Tis the Season of the Marathon

The Fall season is finally upon us, which means the leaves are turning, pumpkin lattes are brewing, and Fall marathons are in full swing.  26.2 miles has long been viewed as the peak of road racing, and with the cooler temps the Fall is when many of the more popular marathons take place. From the Twin City Marathon in October to the Rocket City Marathon in December, beginning in October a runner has many races from which to choose to conquer.  Listed below are some of the more well known races of the fall.

Chicago Marathon

The Chicago Marathon is known as one of the flattest and fastest marathons of the fall.  Registration opens in the Spring and has been known to close within one week of opening.  This year the race took place on October 13th where more than 40,000 people traversed the streets of Chicago.  In 2005, Deena Kastor, the US women's record holder in the marathon won the Chicago Marathon.

Marine Corps Marathon

Known as "The People's Marathon" this race started in 1976 with 1,175 participants, mostly marines. Over the last 40 years Marine Corps Marathon has grown in size and popularity. Just over 30,000 runners take on the marathon distance through the nations capital. In 1994, the Marine Corps Marathon garnered great attention as Oprah Winfrey completed the 26.2 mile distance in 4:29:15 and began what's known as the "Beat Oprah!" movement.

New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon (NYCM) is one of the largest marathons in the world.  Each year more than 45,000 participants run the course through the 5 city boroughs of New York.  Taking place the first Sunday of November every year this race has hosted many elite and amateur runners each year, with the exception of 2012, since 1970.  As one of the Worlds Marathon Majors, NYCM garners national and international attention from the world's best runners.  In 1976, Norwegian Grete Waitz broke the women's record and went on to win the NYCM nine times.  In 2009, American Meb Keflezighi won the NYCM, the first American since Alberto Salazar won it in 1982.

While these 3 races are the more popular races of the Fall, there are many other marathons from which a runner can choose to run.  Big or small, local or international, running the marathon is an experience which every runner should consider to embark upon. 26.2 miles to eternity, 1 mile at a time there is no greater experience.  

Keep running!!

Jerome