It’s Friday, so that means I’m linking up for Friday Five 2.0 with Rachel from Running on Happy and Lacey and Meranda from Fairytales and Fitness.
This week we’re talking about our favorite races! I actually wrote about this topic last year. I added the “So Far” part to the blog title because I knew I would probably be building on this list every year. Sure enough, I have more races to add to the list and I’m excited to share them with you today!
I ran this race for the first time last year and I’ll be back this year! Not only is Philly a great city, but the races are awesome (You can read my race recaps for more information)! I also like this race because it allows me to meet up with running buddies that I don’t get to see any other time of the year. This year there is a 5K and 10K race on Saturday and the half marathon is on Sunday. You know I’ll be tackling the 5K and Half Marathon to complete the Remix Challenge! If you still want to sign up, use code RNB15 to save $15 on the half marathon!
While I didn’t have the best running experience at this race because I was injured, it was an awesome weekend! I mean it’s Las Vegas!! There’s so much to see and do. This race weekend includes a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon. While I wouldn’t recommend the 5K (you literally run in a parking lot), the half marathon is great. Also the medals for this year’s race are super fun! Now I do have to #keepitreal here, this race is hella expensive (you can save $15 with code RNB15), but just know it’s all about the experience. Honestly, how many times in your life will you get the chance to run down the Las Vegas strip at night?!
This race will always hold a special place in my heart because it was my first marathon. Not only is the marathon one of the World Marathon Majors, but it’s a notoriously difficult race to get into (tons of runners enter the lottery)! I was lucky enough to gain entry through doing the NYRR 9+1 program last year and this year. This race literally has everything – TONS of crowd support, live music, elite runners, inspirational runners, etc. As someone that has both run and volunteered at this race, I can tell you there is nothing else like it. It’s the experience of a lifetime.
This is a great local race that is relatively new but so well organized. I ran this race last year as part of a 20 mile training run. It’s a beautiful course with great crowd support in certain spots. The race also offers a 5K option as well. I didn’t run the 5K but my mom did and she had nothing but positive things to say. I’m bummed to be missing it this year because I’m running RnR Brooklyn, but if you’re looking for great half marathon in CT, I highly recommend this one! Bonus: It’s in Fall (mid-October) so the weather is perfect AND the swag and post-race food is phenomenal!
You might be asking, “But Kim, you haven’t done this race yet so how can it be a favorite?” It’s all about positive thinking my friends! No matter how this race turns out, it’s going to be a favorite. I know several runners that have done this marathon and they all loved it (well, except for the weather if its hot)! Chicago is probably my 2nd favorite city – I pretty much love everything about it. In addition, I’m hoping to meet TONS of my social media running friends in real life. As a professional pizza eater, I know that Chicago never disappoints. I’m really looking forward to the 26.2 mile tour of the entire city!
What are some of your favorite races? What races are you looking forward to this Fall?
You’ll love Chicago – it’s a big party end to end and you’ll have awesome cheerleaders (I’m an expert!!) NYC made my list of course. The Philadelphia Distance Run (which is now RnR Philadelphia) is in my top 10, too. It’s such a great course!
I’m really excited for Chicago!
I’ve never done a Rock n Roll race, they always look like a lot of fun. How great that your first marathon was NYC! I bet it was a blast
It was definitely a great first marathon – hard, but still fun.
RNR puts on great races and I would love to run Philly some year but the timing doesn’t seem to work out! -M
If you ever get the chance to run Philly you’ll love it!
Yup, been there, done that — ran & walked the Vegas strip.
I’m looking forward to Wineglass with friends in a couple of months!
I’ve heard great things about Wineglass!
This makes me excited to get back into running/racing! My broken foot is almost healed 🙂
Hope you have a great Friday!
I hope you can get back to running soon now that your foot is almost healed!
RnR Vegas is by far the most fun race I’ve ever done. I hope I have the chance to do it again some day
Me too! I don’t think I would do it for a few years though – it’s pretty expensive!
NYC Marathon is definitely my fave :). I want to do RNR Philly and Vegas and Chicago… ahhh so many choices!
you won’t be disappointed with any of those RnR races!
I would love to run NYC and Chicago! Now I just have to get in the mood to run a marathon again….
LOL I totally understand! Training for a marathon isn’t that fun, but the race is always great, lol
RnR actually isn’t as expensive as Disney. I paid $120 to register for Tink 10k, and that was the starting price. I missed the deadline before the first price increase for the Vegas 10, and still paid less. I don’t mind though, if the races are organized and are a fun event. I do pay way less for local races.
Wow, that’s crazy! I do wish that some of races would lower their registration prices. It’s getting a little crazy!
Looking forward to Chicago too… hope we are blessed with good weather!
Me too! I am praying to the weather gods, lol
Both RnR Philly & Vegas sound like amazing races! I’d love to run them both one day!
You will not be disappointed if you decide to run one, or both, of those races!
I would LOVE to run Chicago or NYC! Not sure if I’m going to ever do that though. I might be more interested in sticking to trails. 😉 I’ve done one RNR in New Orleans and it wasn’t my favorite. 🙁 There was very little rock and roll and I was pretty disappointed. My fave is the Marine Corps Marathon. LOVE that race!
Oh no, sorry to hear about RnR New Orleans. That’s a race I was thinking of doing since it’s in New Orleans and I’ve never been there before!
Trail races have my favorite race atmosphere…I guess that means I don’t care too much about crowd support! I’m planning to run some local 5Ks this fall, I haven’t raced a 5K in a few years.
Racing a 5K can be so hard! I haven’t done that in a few years myself.
Lol, I love that you’re a professional pizza eater. Noms!
I’m not much of a big city person so I’m not sure I would like Chicago or NYCM. Maybe one of these days. We’ll see!
LOL. Pizza eating is one of my special talents, hahaha.
I think Chicago might be a little less crowded than NYC if you ever decide to do one of this races!
I’m so not a Vegas person but I really loved RnR Vegas too. I ran 2 very hot Chicago Marathons but you WILL love it! AND I’ll be cheering for you at mile 13 so there’s that. : )
Same here! I’m not much of a gambler so Vegas isn’t my city of choice, but I had so much fun when I was there for the weekend!
I’m looking forward to seeing you on the Chicago course!
I have 2 more marathons that I know I need to do: Boston and NYC. One day, I will get them. And yes, Chicago is your favorite race you haven’t done yet!
When you do come to NYC I’ll be volunteering and cheering you on!
I”m running my first trail half marathon this fall and am really looking forward to switching it up!
My favorite races are probably San Diego Rock n’ Roll, La Jolla Half and the Surf City Marathon! I liked CIM too for a marathon!
That’s awesome! I hope your first trail half is a good experience!
Vegas!! Gosh I’d love to run in vegas! Those medals this year are fantastic!! Great list! I have to admit… the amount of people st the Chicago marathon actually scares me off!
Vegas is great! I hope you do get the opportunity to run it one year!
I’ve also done RnR Philly and enjoyed it as well.
That is funny what you said about Chicago because I had the EXACT same thought since this year will be your first one. I hope you are not disappointed.
I love RnR Philly because it’s not too far from where I live and the course is pretty nice too!
R’n’R Philly is on my radar (definitely NOT this year, though LOL). I”d love to do NYC and possibly Chicago (I’ve already done a a few Chicago races, so the 26.2 is not high on my to-do list…yet).I’m looking forward to R’n;R Vegas in November…that will be my first 13.1 with Voldemort 😉
You will have so much fun at RnR Vegas! Hopefully I can do RnR Philly the same year your do it 🙂
NYC has always been a bucket list marathon for me, and Chicago needs to be added to that bucket list as well! I’ll definitely have some FOMO come October. 🙂
I hope that you are able to do one, or both, of these races one day!
I too will be running RnRPhilly again this year. Its is the weekend of my 20 miler for Chicago training, so I will also be running 7 miles before the race starts. Eek!
Awesome! Can’t wait to see you there! It’s also a 20 miler for me as well!!