Races worth Traveling for - The DIS Discussion Forums

Figment1990 · 01-18-2013, 12:12 PM

So.... thinking about my new hobby (running!) and I just love the fact that I can combine it with traveling! Had I known that I could use races as an excuse to travel, I would have started training years ago!

Clearly what races are worth traveling for is related to what places you actually have a desire to travel to. (For most of us, clearly Disney is at the top of that list!) Even so, I'm wondering where else you all may have run and enjoyed?

Also, I'm specifically curious about the Historic Half (or MCM 10k that is new this year) in DC, the Shamrock half in VA beach, any of the Rock n Roll races and anything run in NOLA, Texas, or near an Ocean!

Bephus · 01-18-2013, 01:04 PM

I have done MCM and DC is beautiful!
Atlanta is a great city and it has both the Atlanta marathon and the Georgia marathon. Both have 1/2 marathons too (plus there is the Peachtree 10K 4th of July weekend)
Va Beach is tons of fun and the Shamrock weekend is super fun! I did the 8K and the full (you can do the 1/2) and it is a little like the Goofy/Dumbo - you get a pin for the combo.
Outer Banks, NC has a fun race that is pirate-themed - very fun, flat, fast and one-way.I haven't done it but I really want to!
Any race in FL

DisMar2011 · 01-18-2013, 01:51 PM

Honolulu Marathon if you need an excuse to go to Hawaii. It's 2nd week in December so if you can push your training up a month, you can comfortably do Disney as well.

Disney has the Aulani resort in Hawaii now as well.

Figment1990 · 01-18-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bephus

I have done MCM and DC is beautiful!
Atlanta is a great city and it has both the Atlanta marathon and the Georgia marathon. Both have 1/2 marathons too (plus there is the Peachtree 10K 4th of July weekend)
Va Beach is tons of fun and the Shamrock weekend is super fun! I did the 8K and the full (you can do the 1/2) and it is a little like the Goofy/Dumbo - you get a pin for the combo.
Outer Banks, NC has a fun race that is pirate-themed - very fun, flat, fast and one-way.I haven't done it but I really want to!
Any race in FL

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean!

It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

UGAFan0829 · 01-18-2013, 03:11 PM

Other than the Disney races that I've yet to do, there are 2 races that I've added to my "must-do" list...One is the Myrtle Beach Mini which I've read great things about and includes a huge medal and the other is the Women's Running Half in St. Pete.

Rupert B Puppenstein · 01-18-2013, 04:59 PM

The only races that I would consider as vacation races would be:

Savannah RNR - The city is wonderful and the race course is fantastic!

Kiawah Island - an Island just off the coast of Charleston, it is a nature lovers paradise, and not too far from Charleston which is fun to explore.

Chicago RNR - I never appreciated Chicago until I did this race. We went on an architectural boat tour that was great. There was so much more I wanted to do, so I will either with the Chicago Marathon or running that again. The bonus for the Chicago RNR is that the Expo is amazing. Easily the best I have ever been to!

Diva's Myrtle Beach - The northern part of Myrtle Beach that this race takes place is not nearly as touristy. Of course being a beach community, there is a lot to do and see. The only downside is that I didn't like the course. Didn't see the beach once.

scoolover · 01-18-2013, 05:41 PM

I have taken long weekends in Northern New England in fall for races. Applefest and The Leaf Peepers Half are nice races.

Bephus · 01-18-2013, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figment1990

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean!

It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

It does. The weather is wonderful

. Cool for running but not cold. They also have fun kids races if you have kiddos. Plus they give out tons of beer tickets! We stayed on the boardwalk and it was an amazing time. Highly recommend this race weekend.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Bephus · 01-18-2013, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UGAFan0829

Other than the Disney races that I've yet to do, there are 2 races that I've added to my "must-do" list...One is the Myrtle Beach Mini which I've read great things about and includes a huge medal and the other is the Women's Running Half in St. Pete.

Woman's Half in St Pete is a great race. I've done it twice, very fun and cool medal with a detachable charm. <3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

Figment1990 · 01-18-2013, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoolover

I have taken long weekends in Northern New England in fall for races. Applefest and The Leaf Peepers Half are nice races.

What a great idea! And I have family in NE so I'll have to add this to my race bucket list for sure.

Figment1990 · 01-18-2013, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bephus

Woman's Half in St Pete is a great race. I've done it twice, very fun and cool medal with a detachable charm. <3

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

This does look like a very cool race. Love the medal!

cobbler · 01-18-2013, 08:32 PM

I haven't done it but the Hershey Half marathon. Hershey kiss medal... I want one of those!

DVCMAUREEN · 01-18-2013, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Figment1990

ooohhhh Pirate theme! fun!

Does the Shamrock 8k run along the boardwalk? I just want to be able to see the ocean!

It's been at least 10 years since I've been to the ocean (any ocean) and I used to go there all the time for vacation as a child. What is the weather like in VA beach in March?

I have not done any of the Shamrock races myself but my friends love them and go back every year. March is pretty cool in VA but varies greatly.

FFigawi · 01-18-2013, 10:23 PM

Races to travel for:

Marine Corps Marathon
Mount Desert Island Marathon (coast of Maine)
Big Sur Marathon
RnR New Orleans
Space Coast Marathon

Disneyland_emily · 01-19-2013, 06:17 AM

I'd ditto the Space Coast Marathon/Half-

easily one of my fav races- great medal- great after party- nice course

-em

01-18-2013, 12:12 PM	#1
Figment1990 DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,170	Races worth Traveling for So.... thinking about my new hobby (running!) and I just love the fact that I can combine it with traveling! Had I known that I could use races as an excuse to travel, I would have started training years ago! Clearly what races are worth traveling for is related to what places you actually have a desire to travel to. (For most of us, clearly Disney is at the top of that list!) Even so, I'm wondering where else you all may have run and enjoyed? Also, I'm specifically curious about the Historic Half (or MCM 10k that is new this year) in DC, the Shamrock half in VA beach, any of the Rock n Roll races and anything run in NOLA, Texas, or near an Ocean! __________________ me DH DS(5) First trip: Mar 90, Polynesian Most recent trips: Apr '13 WL/Poly! Nov '12, Wine & Dine 1/2Marathon - BWI! Aug '12 DL In-between: Grand Floridian, AKV-Kidani, Poly, WL, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Coronado Springs

01-18-2013, 01:04 PM	#2
Bephus DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Julington Creek, FL Posts: 783	I have done MCM and DC is beautiful! Atlanta is a great city and it has both the Atlanta marathon and the Georgia marathon. Both have 1/2 marathons too (plus there is the Peachtree 10K 4th of July weekend) Va Beach is tons of fun and the Shamrock weekend is super fun! I did the 8K and the full (you can do the 1/2) and it is a little like the Goofy/Dumbo - you get a pin for the combo. Outer Banks, NC has a fun race that is pirate-themed - very fun, flat, fast and one-way.I haven't done it but I really want to! Any race in FL __________________ ~Beth = Me, = DH, = DS6, = DD4 2013 Race Schedule: Disney Marathon - 20th Anniversary 26.2 With Donna 1/2 Marathon Princess 1/2 Marathon - Girl's Weekend!!! Tour de Pain Extreme - It's Extremely Fun!! 10K, 1/2 Marathon and 5K in 24 hours Dumbo Double Dare! Coast to Coast for my 35th Birthday St Augustine 1/2 Marathon Subaru Distance Classic 1/2 Marathon Space Coast 1/2 Marathon

01-18-2013, 03:11 PM	#5
UGAFan0829 DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: North GA Posts: 4,254	Other than the Disney races that I've yet to do, there are 2 races that I've added to my "must-do" list...One is the Myrtle Beach Mini which I've read great things about and includes a huge medal and the other is the Women's Running Half in St. Pete. __________________ Sharing the Magic-Our Niece & Nephew's 1st Trip to the World! A May '12 TR Mike & Missy Plus Six-A 9/11/11 Dream Trip Report Mike & Missy's Saying Goodbye to the Wonder 09/19/10 Pre-TR--Now a TR! A Trip of Magical Memories-Princess 1/2 Marathon Weekend-March 5-8, 2010! Mike & Missy's Grand Adventure! 9/5/09 DCL Western & WDW TR w/ pics!

01-18-2013, 04:59 PM	#6
Rupert B Puppenstein DIS Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,524	The only races that I would consider as vacation races would be: Savannah RNR - The city is wonderful and the race course is fantastic! Kiawah Island - an Island just off the coast of Charleston, it is a nature lovers paradise, and not too far from Charleston which is fun to explore. Chicago RNR - I never appreciated Chicago until I did this race. We went on an architectural boat tour that was great. There was so much more I wanted to do, so I will either with the Chicago Marathon or running that again. The bonus for the Chicago RNR is that the Expo is amazing. Easily the best I have ever been to! Diva's Myrtle Beach - The northern part of Myrtle Beach that this race takes place is not nearly as touristy. Of course being a beach community, there is a lot to do and see. The only downside is that I didn't like the course. Didn't see the beach once. __________________ Shelby Click for Friends & Family Link

01-18-2013, 05:41 PM	#7
scoolover DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Gales Ferry, CT Posts: 1,357	I have taken long weekends in Northern New England in fall for races. Applefest and The Leaf Peepers Half are nice races. __________________ Scott

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01-18-2013, 01:51 PM	#3
DisMar2011 Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 18	Honolulu Marathon if you need an excuse to go to Hawaii. It's 2nd week in December so if you can push your training up a month, you can comfortably do Disney as well. Disney has the Aulani resort in Hawaii now as well.

01-18-2013, 08:32 PM	#12
cobbler Tag #1: (Under Construction: Waiting for cobbler to say something worth tagging! ) Tag #2: Beat husband in a debate Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: MI and SSR Posts: 8,074	I haven't done it but the Hershey Half marathon. Hershey kiss medal... I want one of those! __________________ Jan '00 - CBR / Dec '01 - CSR / Dec '03 - POR / Dec '04 - Pop & Sports / Oct '05 - POFQ / Nov '05 - 1st trip home to SSR / Nov '06 - CR Tower / Jan '07 - BWV Oct '07 - SSMC07 & SSR / Nov '07 - ASMo / Apr '08 - AKV & ASMu / Sept '08 - SSMC08 & CBR / Nov '08 - GF /May '09 - DCL & YC /Oct '09 - SSR / Dec '09 - OKW & DCL Apr '10 - GCV / Oct '10 - OKW / Dec '11 - VWL / Jan '12 -SSR / May '12 -Poly Concierge / Sept '12 - Grand Californian Concierge / Jan '13 - SSR Disney Races: Oct '07 - ToT 6.5K / May '08 - Minnie 15K / Sept '08 - EE 5K / Sept '09 - EE 5K / Oct '09 - RFTT / Oct '10 - W&D 1/2 Marathon / Jan '12 - Donald / Sept '12 - Disneyland half Jan '13 - Goofy Challenge

01-18-2013, 10:23 PM	#14
FFigawi DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Doha, Qatar Posts: 1,279	Races to travel for: Marine Corps Marathon Mount Desert Island Marathon (coast of Maine) Big Sur Marathon RnR New Orleans Space Coast Marathon __________________ Cheers, John

01-19-2013, 06:17 AM	#15
Disneyland_emily I soo need to get that I knew there was a reason I still had faith in people I can't sleep unless I say goodnight to Drew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: WDW- ironically Posts: 3,601	I'd ditto the Space Coast Marathon/Half- easily one of my fav races- great medal- great after party- nice course -em __________________ -365 Disney Style- http://hyphenem365.blogspot.com/

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