Can anyone suggest a fast April/May Marathon with a relatively large number of runners in the 2:20=2:25 range?
I was thinking about Eugene...but it looks pretty thin at the top end.
Can anyone suggest a fast April/May Marathon with a relatively large number of runners in the 2:20=2:25 range?
I was thinking about Eugene...but it looks pretty thin at the top end.
I ran Green Bay this spring. It didn't have a ton of 2:20-2:25 guys, but it was still fairly competitive and the course is pretty fast
The answer seems easy (Boston) if you are looking for April or May? You won't find more runners in that range in the Spring anywhere except maybe London.
Other than that I enjoyed Bayshore in Michigan and it is fast but not too many guys that fast. Really there probably is only 3-5 in the US that have many in that range: Boston, Chicago, NYC, probably forgetting one.
There are tons of fall marathons in that range. For the spring it is pretty sparse pickings in the USA.
In Europe there are tons. Besides London you have Rome, Paris, Rotterdam, and others too.
Green Bay was nice and fast this past year. There were some Kenyans to chase down and the temperature was in the 40's and 50's.
I heard Run for the Red, Pocono Marathon is very fast, with lots of downhill...but pretty sure not too many of the fast guys there.
there are about five-seven marathons max in the U.S each year where you'll consistently find a large to moderate number of guys running in that range.
i don't think you need anyone to point out the names of those races to you if you're capable of running in that range.
However, if you're talking international, I have no idea...sorry.
Ottawa
Off the Grid wrote: OttawaWhile not super slow, it is also not super fast. First half is rolling. Second half is often windy. Good chance of bad (hot) weather. Great organization, nice city, but you'll be lonely at 2:25.
Vermont City
The LA marathon was in May this past year, but I think they may be moving it back to March?
It always has a moderate number of people in that range.
Belgian Waffle wrote:
Vermont City
Second the motion. There was a good pack of about 6-7 guys shooting for 2:20-25. There is something like $3,500 for first place. So, they get some decent regional elites. The course has a few climbs on the first 16 mi, but the last 6 mi are flat and slightly down hill.
Rock n Roll San Diego is another possibility. But you would really be running with the elite women and maybe some stragglers from the elite men's field.
The fastest fields for US marathons are mostly in the fall, save Boston. If you don't want to go to Europe, Vermont City might be the best you can do.
LA, San Diego and Vermont are NOT fast courses at all. You are better off waiting a month and doing Grandma's in June.
How about the Vermont City? 2:20-2:25 will put you in the top 5 and you'll be with a pack, and you'll get some $$.
We have a fast local 10k marathon that may be to your liking.