best spring OTQ marathons?

Virginia Beach

Precious Roy wrote:

Vermont City is a great race, but not a fast course. There are a couple of decent sized hills over the first 16 miles, including one pretty nasty climb @ mi 15 or so. The good news is that the last 5-6 miles are on a slight downhill on a straight bike path along the lake.

Those of you who suggested Vermont City - Thank You!!! We're trying hard to bump up the depth and quality in our Invited Runner field. Had 8 sub 2:30 this year. IMO the description above is somewhat overstated but you are certainly entitled to your opinion. The "pretty nasty climb" is +80' over 4 city blocks, and starts at the 15 mile mark. It comes after 3 miles of flat running along the lake, and when you get to the top you have over a mile flat into a 1/4 mile long dip/rise of 30', then more flat running until a big downhill at 21.5. The last 4.5 are as described above, lakeside bikepath.

For me, this race was a 4 minute pr.

VCM is not sold out for 2011 by any means. And we do handle Invited Runner requests outside the regular entry process, so if you're a sub 2:30 male or sub 3:00 female looking to run a competitive marathon next spring drop us a line.

Ottawa Marathon!

Looks like Green Bay is pretty good. Anyone know anything about it as I and a buddy are planning on making our attempt there.

This is a little late, but I really like Green Bay. With a mid-May date, the weather should be pretty good. Probably in the 50's. The course is nice. No hills to speak of, mostly on residential streets. Mile 16-22 is on paved bike path by the river. The organization is good, too...something I no longer take for granted.

Boston is a very good option. While it is already full they do not turn away bandits. As long as you accurately track your time and have it notarized by a race official I believe the Olympic marathon committee is legally bound to accept your entry.

Good Luck homey!!!

I'm telling you guys - check out Pikes Peak Marathon -the course is so fast on the 2nd half as it's all steep downhill!

just another guy wrote:

Boston is a very good option. While it is already full they do not turn away bandits. As long as you accurately track your time and have it notarized by a race official I believe the Olympic marathon committee is legally bound to accept your entry.

Good Luck homey!!!

Sub-elites/elites can still get in, probably until ~Jan./Feb..

Fred Savage wrote:

Virginia Beach

2nd this, its nice and flat - 100% flat, and in late march the weather will prob be pretty good there

What about Pittsburgh? How is that race/course?

how about waiting until mid June and doing Grandmas up in Duluth,MN?

that is number 1 on my list right now.

technically is still spring.

Rock 'n' roll San Diego in June

1998 wrote:

how about waiting until mid June and doing Grandmas up in Duluth,MN?

that is number 1 on my list right now.

technically is still spring.

I do think Grandmas looks good, at least on paper, but has had a run of bad weather (warm, windy) the last few years. Perhaps they are due for a good year.

I ran the Pittsburgh marathon last spring and had an awesome experience. The course was pretty fast and an awesome tour of the city. Crowd support was great considering it was rainy and a can of ravioli in a microwave on the side of the road was mistaken for a bomb, causing the last part of the course to be diverted. The first half of the race is totally flat with the exception of a few bridge crossings, which are so minor they really can't be considered hills. The climb into Oakland after the half killed me, but that was due to a lack of fitness more than the hill being overly long or steep. I think it's a 200 ft climb over a mile or so -- pretty gradual. After that, it's mostly flat to 20 and downhill the last 10k. You can absolutely fly that last 6 miles if you're fit enough that your legs still have something left.