NEW YORK, October 26, 2012 —The upcoming Marine Corps Marathon, ING New York City Marathon, and Philadelphia Marathon are some of fall’s marquee races. With mild race-day temperatures, they are ideal for setting a personal best time.
But for runners who want to spice up their winter running and cash-in on fall marathon fitness, a smattering of races in warmer climates and sandy beach resorts are ready to welcome runners with open arms.
Negril, Jamaica
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The Reggae Marathon is a flat, out and back looped course on the streets along Negril’s Seven-Mile Beach. The event also offers a half marathon and a 10K. The weekend’s events include the JHTA “World’s Best Pasta Party” on Friday night and an Awards Beach Bash after the race on Saturday.
To make a Jamaican getaway even more appealing, The Caves, a cliff side resort in Negril, is offering a Reggae, Running & Relaxation package from Friday November 30 through Monday, December 3 that includes room, food, beverage, welcome cocktail, roundtrip transportation to the pre-race pasta party, round trip transportation to and from the race, a post-race cocktail party and a Blue Mountain Coffee Scrub at The Caves’ spa. The package costs $1,500 per room based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made through November 30. For more information call 1.800.Outpost or visit them online.
Palm Beaches Marathon & Run Fest
West Palm Beach, Florida
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Palm Beaches Marathon isn’t kidding when they tacked “Run Fest” onto the end of their name. The event also includes a half-marathon, marathon relay, 10K and 5K so there’s something for every runner. With average race-day highs in the mid-70s, it’s a perfect getaway race for runners looking to escape winter.
Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Sunday, December 2, 2012
The Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon promises a “very flat” course. The website says its “probably the flattest you will ever run!!!” That many exclamation marks should appeal to runners looking to qualify for the Boston Marathon; the looped course is a Boston Qualifier. The event also includes a pre-race pasta party, half-marathon, four-person relay and kids’ fun run.
Runners pass salt marshes and maritime forests at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. (Photo: Kiawah Island Golf Resort)
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Unlike many island marathons that employ looped courses for their races, the Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon features a unique course that snakes along the roads of the beachfront property in the shape of a jelly fish, with a large loop around the main part of the resort and a few small tentacle-like one to four-mile out and backs off the main loop. The event, which is celebrating its 35th year, also unveiled a new half marathon course. And, like larger marquee marathons, Kiawah Island offers pace teams to help runners make their goal times.
With average race-day temps in the mid-60s, it’s one of the cooler island marathons. But with five championship golf courses, an award-winning tennis center, wildlife and nature tours, and other activities, and there’s still plenty to do at the resort, which is offering packages for runners that include accommodations, race entry, and a pre-race pasta party.
Karla Bruning is host of On The Run, New York Road Runner’s weekly lifestyle web show about running. She has completed four marathons, two triathlons and trains with the New York Harriers. Follow Karla’s “Notes From a Running Nerd” at RunKarlaRun.com, Facebook and Twitter@KBruning.
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