Hey party people! Happy Friday!!
Iām participating in the Friday Five link up with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!.
Today I’m discussing my five favorite races (so far). I say “so far” because I’m sure this list will change as I run different races throughout the next few years.
Let the coundown begin!
5. Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago 5K/Half Marathon
I did this race last year, and despite the weather, I loved it! It was also my first time visiting the city and it’s an amazing city with tons to do and see. There were some logistical things that could have been better for both races, but overall I would say it’s a nice race to do. I liked it so much that I’m going back in July and I can’t wait!
This race is so special to me. It’s local (takes place in my city) and it helps raise funds for a local hospital. At first, I only participated in the walk (they have a run and walk option). During my second year of walking I told my mom that I was going to run the race the next year, and I did! This was my first timed 5K race. When they started to offer the 10K option, I moved up and completed that race. I’ve been doing this race for the past 5 years. I’m actually pretty bummed that I’m going to be missing the race this year, but I have a good excuse (I’ll be doing the Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Remix Challenge)!
3. Runner’s World Half Marathon and Festival
I participated in the Hat Trick last year (5K, 10K and Half Marathon) last year and it was FUN!! Sure, the courses aren’t exactly flat so the half marathon was a little difficult for me, but the whole weekend is awesome. The races are VERY well organized and they all pretty much start and end in the same place (there’s a different start for the half marathon). They also offer a small expo, running seminars and a pasta dinner. but most importantly, you’ll get a chance to see Bart Yasso! Sadly I will not be back this year as the festival is just a few weeks before the NYC Marathon and I didn’t want to run #alltheraces so close to the Marathon.
2. NYRR Dash to the Finish Line 5K
This race is AWESOME!! I ran this race in 2014 and I think I smiled for the entire 3.1 miles. You get to run down 6th Avenue and you finish in Central Park. The finish line is so special because it’s the same finish line that is used for the NYC Marathon the next day! Yes, this 5K race takes place the day before the NYC Marathon, so it’s a great, and fun, shakeout run so to speak. I’ll be running it this year and I’m already excited about it š
1. Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon
Runners celebrate their finish in the Airbnb Brooklyn Half, Coney Island, on May 16, 2015. (Courtesy NYRR)
If you only run ONE half marathon, it needs to be the Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon. I have never seen a race with so much crowd support – it’s bananas! Also the spectators give out awesome treats, like Hershey’s Kisses. The race is extremely well organized and the finish line is Coney Island. Yes, Coney Island – you just can’t beat that! Also I think this is currently the largest half marathon in the world so why wouldn’t you want to get in on the action! You have to be quick when signing up for this race as it sold out in under an hour this year!
Those are my top 5! What are your favorite races?
Great list! I definitely want to do the RW fest one year. It’s a hard choice for me because it’s the same weekend as another favorite of mine, the Batimore Running Festival! I’d like to be crazy and get the guts to do the Baltimore 13.1 on Saturday and the RW 13.1 on Sunday!
Yes, the RW races always seems to fall on the same weekend as many other popular races!I actually want to run the Baltimore Running Festival. If you did both in the same weekend you would be a rockstar!
It sold out in under an hour?! WOW! This might be a bucket list race for me!
I definitely want to make it to the RW festival sometime. Maybe in the next few years when my little people are older and they can run with me. š
Yeah the Brooklyn Half is so popular that it sells out faster and faster every year! That would be so fun if you could do the RW races with your kids – they have a kids race as well!
One day I will do the Runners World Weekend. It just needs to not be scheduled when I have important things going on! I really want to do the NYC half some day, and Boston, obviously.
MCM and Twin Cities are 2 of my favorite races (and they are marathons). They were incredible.
I’ve heard great things about MCM – challenging but fun course. I highly recommend Runner’s World and I know you will go to Boston one day!!
My post is basically the same topic today! I ran the Runner’s World 10k a few years ago and had so much fun, even though those hills were nuts. It’s my goal to do the hat trick someday!
Totally agree – those hills were rough but I felt like a total rockstar once it was over, lol
Very soon it will be Rock n Roll SD as #1!
I’m sure RnR SD will be #1 on my list after June š
Those all sound great! I think it would be fun to do the Hat Trick race! I have yet to do a race that has you running so many races in a weekend.
It was definitely a challenge but also so rewarding and so much fun. I highly recommend it!
I love Rock n Roll races. I have never been to Chicago so that one is on my list.
You’ll love Chicago! I hope that you will be able to do that race one year.
I live in France and we have some great races too. There are many in and around Paris all year long. However, the one I want to do is the Disney half marathon in September, but I will need to wait a year as my niece is getting married that day !
I’ve heard that the Disney Half Marathon is SO much fun! You are so lucky to live in France – I imagine all the races in Paris are simply amazing!!
What a great list of races! So I totally registered for RnR Chicago but now I can’t go š I LOVE Chicago- it is my favorite city and I am so disappointed. Hopefully next year!
Oh I’m sorry that you can’t run RnR Chicago š It would have been great to finally meet in person! Like you said, maybe next year!
The Runner’s World Hat Trick is on my bucket list! I can’t wait to run it! š
It’s such a great overall weekend full of tons of races and running knowledge – I totally recommend it!
I always prefer a smaller race. Once a race gets more than 2500 it seems WAAAAAY too crowded for me. Local races are my jam!
I like both bigger and smaller races, but I do tend to have way more anxiety with the larger races!