There’s something about running that is very primal, raw and soul quenching. Whether it is running in the woods alone or running a marathon. It cannot be compared to running on the treadmill. There is a boom of runners and races. The 2014 State of the Sport report of USA says that the number of road race finishers has increased nearly 300 percent since 1990. And the numbers are only going to grow. Here is a list of some of the best of the best races for all the running junkies out there.
Alaska: Mayor’s Midnight Marathon and Half Marathon
Events: Marathon & Relay, Half marathon, Buddy half marathon, Four miler & Youth cup
This event held in June is held in Alaska with its beautiful northern lights, glaciers and 20+ hours of daylight. This annual event is held on a Saturday closest to the summer solstice and is a tradition for more than 40 years. About 4,000 runners take part from all states and take the participants off the beaten path. It begins along the Chugach Range and through the forest, the Chester Creek trail, the Coastal trail and ends along the Delaney Park strip in downtown Anchorage.
Arizona: The Phoenix Marathon
Events: Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10k
This event is held in February and it is perfectly designed to gradually decent into the Valley of the sun. The course has a steady elevation drop of nearly 1,000 feet from the start to the finish. Offering splendid desert views, the race begins on the Usery Mountain. The spectators are invited to participate in the Cheer challenge which gives them the chance to win prize money for motivating the runners.
Alabama: Rocket City Marathon
Events: Marathon, Kids Marathon
This has been a premiere event in the South for over 37 years. The course takes the runners through Historic Downtown Huntsville, the Huntsville botanical gardens and the Space and Rocket center. Kids marathons are also organized that has children till 8th grade participating and running the marathon course over 13 weeks. There is also a cash prize for cheering teams that is made up by the participant’s families called “spirit teams” that makes the most noise.
Arkansas: Little Rock Marathon
Events: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
The Little Rock Marathon has been the most famous event in Arkansas. You get to add a huge slab of metal to your collection. There is also a Little Rockers Kids Marathon which brings out the younger generation of runners on to the course. There is no form of time limit unlike other marathons which close after six hours.
California: Bay to Breakers
Events: 12K
When people say “only in San Fransisco” starts getting used a lot when trying to describe this marathon. The 12K marathon is far from your usual footrace. It is really sort of a mixture of footrace in different attires and sometimes somewhat similar to the Mardi gras.
Apart from the above mentioned marathons, there are so many across the USA which is always followed by ardent runners. If you are planning to take on a marathon, talk to your personal trainer at Fitness19 today and get the best -workout plans for you!
