Back in April 2010, I posted my first marathon bucket list shortly after completing my third marathon in Knoxville, TN. Since then, I’ve completed five more marathons including several on that initial list. Also, there are now more marathons that I want to finish before I leave this earth. To that end, I present a revised list, which includes my completed marathons at the end.
Tier 1:
- Boston – My goal is to qualify before my 40th birthday (I’m 36). With the changes in qualifying standards over the next two years, it is going to be harder and harder for this to be a reality. Still, I will continue to train hard to meet this goal.
- New York – As the intro to Letterman says – “The greatest city in the world!” NYC is my favorite place on earth, and I can’t wait to run this marathon. All 5 boroughs, 2 Million+ spectators, 44K+ runners!! I missed out on the lottery for 2010, and am entered again for 2011. Should find out if I made it in early April.
- Big Sur (Monterey, CA) – 26.2 + The Monterey Coast = WOW! Considered to be one of the most beautiful marathons in the world. Might have to combine with a trip to play Pebble Beach.
- St George (Utah) – 5240’ at the start and 2600’ at the finish, running through beautiful St George, Utah. I’ve been told it is one of the best-organized races in the country.
- Walt Disney World Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – My wife and I have been to DW 8 times since we were married in 1997, so we obviously love the place. The Goofy’s Challenge is to run the 1/2 marathon on Saturday and the full on Sunday. Runners get a Donald Duck medal for the 1/2, a Mickey Mouse medal for the full, and a Goofy Medal if they can complete both. I was registered for the Goofy Challenge in January 2011, but missed the half marathon due to the flu. I was still able to complete the full marathon, but would like to go back and do the Goofy at some time in the future.
- Marine Corps. (Washington, DC) – Running through the monuments in DC with Marines handing out water & Gatorade at the aid stations. Sounds pretty special.
- Rock n’ Roll San Diego – The original Rock n’ Roll marathon in the city known for perfect weather. I know that all of the Rock n’ Roll events are incredibly well run, and are BIG!
- (new) Athens – The marathon course is based on the myth from which the race gained its name: Pheidippides, a messenger in Ancient Greece, ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greeks’ victory over the Persians. The course begins in the town of Marathon and finishes at the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, a site for athletics competitions in ancient times and the finishing point for both the 1896 and 2004 Olympic marathons
- (new) Missoula (Missoula, MT) – Ranked by Runner’s World readers as the best marathon in the US in 2010.
- (new) London Marathon – One of the five World Marathon majors (along with Boston, Chicago, New York & Berlin). Can’t think of a better way to experience London than with 35,000 other runners on a fast course.
- (new) Berlin Marathon – Another of the World Marathon majors, and an extremely fast course. Home of the world-record of 2:03:59, set by Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie in 2008
- (new) Ogden (Utah) – Another marathon that is supposed to be among the most beautiful in the US, but without the steep climbs of Big Sur. 5400’ at the start and 4300’ at the finish.
Tier 2:
- Miami – A flat, sea-level course in beautiful Miami. Finishers get a spinning palm tree medal.
- P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Phoenix – I love the natural beauty of the Phoenix / Scottsdale area, and like the idea that the half and full are on different courses. As always, Rock n’ Roll events are a lot of fun.
- Little Rock – Another one that is about the medal. Like having a dinner plate around your neck.
- Cincinnati Flying Pig – Why? – Two-Sided Flying Pig Medal….
- Harpeth Hills Flying Monkey (Nashville, TN) – Basically 2 laps around the main drive in Percy Warner park (1 in each direction). I regularly train in PW park, and to say it is challenging would be an understatement. Each lap has over 1250’ of elevation change. Not certified, not a BQ, but I really want to do this one. Part of it is because it is my hometown. Part of it is the beauty of the park. Part of it is the cool, wood, flying monkey medal. Part of it is getting the bragging rights for finishing this brutal course. Plan to register for this one in 2011 if I don’t get selected in the New York lottery.
- (New) LA Marathon – A point-to-point, net downhill course through the second largest city in the US. I have never been to LA except through the airport. Seems like a fun way to experience the city.
Completed Marathons:
- Chicago – October 11, 2009 – 3:53:05
- St. Jude Marathon (Memphis, TN) – December 5, 2009 – 3:42:22
- Knoxville – March 28, 2010 – 3:39:12 – Race Write-Up
- Country Music Marathon – April 24, 2010 – 3:52:55 – Race Write-Up
- Twin Cities (Minneapolis, MN) – October 3, 2010 – 3:25:38 – Race Write-Up
- Rock n’ Roll San Antonio – November 14, 2010 – 3:24:13 – Race Write-Up
- Walt Disney World – January 9, 2011 – 3:43:08 – Race Write-Up
- Mercedes (Birmingham, AL) – February 13, 2011 – 3:39:46 – Race Write-Up
So what great races are missing from my list?