Lunatics I Follow
OC Marathon Running Festival
Newport Beach, CA
(Note: Because it fell on the same busy weekend as the nearby Los Angeles Marathon this year, the OC opted to cancel its marathon distance and focus instead on the …
Windermere Marathon & Half Marathon (US)
Spokane, WA
BOTTOM LINE: Named for a local real estate agency and its eponymous foundation dedicated to helping low-income & homeless families, Windermere is a relaxed, picturesque marathon that will be even better …
Kansas Rails-to-Trails Fall Ultra Extravaganza
Ottawa, KS
BOTTOM LINE: The Kansas Rails-to-Trails Extravaganza was the perfect race to help me maintain my health, sanity and motivation in the midst of a global pandemic, as for five (near-freezing) …
Little Rock Marathon
Little Rock, AR
BOTTOM LINE: To sum up a terrific Little Rock weekend in one pithy statement, I’d say the medal is large and the Chicks are In Charge. And if I could …
Williams Route 66 Marathon & Half Marathon
Tulsa, OK
BOTTOM LINE: In a city known for its block parties, Route 66 bills itself as “Oklahoma’s Biggest Block Party”—and it may be right. Though “fun” may not be the first …
Kodiak Ultra Marathons
Big Bear Lake, CA
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re looking for a memorable summer ultramarathon in a scenic mountain setting, take a long look at the Kodiak Ultras. But beware — nearly a year later …
Marshall University Marathon & Half Marathon
Huntington, WV
BOTTOM LINE: For a solid, few-frills race through the heart of urban Appalachia, MUM’s the word. Held annually on the same Sunday as the nation’s largest marathon in New York …
Clarence DeMar Marathon & Half Marathon
Gilsum, NH
BOTTOM LINE: Whether you’re a focused 50 Stater or a restless runner looking for a top-notch race in a beautiful setting, CDM is one DeMar-velous marathon. With a population of …
Fargo Marathon
Fargo, ND
BOTTOM LINE: Sometimes a marathon weekend just feels good from start to finish — marathons like Missoula and Jackson Hole spring to mind, and Fargo likewise is high on that …
Two Oceans Marathon
Cape Town, South Africa
BOTTOM LINE: In a way, I feel like I’m writing this review with one hand tied behind my back — because I didn’t really run the Old Mutual Two Oceans …
A Christmas Story 5K & 10K Run
Cleveland, OH
BOTTOM LINE: Can a race be described as magical? For those of us who grew up loving the movie A Christmas Story, this may be as close as it gets. …
REVEL Kulia
Waimea, HI
BOTTOM LINE: If you’ve ever run a REVEL race, then you know exactly what awaits you on the Big Island… and if you haven’t, you may want to carry a …
Tokyo Marathon
Tokyo, Japan
BOTTOM LINE: Tokyo is big, it’s bold, it’s bonkers. It’s eclectic, electric, hypnotic, frenetic. And it’s a heck of a place to run a marathon. As the most populated metropolitan …
Running Universal Minion 5K
Universal City, CA
The inaugural Minion 5K was Running Universal’s first entry in what hopefully will become a series of Universal-themed events geared toward both runners and (fast) walkers. Universal has a number …
Jacob Wells 3 Bridges Marathon
Little Rock, AR
BOTTOM LINE: Tell me you’re on the hunt for a high-value, low-frills scenic marathon in an underrated city you may not otherwise visit, and I’ll point you straight to the …
JFK 50 Mile
Boonsboro, MD
BOTTOM LINE: First held in 1963 during the Kennedy administration, the JFK 50 Mile is the country’s oldest and largest ultra marathon. It’s an iconic race that draws some of …
Des Moines Marathon
Des Moines, IA
BOTTOM LINE: As midsize marathons go, Des Moines is one of des best in the des Midwest, if not des entire country. The meandering, Hyde-and-Jekyll course is best considered in …
Kansas City Marathon
Kansas City, MO
BOTTOM LINE: Having entered the weekend as a Kansas City newbie not knowing what to expect, I can now enthusiastically gush about the City of Fountains. Both the marathon and …
Jackson Hole Marathon & Hole Half Marathon
Jackson Hole, WY
BOTTOM LINE: From now on, whenever non-runners (and even some runners) ask why I’m running in all 50 States, I have an easy two-word answer: Jackson Hole. The opportunity to …
Nitro Trail Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
San Pablo, CA
BOTTOM LINE: Whether it’s held on the moon in zero gravity or at Point Pinole Regional Park, ain’t no race like a Brazen race. This year marked the 10th anniversary …