The beginning of the end of the pandemic is palpable, so we put a call out on our Facebook page to see if anyone was racing in the next few months. Joy tingled up and down our hamstrings as we read the enthusiastic responses. “Thank you for this!” one mother runner wrote. “I actually miss standing in line for a porta-potty!”
Don’t we all.
In-person races are indeed making a comeback, so we gathered a smattering of offerings from around the country in case you’re ready to give it a go. Do not, we repeat, do not go run a race without the proper training. This is not meant to be a list of 20 ways to get yourself injured.
Similarly, we realize that some parts of the country/world have strict shelter-in-place guidelines going, while others are easing up considerably, so races may not be coming back in your ‘hood yet. Where they are emerging, race directors are diligent about prioritizing health, but obviously only head to a race if you’re healthy and feel comfortable with the event’s social distancing guidelines.
We’ve only highlighted a handful of races; find a full list here on Race Raves and add your favorite in the comments below.
MARCH
March 7: Hilton Head in Hilton Head, SC (Half and Quarter Marathon)
March 13: Gallatin Shamrock Run in Gallatin, TN (5K, 10K)
March 13: Heritage Run in Montgomery, AL (5K, Half)
March 13: St. Paddy’s Day Run in Fort Worth, TX (5K, 10K)
March 27: Spring Cleaning Run in Tucson, AZ (5K, 10K)
APRIL
April 3: The Carmel Marathon in Carmel, IN (5K, 10K, Half, Full)
April 3: Hippity Hop Half Marathon in Peoria, AZ (5K, 10K, Half)
April 10: Charlottesville Marathon in Charlottesville, VA (8K, Half, Full)
April 17: Anthem Marathon in Roanoke, VA (10K, Half, Full)
April 25: Clearwater Running Festival Marathon in Clearwater, FL (5K, Half, Full, 50K)
Have a race on your calendar this year? The Train Like a Mother Club will get you race-ready for your post-pandemic debut! Check out 5K, 10 Mile, Half-Marathon, Marathon, and Ultra programs!
MAY
May 2: Great Western in St. Charles, IL (10K, Half)
May 9: The Mother’s Day 10TEN in Washington Crossing, PA (10k, Ten Miler)
May 29: Virginia Wine Country Half in Leesburg, VA (5K, 10K, Half)
May 29: Happy Girls in Bend, OR (5K, Half). Our very own SBS will be emceeing and, if allowed, selling plenty of AMR merch. Get 15% off any Happy Girls race registration w/ code HGR21AMR.
As for myself, I’m using the TLAM 50K plan and training for the June 5th North Fork 50k in CO. I honestly can’t wait to spend the entire day away from my family, explore the trails, and eat snacks for hours on end.
Are you doing an in-person event this spring? Comment below.
I’m signed up to do Bridge2Bridge in Eau Claire, WI May 1-2. There is a one mile, and a five mile on the evening of May 1st, then there is a 10 mile on the morning of May 2nd. You can pick one race or do all three for an extra challenge (and swag!). If you are in the upper Midwest, come and join me.
I’m running Go! St. Louis on April 10 and the Austin 1/2 on April 25. (I know, 2 in one month…what am I thinking?!)
I just registered my daughter and myself for her Girls on the Run 5k in May! So excited since last year would have been her first time.
I’m registered for an in-person race in Yarnell, AZ. It honors the Granite Mountain Firefighters who died there. Very special run in June.
That Hippity Hop race in April is very close to my house!
Grandma’s in Duluth is running at half capacity. I bought a bib for the half last October when they announced it. I can’t wait. I NEED normal!!
Tentatively doing the Newport Half on April 17th!!
Margaritas and Manure Trail Race 50K on May 2 in Central Florida. It should be a blast!