Need a Marathon to Run

[katluvr]

IMO I would find a "smaller" marathon. The really large ones (like Disney) sometimes require long pre-race time. Althougth they are fun, navigating large crowds, getting to race start, corals, and worrying about pre-race fueling and bathrooms (so much time spent in pre-race area). The marathon I am doing I have done the 1/2, so I knew a lot about the logistics. So if you know someone that has done one, or you can visit it on race day--that may be good. For me I wanted to take a much of the unknown out of it as possible. And it should be fun....I am sure I'll be stressed out enough!

[teigyr]

Try marathonmaniacs (marathonmaniacs.com), there is a pretty comprehensive race calendar there.

It's all in what you want. I've run larger races and smaller ones and I think I like the smaller ones. It isn't logistics for me...it's more about the fact I don't need a ton of cheering and flair. Portland is the exception. It's run a lot like a small town race but it has a ton of music and support by the local people. RnR for me was a waste. It was over priced and didn't offer anything more than a smaller race could.

Also, where do you want to visit?

In 2010 I am running a small marathon (+/- 25 people for the full), North Olympic Discovery Marathon (http://www.nodm.com), Portland, and maybe CIM. The NODM course looks stunning and the race is small. Portland is Portland and I love that race. I'd run CIM just to go for time. The small one will be with friends and being able to say "hi" on the out & backs and eating with them after is most fun of all.

[hoffsquared]

Might think about the Marine Corps Marathon (also known as The People's Marathon).

It is big with lots of people to navigate BUT running past the big cheering crowds, the monuments, the Capitol, the Archives, the Potomac river, etc more than make up for the extra company.

Plus you get a really nice long-sleeve embroidered tee and a big expo.

[Aggie_Ama]

Small or medium size sounds good to me, personally. We don't know where we want to go but here is where we have been together so preferably not one of these states:

Washington
California
Nevada
Texas (duh)
New Mexico
Florida
Tennessee (Memphis)
Arkansas
Louisiana

We have passed through Mississippi and Alabama but never really been there so they are okay. Neither of us has been east or north, so we might consider that. Really we want somewhere pretty we haven't been. DH liked the idea of VA, RI and Maine but isn't sure he has heard "the one".

[tulip]

DH liked the idea of VA, RI and Maine but isn't sure he has heard "the one".

You have many years and many marathons ahead of you. There is not just The One...why not do one in a different place every year (or a half marathon)?

[teigyr]

This is your first one, right?

I put great thought into The One when I did it. It didn't turn out to be the Only One but I'm glad I picked something meaningful.

[Trek420]

this one's on my birthday.

Too bad I'm going to be away http://www.oaklandmarathon.com/Home_Page.htm

Too bad it's gonna be hard (the route looks like all uphill )

Even riding that route is tough http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=14555

[SadieKate]

Can't find much prettier country than the west side of the Tetons (and mostly downhill).

http://mesafallsmarathon.com/race_information.php

[azfiddle]

Well, I don't know how ambitious you are, but my husband just alerted me to a new half & full marathon on Mt. Lemmon (Tucson, AZ) area (where Lance & the Radio Shack riders were training recently). October 17.

It sounds - um- challenging- with 6000 feet of vertical climb - running UP the mountain. If you want to know more- here's the website.
http://www.mountlemmonmarathon.com/