Dan Solera's Staging Area

I had wanted to run this marathon since before I became a diehard. Thanks to annual family trips to Colorado, the state had a special pull, and the thought of running a picturesque marathon always called to me. The fact that it was downhill served to mitigate any worries I had about running at altitude.

The race starts around 6,000 feet and descends along the Poudre River to Fort Collins. It flattens out right at mile 17, gives you one big hill at mile 19, and then coasts until the finish line. Those first 17 miles are gorgeous, surrounded by green peaks, a steady river, and plenty of shade. In fact, on a sunny day, you won’t see much of the sun until after the halfway mark.

The aid stations were well placed, the buses to the start were part of a swanky, comfortable luxury fleet, and the post-race area was fun and well-attended. I definitely ran a positive split thanks to those opening downhill miles, but I had fun the entire way.

If I were a local, I’d run this again. The price was a bit steep (in the neighborhood of $150), but that’s to be expected for eponymous state marathons these days. All in all, I loved my experience both at the race and in the lovely town of Fort Collins. Bring your beer gut, because this town delivers!

Billed as the start of spring, the Shamrock Shuffle is a 5-mile tour of Chicago’s Grant Park, River North, the Loop, and Financial District. Though its 30,000+ crowds can mean serious congestion for slower runners, it is typically a fast course. Registration usually comes with a bevy of freebies, such as a tech t-shirt, hat, scarf, always green and high-quality. Late March and early April in Chicago provide no guarantees with the weather, as race-day conditions have varied from white-out snowstorms to clear skies in 70 degrees over the last ten years. Be prepared for everything!

Although it rained on me during the entirety of this race, I did not need to squint too hard to enjoy the beautiful scenery provided by this impeccably run seaside event. Packet pickup was available the morning of the race, there was plenty of shelter to shield us from the winds and rain, and the weather had not dampened the volunteers’ spirit.

The first half is admittedly much more scenic and varied than the second, but any 50-stater should already be used to that. Many of the areas’ storied mansions are featured during the first 13 miles, which also feature several miles along the Atlantic coast. If you take one picture during the entire race, I’d recommend you do it here.

The second half is run through neighborhoods, which, though green and dew-drenched, rarely screamed “Rhode Island.” The last miles also threw in several short hills to keep things interesting. The t-shirt was forgettable, but the sailboat-shaped medal was the first I’ve ever received to feature fabric as one of its primary materials.

A HUGE perk of this race is that race photos are included in registration courtesy of GameFace Media. Any race that does this is automatically bumped a full letter grade in my book.

The RNR race series is known for a polished, tried-and-true organization that yields the respectable race experience that everyone has come to expect. However, with their typically high race fees, runners eventually expect something extra, an additional X factor that sets the organization apart from its peers. It used to be a singular focus on music, or at least using the musical theme in creative ways.

But in 2016, I’m running out of praise. This year’s race, while a perfectly acceptable race in its most base terms, has lost most of what made the RNR brand so popular in the first place. Not only was there a huge lack of actual rock & roll, but the fun innovations of years past (strobe lights in the McCormick Tunnel, coordinated speakers playing the same song for a motivational 1/2 mile stretch) were nowhere to be found.

With the twelve other half marathons that Chicago offers, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to justify paying $100-150 for a running experience that offers nothing above what is expected. I worry about the race’s future. There are fewer finishers every year and the trend seems to point toward cutting services or lowering costs. I hope they can start the turnaround in 2017.

This is not a fast 50-miler, as it provides a relentless series of hills. But the woods of the Kettle Moraine State Forest will provide enough variety of terrain and scenery to keep any runner entertained and inspired. The organization is top notch, with plenty of aid stations and volunteers to deliver a world-class trail event. The race is divided into three sections: the Nordic Loop (9.5 miles), which starts and ends at the finish; an out-and-back to Rice Lake (about 20.5 miles); and an out-and-back to the Emma Carlin aid station (about 20 miles). The first and last sections have the most elevation change, with plenty of runnable stretches to keep an honest pace. Held in mid-May in Wisconsin, the weather can be cool or warm, so be prepared for anything. If you’re interested in running any of the distances (which include a 50k and a half marathon), be ready to sign up the minute registration opens, as this race routinely sells out in hours. As a 50k and 50-mile finisher, I can’t recommend this event enough.

Usually, this race is run in the bitter cold of Chicago’s December, often over snow-caked trails in the urban Lincoln Park. However, largely thanks to El Niño, it was in the upper 50s for the Christmas-themed Rudolph Ramble. I ran this race in 2009 and signed up in 2015 because instead of the typical participant shirt, organizer Fleet Feet gave all runners knit caps in their choice of blue or red. These days, that’s enough to get me to sign up. Fleet Feet puts on a ton of races in the area so the organization is masterful, and the event itself went off without a hitch. Local vendors were present for the after-party with cider, donuts and coffee for all participants. Whether in sub-zero climes or the surprising turn of weather, this race is a great way to end the calendar race season.

Despite my incredibly high expectations of the Berlin Marathon, I loved this race. I knew that the Expo would be enormous (it was), and that the streets were a bit too narrow (they were), and that the post-race spread was surprisingly meager (it was) and that participants have to pay extra for a t-shirt (they do). In spite of all these significant hindrances to perfection, I loved my time in Berlin, though not my RACE time.

Performance-wise, I went too fast and blew up around mile 16 before dragging myself to the finish in one of the worst positive splits in history. But that aside, the race was impeccably organized, with an almost stereotypical German adherence to efficiency. Runners have to go through FOUR checkpoints to reach their corrals and each one is strictly manned. The course is as flat as advertised, though there are about three small hills in the first six miles that call into question whether it is truly flatter than Chicago.

Berlin’s denizens were out in full force. Though they weren’t as vociferous as the average American cheer squad, they were supportive and friendly. Aid stations weren’t loudly advertised as they usually are in stateside marathons, but they were properly spaced, stocked, and each cup was very full. The plastic cups did become a nuisance, even for me, and I finished in the first fifth of participants. I can easily imagine the discarded cups becoming an unmanageable pile with another hour of runners.

The medal is simple, just as ornate as it needs to be. The lack of a participant t-shirt is definitely confounding, but we’re all there to run fast, not to collect more tech shirts. It’s a definite bucket list race, one to be experienced on its own. Though it’s made for elite PRs, it’s not the most PR-friendly course I’ve experienced – that honor still belongs to Chicago.

Raceway Woods houses what used to be a racetrack in Carpentersville, Illinois, about a 45-minute drive west of Chicago. No longer a racetrack but a forest preserve, the area still has a 3.17-mile track that now hosts local walkers, bikers and runners. In its third year, the Raceway 5k attracted almost 200 runners ready to tackle the many turns and hills of the once famous track. The first mile is mostly downhill, with the biggest hill cropping up right in the middle. The last mile is mercifully flat. However, its mid-August date all but guarantees a warm, muggy day. If you like running through forest but have weak ankles and can’t handle trail runs, this is an excellent substitute.

The Rock ‘n Roll Chicago Half Marathon is typically held in the middle of summer, which means you’re likely to get some challenging conditions. This year, the race began with an 80-degree morning drenched in 80% humidity. So we all adjust our time goals and enjoy the race anyway – especially since the organizers had brought the legendary Meb Keflezighi to pace the 1:30 group to victory. The course was 90% the same as last year, with only a small, mile-long out-and-back detour changed. However, there was visibly much less ROCK this year. There were only a few bands out on the course, none of which were thrashing or rocking but swinging and jazzing, and the mile-long stretch of speakers around mile 11 were blaring a remix of Whitney Houston’s very un-rock-like “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” Oh, and the headlining act for the show was Andy Grammer.

So needless to say, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed, especially after last year’s race really brought out the devil fingers. Maybe it was bad timing. But regardless, with the exception of the “selfie station” (which, really?) blaring the Offspring’s “Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)” this event was completely devoid of rock. Even the expo felt like an EDM concert with a neverending soundtrack of repetitive beats.

The race production itself was near impeccable, as usual. I’m just worried that they’re quickly losing their brand.

I signed up for this race for two reasons: it fit perfectly with my program and I wanted to enjoy the festive race atmosphere. I was going to run it alone until the Supreme Court ruling on Friday, June 26, which prompted a lot of my friends to sign up as well. Although there was a surprising lack of big announcements during the race itself, I had a great time. The course takes place on the park paths of Chicago’s Lincoln Park, which meant that it was still open to the public. Its 8 AM start time on a beautiful day meant that we had to be cognizant of walkers and cyclists on the path. However, with two aid stations, friendly volunteers and a festive post-race party that included cheerleaders and the Windy City Cowboys, we all had a great time. In my case, I had literally my best time (at the 10k distance). As the event benefits the Chicago LGBT community, the swag colorful but not over the top – the race T-shirt was green with the race’s rainbow insignia.

This annual race marks the true start of summer for many Chicagoans. Held on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, it runs down and up the Chicago Lakefront, first on outer Lake Shore Drive and then on the popular bike path. It begins just outside the famous Soldier Field and ends on the 50-yard line. In between, it’s a pretty standard out-and-back with five aid stations and trees for shade. Since half of it takes place on a path that I run every week, I haven’t ever really justified paying for it. But for anyone who doesn’t live near Museum Campus, it’s a fun race. Plus, I had never been inside Soldier Field, so for my first exposure to be running through the field in the very center of the glass and steel enclosure was surprisingly awe-inspiring. Most runners were sprinting the finish, but I was too busy staring wide-eyed at the majestic structure that enveloped me.

For those who don’t like shivering at the start or end of any race, the Fargo Marathon is perfect. It begins and ends in the Fargodome, then traces a bipolar path around the city’s neighborhoods (sometimes straight and neverending, then suddenly windy and erratic). With only one meaningful, albeit short climb, this race is basically as flat as it gets. With plenty of aid stations, pace groups every 5-10 minutes and enthusiastic locals ready to cheer, it’s a great spring race that may challenge your PR. They offer high-quality tech shirts, quirky medals and all the staples of a well-run race. Plus, they had Deena Kastor speaking at the Expo and making pre-race announcements, so that’s always a huge plus.

This race, which has become a Chicago running tradition, is basically an abbreviation of the city’s famed marathon course. It features the same opening 2 miles and finishes with runners climbing Mount Roosevelt before finishing on Columbus drive (without the middle 23 miles). Usually held toward the end of March, it’s supposed to portend the coming spring running season, but race day is usually beset by freezing temperatures. But that doesn’t stop 30,000 runners from showing up and attacking their 8k PRs in this perfectly flat and fast time trial course. Afterward, Grant Park becomes a party with plenty of food and drink. I’ve run this race eight times (2008 – 2015) and don’t plan on stopping.

There’s a reason I have run this half marathon more than any other race of its kind, and I don’t even live in Florida. For the everyday runner, there are two big reasons to run Miami: 1.) It’s 80 in Miami in January, when most of the country is shivering or buried under snow, and 2.) this race has nailed race production. Not too demanding, but not too loose, they simply know how to put together a well-oiled event that features a stunningly beautiful course. While the marathon does have its share of long, unchanging stretches of neighborhoods, the half marathon is constantly changing and always gorgeous (except for maybe 1 mile of city running near the end). The hardware is always ostentatious and colorful, the t-shirts are made to wear all the time, and you may easily find yourself registering for the next year just days after finishing. Can’t recommend this race enough.

I was originally slated to run the full marathon but woke up with searing knee pain thanks to the New Hampshire Marathon’s banked roads and steep hills. Decided at mile 1 to drop to the half and finished in a very slow time for me. Despite that, the course was very pretty, tree-lined and occasionally seaside. Great organization, which included a great t-shirt, a large and colorful medal, and a swag bag full of snacks (and even a can of baked beans). Perfect weather and seamless organization too.

This race is a big draw for veterans and those seeking their coveted medals. Great production, lots of aid stations and very generous swag (including hats, great t-shirts, stickers and badges). But aside from the last 800 meters, there wasn’t much to see during the race itself. I paced my father-in-law, an Air Force veteran, to a successful 4:47 finish, but if it weren’t for having him next to me to talk to, I wouldn’t have had much in the way of distractions. There are some hills at the start and the very end, so make sure to bank some energy if you want to finish strong.

I’m sure if I had trained appropriately for this race and done some real downhill trail running, I wouldn’t have melted down in such spectacular fashion. But I didn’t train and instead slogged through this race unceremoniously for about 3/4 of it. However, it was definitely gorgeous, well organized and extremely well-marked. The weather was perfect, the aid stations stocked with all kinds of delicious, energy-packed foods, and though I bemoaned the lack of a medal, the light hooded long-sleeve they gave to finishers is one of my favorite shirts.

I ran this race the day after a half marathon, so the rolling terrain tired me out more than usual. I’m not a big fan of two-looped courses because they generally mess with my head — at the start of the second loop, I felt far more tired than I should have been. However, it was a very nice course, which went from riverwalks to neighborhoods, zoos and downtown Wilmington. The medal was so-so, but the t-shirt and pint glass made up handily. There are only two big marathons in Delaware that I know of, though I would probably recommend that 50-staters try the HALF marathon in Wilmington. Double loops are the worst.

The first 2 miles of this race are a sight for sore eyes, but immediately after that, it only gets nicer. It runs through downtown St. Louis, then the Anheuser-Busch brewery, back downtown, through Forest Park, Washington University in St. Louis and Delmar Boulevard. The course is almost constantly a false flat, so be sure to get some hill training. The t-shirts and medals are almost always consistently of top-quality, and the early April date means it shouldn’t be too warm. There’s also a separate competition for who can run “Holy Hill” the fastest, which even includes separate timing mats.

This was my second attempt in 2013 to PR at the marathon, and I came pretty close. However, the course’s insistence on rolling up and down slowed me down in the second half. It begins and ends in downtown Philadelphia, runs through college campuses, picturesque neighborhoods, and then a painfully long out-and-back along the Schuylkill river. It does feel like the organizers put most of their efforts into a fun half marathon, with the ENTIRE second half being an out-and-back. Although I can’t fault them for this, it made staying strong in those latter miles very challenging. But if you have a stronger mind than mine, it’s a great place to chase a PR.

This was the second marathon I ran in one weekend, so I might not have enjoyed it quite as much. But I can be objective about it. With the exception of having the course blocked by a passenger train for about a minute, the race was executed flawlessly. The course is varied and scenic, but there’s a good 3-mile stretch through a trainyard that could use a make-over. The second half was a little hillier than expected, so be prepared to soldier through that part on tired legs. But what makes this race stand out is the crazy amount of finisher goodies everyone gets. In addition to a standout medal, finishers get pendants, coins, roses and even a POTTED PLANT. Oh, and everyone got two t-shirts in 2013. Definitely a must for anyone wanting to journey to the Pacific Northwest.

This was my first ultramarathon and I’m thrilled to have run it in the woods of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The race consists of a 13-mile out and back, followed by two 9-mile loops around the Cross Country course. The first segment is varied and technical, while the two loops are a little more open but contain the majority of the race’s elevation change. Held in early May, you can bet on beautiful, verdant forests, mostly dry trails and cool temperatures. The event boasts a half marathon and 50-mile distance as well.

I signed up for this race thinking it would be a trail run in Escazú, a posh neighborhood in Costa Rica’s capital of San José. However, I didn’t do the necessary diligence, because it started out with a gut-busting climb. The first 5k is mostly all uphill in sweltering heat and high humidity. There are sections that you cannot run because you are literally running on large tree roots upwards of 30 degrees. Once topped off, the downhill is no easier as it is extremely technical, forcing runners to navigate loose rocks, streams, roots and dirt. The views are beautiful though, and are definitely worth the arduous effort. This race doesn’t seem to exist anymore, but it was worth the pain.