Continued from Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
20. Breakneck Point Trail Marathon (New York)
May
Trail Marathon, Half Marathon
New York state has a lot of phenomenal trail racing, but this one takes the cake for the most challenging and most competitive trail race in the state. Both the half and full marathons are brutal with approximately 4,000' and 8,000' elevation gain each on very technical trails in the scenic Hudson Highlands region. I've had this one on my list for a while, but haven't committed to due to how brutal it is and likely being very underprepared. It's become a big event in the last few years, hosting both USATF championships and world qualifying races as well as Golden Trail Series USA events. While it's still on my list, I'm not sure if the brutal events like this are really for me as it's certainly not a strong point for my skills. Additionally the last two years many people have gone off course at this event and it's suffered from people pulling up flags which unfortunately makes the race less appealing.
When I expect to do it: 2026 or 2027.
19. Dublin Marathon (Ireland)
October
Road Marathon
This is a more recent addition to this list, but well deserved one as this race looks awesome. The course looks fantastic, a single loop course starting and ending in downtown Dublin, weaving through historic streets and the iconic Phoenix Park. Visiting Ireland and Dublin is high on my travel list and this seems like an excellent way to experience the culture of both. The downside is that entry is through lottery well in advance, so it may be a while until I race this one.
When I expect to do it: Late 2020s/Early 2030s
18. Dolomyths Run (Italy)
June
Trail 22K
Italy is full of excellent and beautiful trail races, but this one caught my eye given the amazing videos that the Golden Trail series puts out. This is a more manageable distance around 16 miles or so versus many of those races being a full marathon.
When I expect to do it: The travel to Italy makes it more difficult, although there aren't really any New England races that weekend (one week post Loon). I'd say late 2020s/early 2030s.
17. New Haven Road Race (Connecticut)
September
Road 20K
Connecticut, while a pretty small state has a fantastic road racing scene with Manchester, Hartford and New Haven. Technically I've been apart of all three events but don't really count the latter two given I didn't participate in the signature longer distances. New Haven has fantastic culture and the start and finish in the Green is really neat. The 20K is a great loop and is the USA 20K championship each year, so I'd definitely like the chance to race that one, especially being so close to home.
When I expect to do it: Potentially this year, if not 2025 by the latest.
16. San Francisco Marathon (California)
July
Road Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Another one that has been on my radar for a long time. It's not especially competitive or iconic but San Francisco is one of my favorite big cities in the US, and with this marathon you really get to take in a full city tour. The course starts and ends downtown, runs through the Presidio, out and back on the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito, and through Golden Gate Park. I would imagine there are few marathons that hit so many city highlights as this one does, and the hilly profile makes it a welcome challenge. It's also a rare summer marathon as there aren't a lot of options for that season.
When I expect to do it: Potentially next summer in 2024, otherwise likely further down the road and probably late 2020s.
15. 5th Avenue Mile (New York)
September
Road Mile
I consider there to be a big 4 of New York City road races- the 5th avenue mile, dash to the finish line 5K, NYC half and of course the marathon. I was able to participate in the 5K last year, but the mile is even more so appealing to me. They shut a section of world famous 5th avenue and you race a mile alongside central park. Likely the best and most famous road mile in the united states, with huge names running in the elite race each year.
When I expect to do it: 2023, signed up and hotels booked. Maybe I could cross off 1 per year. 5K- 2022, Mile- 2023, Half- 2024, Marathon- 2025.
14. Mount Marathon (Alaska)
July
Trail 5K
This unique race is a staple of the trail/mountain running world. It's only 5K yet has 3,000 feet elevation, going from small town Seward streets up to the top of the mountain and back down. The course is absolutely brutal, with the average grade of the trail climb and descent being around 45% grade. This kind of race is not a strong point for me at all and even looks kind of scary (descending on loose scree at -45% grade) but is just a must do race for legit trail runners in a beautiful location. Another lottery race with only about 20% odds, although the odds supposedly increase the next year if you don't get in.
When I expect to do it: Probably late 2020s/early 2030s as there's a lottery and getting to Seward isn't super easy/cheap
13. Chicago Marathon (Illinois)
October
Road Marathon
This comes well behind London and the other two US majors for me, but is still a fantastic event and is well ahead of Berlin and Tokyo in my interests. This is definitely the easy US major from a course and logistics standpoint, given it's quite flat and is a loop course compared to hilly point to point races in Boston and New York city. The course is great, starting in downtown Millennium park, looping up North along the lakeshore, back through downtown and then some running on the west and south sides. Definitely a PR course and would likely be a fun experience.
When I expect to do it: Late 2020s. The majors are definitely a priority to me, but Boston and New York will come first and I'd also like to do Hartford and Philadelphia at some point.
12. Broken Arrow Skyrace (California)
June
Trail 46K, 23K, 11K, VK
California is perhaps the best U.S. state for high quality trail races and it's best event is likely Broken Arrow. It's a huge trail festival with 5 different races held at the Palisades Tahoe ski resort at elevation. It's a beautiful and I believe quite runnable course with plenty of ridge and snow running. Over the last few years, it's become one of the best races on the US trail running circuit and would be incredible to participate in.
When I expect to do it: Late 2020s. Would be hard to adjust to altitude and need extra days out there.
11. Whistler Alpine Meadows (British Columbia)
This course looks absolutely incredible, traversing both pine forest and open ridgeline. British Columbia and Whistler are probably some of the most beautiful areas in North America and this trail festival really hits the highlights of that. Unfortunately the event was permanently cancelled, which is a bummer. Cancellations of these events (and XTERRA world champs in Hawaii) is unfortunate and puts a priority on trying to do great events frequently so I don't miss out. Here's some honorable mentions before heading into the top 10 as replacements:
Golden Gate Spartan Trail (CA)- 100K, 50K, Half, 10K
Rock n Roll Las Vegas (NV)- Half, 10K, 5K
Kiawah Island Half Marathon (SC)- Marathon, Half Marathon
Cape Town Marathon (South Africa)
Final part coming soon...
No comments:
Post a Comment