Marathons to Run in 2008: Page 3

Provided by Runner's World


Hamptons Marathon
Where: East Hampton, New York
When: September 27
Age of Race: Running since 2007
Highlights: Flat, Rural, Great Foods, Spectator Friendly, Cool Schwag

Each year, the insanely popular ING New York City Marathon turns away more than 50,000 wanna-bes. Now those looking to run a fall marathon on the East Coast don't have to look far for another option. The Hamptons Marathon sets itself apart from its neighboring giant with its small-town vibe, shoreline views, and congestion-free course. The Hamptons, on Long Island's East End, is known as the playground of the rich and famous. But runners get the star treatment on race day. "A volunteer brought a cake to the finish area that listed the names of all the runners, including me, who were celebrating birthdays on race day," says Bill Gross of Ridgefield, Connecticut.

ROUTE: The race starts and finishes in front of the 1844 Springs General Store, where regular customer Jackson Pollock once reportedly settled a grocery debt with a painting. A seven-mile stretch through Napeague Bay State Park, with its dunes, osprey nests, and windsurfers, is a course highlight. Altogether you run past four beaches on the protected bay, and when you're not next to the water, you're running through the woods, past horse farms, or beneath fall foliage. Miles eight to 16 are perfectly flat; the rest is rolling.
SPECTATORS: Organizers distribute cowbells to residents who live along the route.
FUEL: Twenty-five aid stations, including one gel stop and one Fig Newtons stop.
REFUEL: Italian ices are a refreshing postrace treat.
TAKE NOTE: The inaugural race had 175 marathoners and closed out three months early. But organizers will be opening it up to 1,500, which also includes half-marathoners.

Denver Marathon
Where: Denver, Colorado
When: October 19
Age of Race: Running since 2006
Highlights: Flat, Urban, Great Foods, Entertainment, Spectator Friendly, Star Power

Dave McGillivray, the race director of the Boston Marathon, the world's oldest annual marathon, has used his expertise to reestablish what is now the country's youngest big-city marathon. McGillivray added an F-16 fighter-jet flyover, a hefty finishers' medal, and a course design that lets runners cheer each other on from across the street along six stretches.
ROUTE: McGillivray's course takes advantage of Denver's spacious city parks. "The trees were changing colors and we ran right along a lake in Washington Park," says Patty Rogers, of Lakewood, Colorado, who placed second at the 2007 marathon, which attracted 1,500 runners. On a clear day, you'll also see the snowcapped Rockies in the distance. Only 204 feet separate the lowest and highest points on the course.
SPECTATORS: Organizers provide three cheering areas with music, noisemakers, snacks, and face painting. The start, finish, and miles 4.5 and 11.5 are within about a mile of each other, making it easy for your friends and family to see you four times.
REFUEL: Coors beer garden, Whole Foods fruit, plus hot dogs.
TAKE NOTE: Denver is at mile-high altitude, but the flat course still makes a PR possible.

Nike Women's Marathon
Where: San Francisco, California
When: October 19
Age of Race: Running since 2002
Highlights: Hills, Urban, Great Foods, Lavish Fuel Stations, Entertainment, Cool Schwag, Star Power

Every marathon is 26.2 miles and every hotel is a place to sleep, but what sets them apart from the rest are the amenities. This marathon has special touches galore--most geared toward the 95 percent of runners who are women, including a "coat check" to drop your warmups at 2.5 miles; a "pedi-care" station for blister treatment or a change of socks; a Ghirardelli chocolate stop; and a Tiffany's necklace given to you at the finish by a fireman dressed in a tux.

ROUTE: The course takes you past so many scenic areas that many runners carry cameras. From Union Square, you run through the Financial District and Fisherman's Wharf; along the bay with unobstructed views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge; up into the eucalyptus and cypress forests of Presidio National Park; five miles apiece in Golden Gate Park, along Ocean Beach, and around Lake Merced; and finish on the ocean. The city's steep, cable-car hills are avoided, but three hefty climbs at miles six, eight, and 11 mean you should run to have a good time, not to run one.
ENTERTAINMENT: There are 39 stations with live music, DJs, and cheering squads, plus two more bands at the finish.
SPECTATORS: Some wait at the finish, which is near miles 11 and 16. Others take free shuttle buses to two of the four cheer stations, where comedians keep them in good cheer. REFUEL: Fourteen fluid stations and seven food stations with Luna Bars, Luna Sport Moons Energy Chews, bananas, granola, or chocolate. Postrace spread features Bear Naked granola with yogurt and bananas, and to wash it down, Jamba Juice smoothies.
SCHWAG: Technical T-shirt, loaded goody bag, plus the Tiffany's version of a finishers' medal. The Nike Expotique also offers massages, manicures, and yoga classes.
STAR POWER: Nike athletes give expo talks; 2007 speakers included Joan Benoit Samuelson (who also led a pace team) and Brandi Chastain.
TAKE NOTE: Men are outnumbered by women, 20-to-1, but they are welcome to participate, which gives them a rare shot of a great placing in the men's division. Registration opens in March or April, and the 8,000 marathon slots have sold out within three days.


Previous Marathons: Arizona, Miami, Virginia

• Customized Training Plan
• Find a Race Near You
• Time Tested Running Rules