Continued from Part 1 and Part 2.
30. Flying Pig Marathon (Ohio)
May
Road Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Ohio has several big marathons, but Flying Pig was the first I had heard of and the most well known of the three (Glass City, Columbus). It features one of the hilliest routes for a big marathon and looks like a really cool event in Cincinnati.
When I expect to do it: Probably late 2020s/early 2030s when I have a dozen marathons under my belt and confident I could be good at hills. With a typical winning time in the high 2:20s, I'd want to be competitive at this one.
29. Paris Marathon (France)
April
Road Marathon
One of the largest, most competitive marathons in the world as well as offering a fantastic course through the iconic parts of the city, this race looks like a blast and it'd be great to race on the streets of Paris.
When I Expect to Do It: Late 2020s/Early 2030s
28. Mount Desert Island Marathon (Maine)
October
Road Marathon/Half
Bar Harbor and Acadia national park is a beautiful and unique place where the mountains meet the ocean. There aren't many races there, but this marathon starts in Bar Harbor and winds around the island with ocean scenery and 2,000' of gain before finishing in southwest harbor. Interesting opportunity to compete on scenic and very hilly park roads.
When I Expect to Do It: Mid to Late 2020s
27. Berlin Marathon (Germany)
September
Road Marathon
While a world major and likely the fastest marathon of all time (many world records set here), I just don't feel Berlin matches the prestige and excitement factor of some of the other ones. Would still be a fantastic atmosphere to compete in and likely the fastest winning time of any marathon you'll do.
When I Expect to Do It: Late 2020s/Early 2030s. Will certainly do all 6 marathon majors, but this falls behind the American ones and London on the priority list.
26. Twin Cities Marathon (Minnesota)
October
Road Marathon, 10 Mile, 5K
This is a great point to point marathon course going from Minneapolis to St Paul and featuring a lot of lake scenery. Also one of the more competitive road races in the United States with both the marathon and the 10 miler featured as U.S. championships in the past. Both really seem really nice, so I imagine this race would be a fun opportunity.
When I Expect to Do It: Potentially the 10 Mile in the next 3-5 years. Marathon probably a bit later.
25. Birkie Trailfest (Wisconsin)
September
Trail Marathon, Half, 5K
Serving as the U.S. trail half marathon championship in the past, this is a more beginner-friendly trail scene with more XC style trail racing rather than steep and difficult trails. I've enjoyed these kind of events in the past at Pinelands, Black Fly and Catamount so it'd be fun to experience what seems to be one of the best double track trail events in the country. It's also well known for being a XC ski center and hosting major championships in that sport.
When I Expect to Do It: Mid to Late 2020s
24. Crescent City Classic (Louisiana)
April
Road 10K
All iconic American cities seem to have their feature road race, and New Orleans has the Crescent City classic. A point to point 10K featuring French Quarter and finishing in City Park. It's been really competitive in the past but the 2023 results were strangely much slower. Regardless, it'd be fun to check out a classic road race and explore the culture of New Orleans.
When I Expect to Do It: I'd like to do this one in the next year or two (or three), but it's the same day as several other bucket list races. So hopefully by 2028?
23. Cooper River Bridge Run (South Carolina)
April
Road 10K
While I've raced over a handful of big bridges in road races, I don't believe I've ever done a bridge race where most of the race is on the bridge. Perhaps the most well known and competitive one is the Cooper River Bridge Run, starting in Mount Pleasant and ending downtown Charleston, a city definitely on my list to visit. Competition is usually quite good with winning times in the 28s and this would be a unique and scenic race to experience.
When I Expect to Do It: 2025?
22. Miami Marathon (Florida)
January
Road Marathon, Half, 5K
Miami is a city I like very much and this is a great race that explore more of it. The course is really cool, first running a loop over to Miami Beach on a scenic causeway then back on another bridge. No cone turnarounds in this one and quite flat overall. The heat is a bit of concern however so I may opt for the half overall the full as the second half course is not as good as the first anyway.
When I Expect to Do It: 2025. Planned for 2024 but will likely opt for another big road race in the upcoming late Winter.
21. Moab Marathon (Utah)
November
Trail Marathon and Half
This trail marathon and half features the stunning orange rock and canyon formation the area is well known for and racing through that sounds like an absolute blast. It's also a very competitive trail race, often hosting one of the distances as a USATF championship.
When I Expect to Do It: Late 2020s/Early 2030s.
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