Worry not! I haven’t forgotten to assemble the list of half marathons that you all suggested last month. It’s at the end of this post and I’ll explain how I compiled it down there. (And if I were a more clever-than-average bear, I could figure out how to hot link as if it were a footnote. Sadly, I am not a clever bear today.)
First, a story from Saturday’s long run:
Winter is coming to my neck of New York State. The wind this weekend had teeth, which I didn’t really notice until I was a mile in and still not warmed-up. The wind was also making it hard to breathe, somehow. By mile two, I was supremely crabby and cold and over it. But I still had four miles to go.
See that dip in my Strava chart? That’s where the weird thing happened.
In front of the McDonalds, the one whose bathroom has saved my Saucony capris on more than one occasion, a medium-sized dog charged across a busy street directly at me.
My first response was to prepare myself for being bitten. Said preparation was swearing. There was not much more I could do at that point.
But biting is not what happened. Instead, the dog launched herself at me like I was a long-lost friend, one whose pockets were full of bacon. I grabbed her collar so she wouldn’t run back out into traffic. A random guy about my age was pulling his flip phone out of his pocket as he walked towards me.
As I was trying (and failing) to calm her squirmy butt down, another random guy (older, this time) came sprinting out of the McDonalds. He was taking his belt off as he ran toward flip-phone guy, squirmy dog, and me. Which made me wonder what, exactly, had been going on in the Play Place until I realized that his (genius!) plan was to use his belt as a leash.
With that extra help, I managed to get a look at the dog’s tag, which let me know her name was Oreo and that her owner had a phone number. Flip-phone guy called and left a message. Just as we were all trying to figure out what to do next (and Oreo continued to try to climb/lick/snuggle with me), a young dude came sprinting from the nearby neighborhood, crossed the street, and scooped Oreo right up. She snuggled in. He mentioned that she’s new to him and he had no idea she could climb fences.
Given that I recently found myself in a similar circumstance with a rescue pup, I wished him luck.
In all of the chaos, I did not get a picture of Oreo. Instead, enjoy this snap of my fence-climbing rescue, whose antics were only stopped by an invisible fence.
Two minutes later, after flip-phone guy and belt-guy and I celebrated a good deed well done, I started running again. Those last four miles just flew by, frankly. I do wonder if Oreo misses me.
In other news:
I’ve arranged the races that you all suggested (plus a few I’ve found) by date, mostly because that is how I plan. I did leave the Eau Claire race off of the list because I know I’ll be running it at the retreat. Also, it appears that no one like to run in July, which makes perfect sense to me.
January
F3 Lake; Chicago, IL
Houston Marathon; Houston, TX
February
Surf City; Huntington Beach, CA
Mercedes Half; Birmingham, AL
Mississippi River Half; Lake Village, AR to Greenville, MS
Rock ’n’ Roll New Orleans; NO, LA
March
Shamrockn’ Half; Sacramento, CA
Myrtle Beach Half; Myrtle Beach, SC
Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, SC
Wrightsville Beach; Wilmington, NC
Little Rock Half; Little Rock, AR
Wicked Marathon; Wamego, KS
Carmel Marathon; Carmel, IN
April
Oak Barrel Half; Lynchburg, TN
Savannah Women’s Half; Savannah, GA
Oklahoma City Memorial; OKC, OK
Salt Lake City Marathon; SLC, UT
Whidbey Island Marathon; Whidbey Island, WA
Drake Relays Half; Des Moines, IA
May
Flying Pig; Cincinnati, OH
Happy Girls; Bend, OR
Windemere Marathon, Spokane, WA
Run for the Cows; Redding, CT
Avenue of the Giants, Humboldt, CA
National Women’s Half; Washington, D.C.
June
Thelma and Louise; Moab, UT
Garry Bjorklund Half; Duluth, MN
Missoula Half; Missoula, MT
Kona Half Marathon; Kona, HI
The Great Ferry Race; Bainbridge Island, WA
July
August
Oregon Wine Country; Dundee, OR
Skinny Raven Half; Anchorage, AK
13.Wine; Baroda, MI
September
Monument Marathon; Gering, NE
Ocean City Half; Ocean City, NJ
Hogsback; Colebrook, CT
Green Lake Half; Green Lake, WI
October
Urban Cow Half Marathon; Sacramento, CA
Bull City Race Fest; Durham, NC
Urban Bourbon; Louisville, KY
Run Crazy Horse; Black Hills, SD
Fargo Mini Marathon; Fargo, ND
Detroit International; Detroit (and Windsor, Canada), MI
Hartford Half Marathon; Hartford, CT
Jazz Half; New Orleans, LA
Toronto Waterfront Marathon; Toronto, Canada
November
Richmond Half; Richmond, VA
Seacoast Half; Portsmouth, NH
Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas; Las Vegas, NV
December
St. Jude’s; Memphis, TN
Rocket City; Huntsville, AL
Tucson Marathon; Tucson, AZ
Rehoboth Beach Seashore Marathon; Rehoboth, DE
Besides costing just $50, the Ocean City Half is a super-fun race with good swag and great post-race food (think Manco and Manco’s pizza, Johnson’s Popcorn, soft pretzels, etc. etc.) Count me in!
I love the Oak Barrel half but registration for 2019 it sold out in an hour at the end of October. At this point, if you are still interested in it, it would need to be as a charity runner [which I’ve done…it means making a donation of around $125-150 to one of the local charities]
You left off the Tobacco Road half and full in March in NC. It’s the best one! If you choose that one i’ll Run it with you!
Glad Oreo – and your capris – are safe.
I’m in for Rehoboth Half with you!!!! Bring SBS as welll!!
It’s not quite a half marathon, but the Right to Run 19k is in Seneca Falls, NY in July. It’s a truly beautiful course, and, being that it’s July, I’d say 19k is more than fair. It’s 19k for the 19th Amendment celebrating women’s right to vote. The race is held in conjunction with an event at the Women’s History Museum.
I’ll be at the 2019 Houston Marathon! One of my favorite races ever (both the full and the half are awesome – this will be my 3rd time to run one of them!)
The Louisiana marathon January 20th in baton rouge la
You left out Catalina Buffalo Run
Middlebury Maple Run May 5th , Middlebury Vt AND Millinocket half marathon Dec 8th Millinocket ME
I will be running the Eau Claire, WI 1/2 marathon in May. This is also during the AMR retreat. It would be fun to see you there and mark WI off your list!
I’ll be there!
I had a somewhat similar dog run-in story. I was near the end of my run though and just turned the corner into my neighborhood. I heard a woman yelling and screaming in histerics. Seems she was a new dog sitter and 2 big dogs escaped their yard when she let them out. I guess she was also crazy panicked because they were headed towards me and the exit of the neighborhood, a busy road. Both big guys were nonchalantly sniffing the shrubbery and easily came when I said, “treats!” Grabbed their collars and enjoyed some doggie kisses, as well as many tearful “thank you” from the sitter. That run felt especially good when I got home a few minutes later :) but yes, my running app has a long pause too ;)
“Treats” is a magic word, as is “cookie.” Also works on me.
July – Grand Island Trail half in Munising, MI. Bug dope is a must, Lake Superior keeps the temps bearable, and the scenery is breathtaking.
One to add is the Bird In Hand Half Marathon in September. It’s the most charming race and I’ve done it 7 years in a row! It has a 5k the night before, hot air balloon launches, Whoopi’s pies in the goodie bags, s’mores at the pre-race party and Rita’s water ice during the race. And the medal is a real horseshoe from a local horse. It’s not the easiest course in the world but it’s beautiful.
Wait, are you running ALL these races, Adrienne?!? You are amazing! (I wish I had the time and your travel budget!) If so, I’ll definitely see you at the Palmetto Bluff Half!
Not running ALL of these! Maybe one or two this year, then knock off the rest as the decades wear on. Time and money are totally issues!
Wait, Adrienne,are you planning to run all of these??
Lordy no. These are just the ones that people mentioned in the comments on the last post. My 50 state quest will take years.
You’re making me want to run the Pig again! And the St. Jude’s race – I’ve heard that tissues are a must.
I’ve run the Island to Island Half twice. It starts at Assateague Island State Park and ends at the Ocean City, Maryland inlet. It is a flat race with beautiful views. Always at the end of April or beginning of May.
I’m so excited that you’re coming to the Rehoboth Beach half! I’ve run this race for years now, and it’s truly the best in the state. You can check out my 2017 race recap (full) here if interested! https://runbeckyrun.wordpress.com/2017/12/07/race-recap-2017-rehoboth-beach-marathon/
Rehoboth is not in the cards for me this year! But it is likely going to be my DE one.
Don’t forget the Fargo Marathon in May (Fargo, ND)
We have SO MANY great races here in Oklahoma. The Aquarium Run in Tulsa is in April, and it’s a fast and flat pretty course. The Spirit of Survival in Lawton is in October, and is one of my favorites; cancer charity fundraiser, great course, amazing course support, and REALLy great swag. They’ve even added a bike course the day before (anywhere from 13-66 miles)!
Missoula Half Marathon in July in Montana!
Run The Bluegrass (Half, 7 miler, 3 miler) in April, Lexington, KY is such a great event! The race director goes the extra mile to make it welcoming and fun.
What a great list! Thanks for compiling it.
I have got to do the Thelma and Louise Half relay with my BRF. What a hoot!!
That one is super tempting for me, too.
For all Disney fans there are the rundisney races in January, February, April and November. My favorite is the Star Wars themed half in April.
I’m still stuck on the dude having a flip phone.
RIGHT?
I second the Run the Bluegrass Half Marathon in Lexington, KY. It’s through gorgeous horse country, with easy logistics on race morning, and lots of fun horse/bourbon-themed tours to tack on if you wish to do so.
I didn’t see any representing Colorado so I propose the Horsetooth Half in Ft Collins. Net downhill and pretty scenery. And Ft Collins is a great little laid back college town north of Denver.
Wait, you are running both OCNJ AND Rehoboth?! I will see you twice next year?! This can’t be….Happy 50 to me!!!
While I would LOVE to give you the gift of me for your 50th, these are only ideas for races, not ones I’ve committed to! But I do like the idea of both.
And happy early birthday!
Definitely if you come to Savannah I will run the Publix Savannah Women’s half with you! This was my PR half, and it’s a beautiful course with a great vibe. I would also drive to Bluffton to run with you there!
July – how could you miss the Napa-to-Sonoma Half. It’s a wine glass and holder for a medal. – how crazy is that! https://www.motivrunning.com/napa-to-sonoma-wine-country-halfmarathon/
Atlanta is of course famous for hosting the world’s largest 10K, the Peachtree RR on July 4th. For those who don’t want to waste their entire holiday with the ordeal that is getting to and from ATL, several other race planners have come up with alternate patriotic race events, including this one: https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Cumming/WeTheRunnersHalfMarathon10k5kandSparklerTrot?aflt_token=EZnEDCiIAbEP0IXNk3reBNJGJev1hmeL I have not run this particular race, but I have run a race on this course and it is a great one. Nice, flat, quiet and shaded. I can only imagine how hot and humid it will be in July! Definitely for the strong!
Thank god someone mentioned the flip phone. That needed a bit more play!
Another October option? The Whistlestop Half Marathon from Iron River to Ashland,Wisconsin. https://www.whistlestopmarathon.com/ And look forward to saying hello in person at the Eau Claire retreat!
Definitely consider the Indy Mini for your list; it’s at the beginning of May and ties in to the Indianapolis 500 celebrations. The race itself includes a lap around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway–a pretty unique running experience!
Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon is one of my favorites! It’s in May.