Best spring marathons to OTQ

OTQ Hopeful wrote:

- London. It's net downhill and point to point - was it grandfathered in like Boston and CIM?

London is a record legal course and I'm shocked that you wouldn't know that.

Boston and CIM are not "grandfathered in" technically speaking. They are OTQ legal courses under the rules as would any new course with similar dimensions.

You can't possibly get into London at this point.

London? wrote:

You can't possibly get into London at this point.

If he's hoping to run an OTQ he might be able to talk to the race director?

I was going to recommend LA but I'm shocked to see how far it's fallen. Wow. Nevermind.

In the US, Boston is probably the best option from what I've gathered. Thinking I might try to OTQ there this spring (need to figure out how to get in). Ottawa is another solid option and a ton of good European options if you're up for the travel.

not even a running nerd wrote:

OTQ Hopeful wrote:

- London. It's net downhill and point to point - was it grandfathered in like Boston and CIM?

London is a record legal course and I'm shocked that you wouldn't know that.

Boston and CIM are not "grandfathered in" technically speaking. They are OTQ legal courses under the rules as would any new course with similar dimensions.

Someone told me that a course wasn't allowed to be point to point other than those grandfathered in, though it seems like that isn't true.

Wineglass and Toronto Waterfront are in the fall. Maybe a spring European race like Rotterdam, Paris or Hamburg?

1. Tokyo

2. Lake Biwa

3. Beppu-Oita

4. Rotterdam

5. Nagano

Prague also an option, or should be.

There is also a slight workaround to get into London if you're actually serious about running it.

In North America, if Houstom is too early, Grandma's and Ottawa are probably your best bets. Grandma's will have more depth than Ottawa. Really seems to be a lack of fast marathons in North America in the spring as compared to the fall. Might be a good idea to look at Europe for more depth and options.

If you are willing to travel overseas to London, it might also be worth considering Rotterdam or Paris. Both are very flat with few turns.

I have run both Grandma's and Ottawa. Both are good marathons.

Grandma's is point-to-point and has a small (not noticeable) net elevation loss . Generally, the weather is favorable (50s in mid-June) but every once in a while it is hot and humid.

Ottawa is a loop course that is pretty flat. My understanding is that the weather is usually in the low-60s - so, warmer than ideal.

You will have more people to run with at Grandma's and four more weeks to train.

Why is it called Grandma’s Marathon?

LoneStarXC wrote:

Why is it called Grandma’s Marathon?

Use the Internet. How did you get into college?

Ackley wrote:

You will have more people to run with at Grandma's and four more weeks to train.

To play devil's advocate on the last part - that leaves 4 fewer weeks to train for something like CIM if someone wants to take another shot.

vivalarepublica wrote:

LoneStarXC wrote:

Why is it called Grandma’s Marathon?

Use the Internet. How did you get into college?

https://grandmasmarathon.com/history/

Alexa: How do I get into college?

Ottawa is a very good choice. It is very flat with some sections of slightly rolling terrain. The field is very strong with about a dozen runners running 2:20 or faster. US qualifiers have not put it on their list, which is a bit surprising.

Eugene marathon has a few decent hills early in the race, but is relatively flat and slightly rolling most of the way. In theory, this should be a good race for trialists, but the weather is often way too hot.

Vermont City is very hilly, but the last few miles are on an asphalt bike trail on a slight downhill to the finish. The weather is pretty unpredictable. But there is usually a pack at the front shooting for 2:18ish for the win.

Grandma's is on almost the longest day of the year. Early start to beat the heat. Meaning a real early wake up call.

The weather has been getting iffy over the last 20 years.

If it's cool with the wind off the lake it can be very fast.

Last year Kellyn Taylor ran 2:24:28 for US #7.

If it's hot or if the wind is in your face you are screwed.

Don't pick the last race in your list of options.

Pick an earlier one so that if the weather gods hate you,

you can use it as a training run for a few miles then

drop out and target the backup marathon.

stateroftheoblivious wrote:

Grandma's is on almost the longest day of the year. Early start to beat the heat. Meaning a real early wake up call.

The weather has been getting iffy over the last 20 years.

If it's cool with the wind off the lake it can be very fast.

Last year Kellyn Taylor ran 2:24:28 for US #7.

If it's hot or if the wind is in your face you are screwed.

Don't pick the last race in your list of options.

Pick an earlier one so that if the weather gods hate you,

you can use it as a training run for a few miles then

drop out and target the backup marathon.

The problem with Grandma's as a backup option is the travel and lodging is expensive AF if you decide to sign up late. Not exactly a boatload of rooms in the Duluth area.