Would you rather win a smaller marathon, maybe pickup a gift certificate to the local Applebees for your efforts. Or finish in the top 100 of a Major?
Both are obviously rather meaningless, but hey, what else do we have to shoot for.
Would you rather win a smaller marathon, maybe pickup a gift certificate to the local Applebees for your efforts. Or finish in the top 100 of a Major?
Both are obviously rather meaningless, but hey, what else do we have to shoot for.
Depends. I've had some nice payouts with smaller races ($500-1000) but when factoring in the perks and sense of accomplishment at the bigger ones (Chicago, New York, etc) it's almost a push for both. If the question is more about running a fast time, by all means the larger race. Most small town marathons don't have more than a few guys under 2:30, if any.
Small:
+ Comped entry (depending on the race)
+ Potential prize money
+ Ease of parking and possible race-day packet pickup
+ It's much easier to "race" for 3rd place vs 4th than race for 132nd place vs 133rd.
+ More unique (and fun) courses
+ Lots of options for dates and locations
+ Less stress
+ Can register often until the week of
- Small crowd support
- Can be unorganized
- Limited after-race recovery/refreshments
- Huge gaps between runners (One guy could be a 2:25 guy, the next a 2:29, 2:32, 2:35), so it could be lonely
- Courses can suck and or be confusing
- Not always enough volunteers, so you could miss a turn
- Aid stations could be every 3-4 miles
Large:
+ Great crowd support
+ Tons of people to run with
+ Lots of volunteers and aid stations
+ May qualify for sub-elite and get separate corral / gear check
+ Great post-race parties
- Expensive (Assume that a 2:3x guy isn't getting comped)
- You need to register half a year + in advance
- Huge Expo the days before can mean a separate trip into the City
- Must get there early to park or take public transportation
- Easy to get lost in a pack
Overall, I've done both large (Chicago & Boston) and Small (Quad Cities, Fox Valley & Rockford). I'm actually doing a mid-sized marathon this fall (Indianapolis Monumental)and feel like that will be the best bet.
I won $300 for 2nd place 2:34 and have been top 50 at Chicago almost 10 minutes faster. It is certainly a different experience having people next to you at a Chicago, NYC, whatever.
If you really want to nail a PR, I'd go big city. If you are going with friends or family to run, maybe do a smaller one. Logistically, the monster ones can be pretty stressful and expensive with a bigger group.
illinoisphotographer wrote:Small (Quad Cities, Fox Valley & Rockford).
probalby splitting hairs, but only Rockford among those is a small marathon (adding the Half and 10k from last year, it becomes a solidly mid-sized race).
The answer to the OP would be do both! Run the small idiosyncratic races for fun (or to win!) and do the mega races for time & place goals and/or bragging rights.
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