throw your name in the hat via their lottery systems. Plus, there is a little bit for everyone with a variety of distances!
Beach to Beacon 10k: This is hands down one of my favorite races. I love Maine and the execution of this race is pretty darn close to flawless. You can read my recaps here and here. Plus, in good news, the lottery opens on March 13th!
ZOOMA Women’s Race Series: I was a race ambassador for their Annapolis race for three years and really enjoyed the vibe of this women centered race despite the hot and hilly course kicking my butt year after year. Now that we relocated away from Maryland, I am trying to figure out when I can get my ZOOMA fix! Maybe Cape Cod or one of their new race locations? Hmmm…. Decisions, decisions. Here is a look at my 2014 race recap.
Marine Corps Marathon: I only have one marathon under my belt but, I will say that the Marine Corps Marathon offered an incredible experience and tons of course support. If you have the itch to tackle a marathon, I think that MCM is the way to go as a newbie! Plus, the lottery has yet to open. Here is a link to my race recap!
Iwo Jima Memorial – MCM 2013 Finish
Hood to Coast: This is known as the mother of all relays and the race certainly lives up to the hype. I ran on a team for Nuun Hydration in 2013 and it kickstarted my obsession with all things relay. You start the race at Mount Hood and end up in Seaside, Orgeon. Need I say more? The bad news is that you really need to plan this race a year plus in advance to submit your packet for entry. However, in the game of relays there are always teams looking for last minute runners to fill in! Recap here!
Ragnar Relay: If you have not run a relay, you need to do it ASAP! I’m pretty sure all of the Ragnar race locations are amazing for one reason or another. Last year, I had a blast running Southern California and Napa Valley, California. This year, So Cal and DC are on the agenda and I cannot wait! {PS. I am in need of So Cal runners if you are interested!!!}
So, what’s your favorite race? What’s on your race bucket list? Have you done one of the races that I have mentioned above?
Lisa
I love the races you chose to highlight but was really sad not to see Cora's first race at Disney at that wonderful photo of the two of you running together. Hope I will get to see you at NYC Marathon
Oh yes!! THAT IS MY FAVORITE RACE OF ALL!! I guess I need a disclaimer: These are races that adults can enjoy 😉
RAGNAR!!! I want to do one so bad, but for me the closest one is in the Florida Keys and that one always seems to conflict with my racing schedule for the Spring season.
They are great races to make into a vacation but it definitely is nice to have some locals on the team!
i am really hoping to get into mcm this year! and i loved zooma annapolis as well. not running it this year, but last year was super fun with our great group!
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This is the first time in four years that I will not be running Annapolis. Part of me wants to drive down and run it but I just don't think it is in the cards with my work schedule. I have lots of other race-cations to keep me busy though! GOOD LUCK ON THE MCM DRAW!!! I will be down there cheerleading for my hubby!!
Oh, Maine is my favorite place in the world! I need to check out that race! I'm running Shipyard Half in July and cannot wait 🙂
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Me too! I love, love, love Maine! Another great race is the LLBean 10k on the Fourth of July. It is in Freeport, ME. I keep eyeing the Shipyard half but I hate longer distance races in the summer. It does fall close to my birthday and could make for a great excuse to get up there!
I wish Zooma would offer races near me (in Iowa). There's no way I can talk hubby into traveling for races!
Maybe one day there will be a race closer to you. I know there are talks of several new locations in the works!
Ragnar and hood to coast races are definitely on my bucket lists. Relay races are so fun!
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Yes! DO IT! You won't be disappointed 😉
I would LOVE to do Hood to Coast someday. And would love to do Beach to Beacon someday since I'm from the area. My bucket list would have to be Big Sur!
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Oh yea, add Big Sur to my never ending list too!
This is awesome! I have done a few of these – MCM (2013 as well), Ragnar DC, Zooma Chicago. So jealous you did Hood to Coast! I have been on a triathlon kick lately so my bucket list seems to involve tris. Through that I've also found out about epic endurance and cycling events. I'll list my three sport list: Swim- St. Croix 5 mile Coral Reef Swim (or maybe the 2 mile); Bike – Hilly Billy Roubaix (75 mile gravel, dirt, pavement and hills); Run – Possibly a trail stage race like the TransRockies Run. So many others. It is so hard to choose.
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Honestly, it's a good thing I am terrified of biking (thanks to an accident as a kid) because it saves my bank account! Maybe one of these days I will get back on a bike. There are tons of trail races that I want to try too!
I've always wanted to do a ZOOMA race, the closest one to me is in the Boston area but it keeps finding itself on my try list!
It's a fantastic race organization!
These all sound fun!! Wish I had time and money to run them all. My favorite race to date is the savanna rock n roll! Beautiful and scenic course.
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I know. Don't you wish race travel and entry budgets were limitless?
Beach to Beacon is on my running bucket list! I love Maine and it looks like such a great course.
Karen @karenlovestorun
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When the time comes, it is definitely a registration process where you need fast fingers 😉
A Zooma race and a Ragnar Relay are both on my wish list. The closest Zooma races are Nashville and Ameilia Island. I'd probably enjoy the flatness of the FL race better. Maybe one day!
I heard good things about the Amelia race. I know several people that found the course to be PR friendly! You should definitely run Ragnar if you ever have the chance!
We've got a Zooma in Texas, in Hill Country. My cousin and I are trying to get her younger sister into running, and this looks like a great way to get her interested.
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I haven't run the Texas race but it is on my list! I went to UT for grad school and need a good excuse to visit. Maybe next year! ZOOMA is definitely a great race for beginners since it has such a great vibe and positive atmosphere.
That hood to coast picture is beautiful! Beach to Beacon is also on my bucket list.
If you can't tell, I enjoy races with a great course! Hood to Coast was just stunning and offered such a variety of landscapes. Beach to Beacon has a gorgeous finish line and the town of Cape Elizabeth really comes out full force to cheer on the runners as they make their way through the town.
Awesome list!!! I would love to do a Zooma race. The closest to here is Napa. I have heard they are awesome!! I have done MCM/HTC/Ragnar! Love them all!!
Bucket list items: Vancouver BC marathon, Flying Pig marathon, Lake Placid Ironman!!
Favorite Races: NYC marathon, Ragnar NWP, HTC, Wildflower long course
I think you are my go to race expert. Seriously, have you run ALL THE RACES 😉 Oh, and I finally decided that I am in for NYCM. I wish you were too!
Love all your race pictures!
I have always been a solo runner, but some co workers a few years back had an open slot on their Ragnar team and needed a quick fill in, so I agreed to do it. I didn't think I would really enjoy myself, in fact I brought lots of music and books to read because I thought I'd be bored, LOL I was so wrong, it was such an amazing experience, I didn't even crack open the books or even the music for that matter:) I had far more fun with the team!
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Hood to Coast was my first relay experience. I was definitely worried about the van experience. I am so glad that I opened myself up to it! Now I am hooked!
I had such a great experience volunteering at MCM last year. I would love to eventually run this race one day, when I feel more confident about my ability to take on more than a half marathon.
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Once you put your mind to it, you will do it! It is certainly a time consuming effort though. In my opinion, you really have to want it to make it happen!
Oh!! It's Tuesday and I am so nervous for Friday, March 13th! I really want to race Beach2Beacon again for the 4th time!! I also, will be running the Llbean 10k this July 4th. I really love Maine races. My biggest race this year will be Ragnar DC-so EXCITED!!
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I just set my reminder for Friday morning! FAST FINGERS!!
I really want to do the Hood to Coast and a Ragnar Relay at some point so good to know you'd recommend them also! I hope you're having a great week so far!
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They are both fantastic race organizations! Hood to Coast was just a spectacular experience all around and it is hard to beat!
Woohoo awesome list. Gotta love Zooma
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It seems so wrong to not have ZOOMA on my race calendar! Are you running this year?
By far my favorite race was Hood to Coast on the Nuun Team as well. And I don't know if anything will be able to top that one!