Help me choose a fall marathon

[scm1011]

My plan for fall 2020 was to enter the lotteries for Chicago and NYC and hopefully get into one or both. I didn't get into Chicago, boo. The NYC lottery hasn't opened yet but I'm now noticing the marathon is 11/1, which would screw with Halloween plans (DS LOVES Halloween and I don't really want to miss it, or have him miss it). Plus chances of getting into NYC are slim anyway.

I'm looking for a good October/November marathon that is a) mostly flat, b) decent size with a fun atmosphere, c) preferably urban, and d) in the eastern half of the country. The other 2 marathons I've done (Baystate and Cape Cod) were smaller and I'd really like to experience a more lively marathon. I'm also open to one in western Europe, but most of those seem to have lotteries as well.

So far I'm thinking Twin Cities might be a winner, anyone want to weigh in on that one? Any other suggestions? 

[vcubergirl]

Richmond? I think it meets most of your criteria although I don't know if it's big enough for what you have in mind.

[scm1011]

Hmmm, I hadn't considered Richmond vcubergirl,...I'll look into it, thanks!

[wanderingback]

I got in to the NYC marathon the first time I entered, so you never know!

As far as size goes, I think Philadelphia half will be the largest around that time. It's usually mid Nov. Crowd support is decent running through the city and throughout different spots.
There's also the Rock n Roll half in Philly, which is in Sept.

I've never run it, but I've heard good things about Baltimore. I don't think it's a huge huge race though.

I'm like you in that I like races with a lot of people around. I'm forever spoiled after doing NYC now...I wanted more crowd support during the Chicago marathon haha. So yeah I'd probably do Philly if large size is what you're looking for. Plus Philly is a fun city for a visit.

[mrshandy]

I was going to recommend Richmond as well. Beautiful flat and fast course, fun swag, good size race (not too big or too small). Fall colors are usually in full bloom and the weather has been great in years past.

Philly is another option. I forget have you done Marine Corps Marathon? That's the end of October. Much bigger than the ones you've done.

Baltimore is in mid-October. I haven't done it, but I have friends that liked it.

[scm1011]

wanderingback, ohh Philly is a great idea. Despite spending all of my life living in either Boston or NYC I've never been there. For some reason I had it in my head that Philly was hilly, but the elevation map looks manageable. I like the late Nov timing too; less likely for a freak 80 degree day.

I'm going to enter NYC marathon too. I've been rejected twice already so many this is my year. DS can always ToT in our old neighborhood in Brooklyn with friends who still live there.

[scm1011]

mrshandy, I have not done MCM, but its on my consideration list. I'm trying to nail down one I can surely register for if NYC doesn't work out (vs. another potential lottery denial). Baltimore is def under consideration as well. It's another city I've never been to.

[mrshandy]

I think Baltimore has some decent hills so definitely take a look at that.

[wanderingback]

Dec 18, 2019 9:32:12 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

wanderingback , ohh Philly is a great idea. Despite spending all of my life living in either Boston or NYC I've never been there. For some reason I had it in my head that Philly was hilly, but the elevation map looks manageable. I like the late Nov timing too; less likely for a freak 80 degree day.

I'm going to enter NYC marathon too. I've been rejected twice already so many this is my year. DS can always ToT in our old neighborhood in Brooklyn with friends who still live there.

Nope it's not hilly at all.
I think there's 1 "big" hill and that's not even really all that bad.
It's definitely a lot less hilly than the NYC marathon haha. 

[scm1011]

Dec 18, 2019 9:52:38 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Dec 18, 2019 9:32:12 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

wanderingback , ohh Philly is a great idea. Despite spending all of my life living in either Boston or NYC I've never been there. For some reason I had it in my head that Philly was hilly, but the elevation map looks manageable. I like the late Nov timing too; less likely for a freak 80 degree day.

I'm going to enter NYC marathon too. I've been rejected twice already so many this is my year. DS can always ToT in our old neighborhood in Brooklyn with friends who still live there.

Nope it's not hilly at all.
I think there's 1 "big" hill and that's not even really all that bad.
It's definitely a lot less hilly than the NYC marathon haha. 

Ha oh I know that NYC is hilly, it's more of a bucket list race for me since I used to live on the race route (4th ave in BK). If it's not NYC I want to gun for a sub-4, so flatter is better! Looks like there is a small/moderate hill around mile 10 during Philly but then the remainder is flat. Works for me. Cape Cod nearly killed me dead with the flat first half and super hilly 2nd half. 

[jene]

I’m clearly biased, but yes, you should come run Twin Cities. It’s amazing, the crowd support is phenomenal, and I’m running the 10 mile, so we can meet up-and I’ll come back and cheer for you on the course!

[Mushe]

It doesn’t meet your time criteria, but I’d love to have you visit California and do CIM! It’s always the first weekend in December. So well supported, and we should have our guest room back so you could stay!

[clseale]

Twin cities is an awesome race! It does not meet your requirement of mostly flat, but that should not deter you. It’s a great race!

[Wines Not Whines]

How big of a race do you want? MCM is very big and not too hilly. I think it’s a fun race. You run past a lot of DC sights like the memorials and museums downtown. You start at the Pentagon and finish at Iwo Jima.

I love the Richmond marathon. It has some rolling hills, but no huge hills. I prefer some variety in terrain and I think it’s perfect. The weather is usually nice and cool. It’s not a huge race like Chicago, NYC, or MCM, but it’s a good size. There are always plenty of other runners on the course if you’re a mid pack runner.

Baltimore is also fun, and fairly large, but hilly AF.

[scm1011]

Mushe, that is the sweetest offer! I don't mind the early December timing, but Cali is a bit of a haul. That said, a good friend just ran it a few weeks and had a great experience so I'm def intrigued!

jene, if I end up doing Twin Cities I would love to connect!

[scm1011]

Dec 18, 2019 18:32:23 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

How big of a race do you want? MCM is very big and not too hilly. I think it’s a fun race. You run past a lot of DC sights like the memorials and museums downtown. You start at the Pentagon and finish at Iwo Jima.

I love the Richmond marathon. It has some rolling hills, but no huge hills. I prefer some variety in terrain and I think it’s perfect. The weather is usually nice and cool. It’s not a huge race like Chicago, NYC, or MCM, but it’s a good size. There are always plenty of other runners on the course if you’re a mid pack runner.

Baltimore is also fun, and fairly large, but hilly AF.

If MCM wasn't another lottery it'd probably be the winner. I've heard nothing but great things. 
Scratch Baltimore, I am def not looking for hilly AF!

[vcubergirl]

I know of a charity group that has spots for MCM, I think the fundraising minimum is $500

[mrshandy]

scm1011, the odds for the lottery for MCM are usually pretty good and you can always buy a bib to transfer later on. Lots of people will sell them for cheaper than they paid just to offload them. Bottom line if you want to run MCM, you can.

[jene]

scm1011, will you be solo or bringing the family with you?

[hurricanedrunk]

This thread is perfect timing. I may also be looking for a fall marathon. My A race will be New York but I haven't gotten in the last 3 years so I'm not overly optimistic and looking at alternatives.

I ran Twin Cities last year - Pros- awesome crow support, organized very well (I stayed at the start line and they had buses going back afterwords and buses for the start if you stay near the finish, plus your bib is a free ticket to the light rail that day), the tracking app worked!, weather was awesome - obviously situational, and the course was very pretty. Cons - It was hilly - rolling in the front part and horrible in the last 6 miles.

Another option to consider is Indianapolis in early November - very flat and pretty course. No lottery but I think it sells out.

[Wines Not Whines]

Dec 19, 2019 8:44:53 GMT -5 scm1011 said:

Dec 18, 2019 18:32:23 GMT -5 Wines Not Whines said:

How big of a race do you want? MCM is very big and not too hilly. I think it’s a fun race. You run past a lot of DC sights like the memorials and museums downtown. You start at the Pentagon and finish at Iwo Jima.

I love the Richmond marathon. It has some rolling hills, but no huge hills. I prefer some variety in terrain and I think it’s perfect. The weather is usually nice and cool. It’s not a huge race like Chicago, NYC, or MCM, but it’s a good size. There are always plenty of other runners on the course if you’re a mid pack runner.

Baltimore is also fun, and fairly large, but hilly AF.

If MCM wasn't another lottery it'd probably be the winner. I've heard nothing but great things. 
Scratch Baltimore, I am def not looking for hilly AF!

I think the MCM lottery is much easier to get into than NYC and Chicago. You should enter it!

[al320]

Mohawk Hudson Rivers! Totally flat (one tiny hill), beautiful course, easy logistics, great weather. Its my PR course. It goes from schenectady to albany.

[osulori]

Is Ohio eastern enough? If so, Columbus is mid October! Pretty flat, definitely urban, and good crowd support.

[wambam]

Indianapolis fits this bill. It is well organized, flat AF, and I thought it was really fun.

[gt7301b]

Another Richmond vote, I've done either the half or full the last 5 years!

[melmel48]

Philly was so much fun. I don't know much about it, but the Clarence De Mar Marathon in Keene has always been recommended to me.

[campermom]

Richmond! I don’t think I would ever do the Baltimore full due to the hills.

[atlas]

Twin Cities is a fantastic race. I did it back in 08 and had so much fun. The crowd support is really really great.

I ran Omaha in 2012 and really loved it. I didn't think it was all that hilly of a course and apparently they made it flatter and faster in 2013. My mom and I were in Omaha for less than 26 hours but had so much fun. We would have loved to have another night there, but the timing didn't work out.

[brooke77]

RnR Montreal? I haven’t run it, but we were up there for one race weekend and it looked amazing. Perfect weather, flat course, lots of crowd support.

[thom]

I’d also LOVE to see you come to the Twin Cities!! I always try to make it down for some part of marathon weekend if the farm/harvest craziness cooperates. You may remember that I ran Twin Cities when G was about 18 months, and my training and pre-race prep was... much less than awesome. I also live and train on mostly flat roads. That said, I had a good experience on the course, suffered just a little on the hills, and would have negative split if not for a port-a-potty stop. So, there’s my .02.

AND, this also reminds me that I need to decide whether to opt out of the NYC lottery. I signed up for the lottery the day after the marathon for one of the special first 50 entries. Spoiler: and didn’t get it. But, I think I’m in the lottery unless I cancel it. NYC is totally a dream for me, but I don’t know if this would actually be a good year. I also had the exact same thoughts about being sad to miss Halloween. And I’m also pretty sure I shouldn’t/won’t do a full in 2020 anyway. I’ll be excited to see what you decide!