I need a road race bucket list

For AZ I’d check out Sedona marathon and half, Flagstaff marathon, Gaspin in the Aspens (flagstaff as well), Prescott Marathon.

What initially made it confusing is that you listed California as a state you have done but then said you are currently looking for a race in California.

Nevada:

http://ascentruns.com/events/tahoe-fall-classic/

Idiots Out Wandering Around wrote:

Iowa - Bix 7

Hilly 7 mile race on the last Saturday in July. Attracts 10-15k runners with a decent elite field.

Bix is great! Living History Farms Cross Country is another favorite of mine. If you're set on sticking to full or half marathons, the Quad Cities Marathon is a lot of fun.

If you’re looking for a race in Florida, Disney World puts on some great races!

I didn’t read all the responses, but how did you leave Colorado off your list? Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge: mind bogglingly gorgeous plus great weather.

Taroko Gorge Marathon

Hualien, Taiwan

anon_hobby_jogger wrote:

The bucket race marathon for California is the Big Sur Marathon. They have shorter distances that are easier to get into that is just as scenic.

+1. One of the all time greatest scenery in a half marathon or marathon. If OP is looking for scenic races, this one clearly belongs on the short list. Its a tough course, very hilly, you wont be setting any PRs here.

If looking for a post race party, Bay to Breakers is second to none. Hundreds of thousands of people will be partying if you walk back to roughly midway, where the police stopped all the partiers/walkers. The police stick around to make sure it stays tame enough while people ignore the open container laws and public nudity laws. The end of the party towards the finish line remains more family friendly. If you cant get a bib because they're sold out, just run it anyway. They have a team competition if you can get some friends to join you and you sign up in time.

If you're looking for history, dipsea is an obvious one, since it is the oldest trail race in the US.

RealCici wrote:

What initially made it confusing is that you listed California as a state you have done but then said you are currently looking for a race in California.

Nevada:

http://ascentruns.com/events/tahoe-fall-classic/

The original race I ran in California was some tiny little 10k, so I'd like to run a race with a little more excitement to it. I was just wondering what good races there were.

Runderlust wrote:

So far I have:

California

Illinois

Indiana

Kansas

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nevada

Ohio

Utah

Wisconsin

Just to clear things up here, these are the states I have completed. I'm also interested in doing a more prestigious race in California to replace my lame 10k I ran through Golden Gate Park, however.

There are some good small marathons/halfs in WA that are well organized. I'm thinking of doing the Yakima River Canyon Marathon next March. There's a Tunnel Marathon series (several per year) which run several miles through a train tunnel and also have 2000' elevation drop. Western WA would be a good place for a summer race because the weather is better suited for running than the rest of the country at that time.

For NY, I'd recommend the Shelter Island 10K, in June. Beautiful course on a beautiful island off of eastern Long Island.

If you want the city, try the NYC Half Marathon in March or the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half in January. Both are NY Road Runners Club races. The Lebow race is entirely within Central Park, while the NYC Half is part roads, part park.

johnny99 wrote:

For NY, I'd recommend the Shelter Island 10K, in June. Beautiful course on a beautiful island off of eastern Long Island.

If you want the city, try the NYC Half Marathon in March or the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half in January. Both are NY Road Runners Club races. The Lebow race is entirely within Central Park, while the NYC Half is part roads, part park.

New York seems to have a ton of great options. I'd probably want to be relatively close to the city because if I go out that way I feel like I have to at least see the city.

running commenter wrote:

Coloradoran wrote:

Wyoming: Pilot Hill 25k in Laramie. It's a runnable trail race. Oldest foot race in Wyoming. Started as a way for U Wyoming runners to kick off their summer training. I saw elk and antelope along the route.

Do you know what time of year it is around? That sounds like an awesome experience.

The race is in early June.

running commenter wrote:

johnny99 wrote:

For NY, I'd recommend the Shelter Island 10K, in June. Beautiful course on a beautiful island off of eastern Long Island.

If you want the city, try the NYC Half Marathon in March or the Fred Lebow Manhattan Half in January. Both are NY Road Runners Club races. The Lebow race is entirely within Central Park, while the NYC Half is part roads, part park.

New York seems to have a ton of great options. I'd probably want to be relatively close to the city because if I go out that way I feel like I have to at least see the city.

I may be a bit biased, but if you're a runner than running in Central Park should be on your bucket list.

New York - Corning Wineglass Marathon. Utica Boilermaker 15k

Pennsylvania - Pittsburgh Great Race 10k - September. End of the Road Marathon and Half Marathon (way off the beaten path, runs through a mile long abandoned tunnel) - October

Maryland - Great Alleghany Run 15k - October. Any of the races by Altis Endurance.

West Virginia - Charleston Distance Run 15mi - around Labor Day

Virginia - Virginia Ten Miler in Lynchburg, late September.

Florida - Gate River Run 15k (already mentioned). Also, Mandarin Run 10k.

Yonkers Marathon (New York)

Honolulu Marathon (Hawaii)

I think the Vegas half is amazing. Right down the strip, turn around and come back. The crowd is electric the entire way. They run it at night.

Much better than the older version run in the morning and coming back behind the casinos.

Highly reccomend!

Turkey Trot in every state!

steeplebeast wrote:

I think the Vegas half is amazing. Right down the strip, turn around and come back. The crowd is electric the entire way. They run it at night.

Much better than the older version run in the morning and coming back behind the casinos.

Highly reccomend!

+1. The full sucks though, stick with the half.