Fall marathons 2021

[scm1011]

Who is planning to run a fall marathon? Which race are you targeting?

I'd really like to run a fall marathon (not virtual), but details / open registrations are understandably spotty right now. I was all set to pull the trigger on Twin Cities, but its sold out. Womp womp. My criteria is a bigger/urban marathon (both of my prior marathons have been smaller with little crowd support - Cape Cod & Baystate), somewhere I could presumably travel to over a long weekend from Boston (so west coast is out), not hilly, and has a shorter race option for DH (half or 10k). 

Races that fit the bill, but I know little about. Any thoughts/experience?

Detroit (open reg)
Nashville (open reg)
Philadelphia (would be super interested, but reg not open yet)

[Wines Not Whines]

Of the races you listed, I think Nashville has the best chance of happening. I’m not sure if big races with 10k+ people will be able to happen this fall, especially in states that have been more restrictive. TN seems like a safer bet.

I’m eyeing Richmond and crossing my fingers it will happen. I may also do an earlier race in October.

[mrshandy]

Hello everyone! Long time no see.

I'm signed up for my first trail marathon. Odyssey Trail raceroster.com/events/2021/37125/2021-odyssey-trail-running-rampage-presented-by-the-county-of-bath

I'm strongly considering signing up for the Baltimore Marathon. But will hold off for a little while.

I did a great in-person marathon a few weeks ago at Blue Ridge Marathon so I'm hopeful that in person races will be happening in the Fall.

[scm1011]

mrshandy, Baltimore would totally be in the running for me if it wasn't Boston Marathon weekend, too. I really want to be here for that; Marathon Monday is one of my favorite days of the year. Congrats on the recent 26.2 and signing up for your first trail marathon!

Wines Not Whines, good thought there. I've also never been to Nashville and would love to see the city, so that might be the winner.

Good to "see" you both back here - maybe we can start up a Marathon Monday check-in when the time comes

[jene]

scm1011, I would have encouraged you to wait on TC. It’s going to be minimal spectators this year. Part of the appeal of that race is the fact that the majority of the course is supported. Come run it in a couple of years

[scm1011]

jene, good call! TC is def on my bucket list, and I should wait until I can have the full experience

[Susie]

I'm eyeing Mohawk Hudson half in October in Albany. I certainly won't be up to full distance, but they have it. I've had both Moderna shots myself now, but I'm not sure I'd want to add the flight variable to any race plans in 2021. It all just feels so tenuous right now.

[keweenawlove]

I'm not sure if the Detroit marathon has a backup plan but the typical route for that one goes into Canada so I'd be a little nervous on the logistics of the one happening.

[G22]

I'm signed up for Mount Desert Island half in October up in Maine!

[katyintx]

Aww that stinks about TC being sold out. That’s the one I’m signed up for. While they say there’s going to be minimal spectators, I’m still hoping that will change with more vaccinations.

I hope you find one, AND I hope we can start up a Marathon Monday check-in again! I loved the support I got from this board in the past while marathon training. Irl friends just don’t understand...

[katyintx]

Oh, and as for what race to do, I think Nashville would be fun. It’s a very fun city with a ton to do, and I have a strong feeling it’ll happen. When we were in TN in March they were definitely more lax as a state with their Covid restrictions, but in Nashville I felt pretty safe and mask compliance (from what I saw) was high.

I would suggest Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon to send Wisconsin some love, but I don’t know if they have a shorter race.

[scm1011]

katyintx I’ll do the Monday check in even if it’s just me and you! Ha
I briefly considered Lakefront, but I used to spend a lot of time in MKE for work and I’m really looking for a place I’d be more excited to go (not a diss on the city at all, it’s great, I’ve just been there 100 times).

Montreal opened up and that’s a consideration too, but a late September race time isn’t as appealing for me. I’ll prob end up doing Nashville. MDI is on my bucket list too, but I don’t think this is the year for me.

[G22]

I want to do the MDI full someday, but I'm not going to be in full shape by fall. My goal is to have my next full be sometime next year (I'm eyeing a fall one in Hawaii!). But my mom and siblings and I have been trying to get together to do MDI together for several years, and it finally is coming together for us to do it this year. So I'm settling for the half for now.

If I remember right, Nashville is pretty hilly so be just be prepared! I did the RNR course and it was super hilly, but my mom ran the fall Nashville one and I'm pretty sure she said that one was as well.

[melmel48]

I did Philly a few years ago. I really liked it! The only part I did not like was that at around the half way mark, you can see the finish line. Lol. The good part about that though was that as I was running, I could see all of the runners heading towards the finish and that gave me motivation to keep going. Since you know me IRL, you know I am a back of the packer!

It was VERY windy though; I had a hard time fighting through the wind in some areas. The crowd support was super, although I am sure things will be different now. 

[gt7301b]

I'd actually be shocked if Nashville doesn't happen.  My parents live outside of Nashville and they say even with the mask mandates in place things have been pretty much normal for most of this year.

I've done Philly and I don't really have strong feelings about it like I do other races.

I am signed up for Boston, but I doubt I will get in.  If I don't I am pretty sure I will race Richmond in some form, just haven't decide if I will do the full or the half.  It is a size that makes me pretty confident that it will happen.

[al320]

They moved NJ to October, and theres also a half. Its along the beach and through neighboring beach towns. Its not a big urban race, but its not small and is pancake flat.

[Mushe]

How fun! I decided in the last week to run the Ventura marathon (🤞I can get in, as registration isn’t open yet) because one of my run buddies got into Boston, and I’d love to train with her. Ventura is just two weeks later.

I was able to get shot #2 this week, and I feel ready to roll!

scm1011, I hope you do start a marathon Monday series!

[stephm0188]

I'm doing the Air Force half in September and feel confident that it'll happen following the success of Toledo's recent weekend. I did that one as well and felt like they did a great job keeping it COVID safe.


I'm still holding out the slightest bit of hope that WDW will hold marathon weekend in January. 2021 was supposed to be my first marathon there. runDisney has been pretty quiet and the traditional registration day has come and gone, so it's not looking good.