Marathons to Run in 2008

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Provided by Runner's World

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Eugene Marathon
Where: Eugene, Oregon
When: May 4
Age of Race: Running since 2007
Highlights: Flat, Rural, Great Foods, Entertainment, Spectator Friendly

Baseball fans have Cooperstown, NASCAR fanatics have Daytona, and die-hard runners have Eugene. Every Nike-wearer should make the pilgrimage to Track Town USA, longtime home to top talent (Steve Prefontaine, Alberto Salazar, Kara Goucher) and to locals who live and breathe the sport. The town had been without a marathon since the mid-1980s, until local veteran marathoner Richard Maher resurrected the Eugene Marathon with the help of legendary running author Joe Henderson. The result was a first-rate debut in 2007, in which 1,500 runners enjoyed a flat route that took in 12 parks. "Starting in the shadows of Hayward Field, with all of its history, and then being cheered by spectators who 'get it'--they don't tell you you're 'almost there' at 16 miles--made it really special," says Kelly Richards of Grapevine, Texas. "I carbo-loaded at Track Town Pizza, where the walls are covered with photos of University of Oregon runners."

ROUTE: The three-loop course first leads runners through the university's campus. Then it heads south on residential streets before returning to campus and crossing the Willamette River. Almost the entire last 17 miles follow river bike paths to the finish in front of the university's football stadium. There's PR potential here, with mostly flat terrain and just a quarter-mile climb in the seventh mile.
ENTERTAINMENT: Featured at 35 spots, including a bagpiper at mile 8.5 and a harpist at 16.5.
SPECTATORS: The course is great for any fans you bring, too. Thanks to the shamrock layout, they can easily cheer you at the start and finish, and at miles 8.5 and 15.5.
REFUEL: Subway subs and cookies at the finish.
STAR POWER: In 2007, age-group legend John Keston keynoted the pasta dinner and sang the national anthem at the start, and Olympians Kenny Moore, Bill Dellinger, Marla Runyan, and Nicole Teter led seminars at the expo.
TAKE NOTE: The race doesn't actually start on the Hayward Field track, but runners are welcome to do a warm up lap there.

Grand Island Trail Marathon
Where: Grand Island, Michigan
When: July 26
Age of Race: Running since 2005
Highlights: Hills, Trail, Rural, Great Foods, Cool Schwag

The Grand Island Trail Marathon isn't easy, but its well-groomed trails and dirt paths make it tame enough to be a good introduction to off-road marathoning. The all-soft-surface route circles the entire island through forests and meadows. After a final shoreline stretch, many of the 300 finishers plunge into Lake Superior for a natural ice bath.

ROUTE: The course forms the letter Q: a 21-mile island-perimeter trail with an out-and-back tail into dense forest from miles four to seven. Hills are constant: There are doozies at miles four, eight, 16, 18, and 20. Expect to add at least a half hour to your typical time.
FUEL: The pre-race pasta dinner at a family restaurant is more intimate than banquet-room buffets.
SCHWAG: Finishers receive a Patagonia Silkweight Capilene T-shirt. Age-group winners receive hand-blown, colored-glass medallions.
TAKE NOTE: Carrying a water bottle is mandatory because there are only four fluid stations.

Road Runner Akron Marathon
Where: Akron, Ohio
When: September 27
Age of Race: Running since 2002
Highlights: Hills, Urban, Lavish Fuel Stations, Entertainment, Spectator Friendly, Cool Schwag

Midwesterners are known as friendly folks, a reputation that Akron Marathon race director Jim Barnett works hard to uphold. After all, Barnett shakes each of the 1,160 marathoners' hands at the finish line. Runners can also find inspiration with 128 signs on the course (with messages like "Embrace Your Spirit" and "Don't Look Back"), the personalized bibs with runners' names, and the thrill of having their names announced and images projected on a baseball-stadium scoreboard at the finish. Complementing the small-race hospitality are big-race amenities: details like portable bathrooms (half with tampons) at 18 spots on the course; large clocks at every mile and 5-K; pace teams; and a post race medal-engraving station. "Akron is one of the few of the 27 marathons I've run that's completely glitch-free," says 2007 finisher Darren Boas of Frederick, Maryland. "From the well-stocked aid stations to my parking spot right across from the stadium, it was perfect."

ROUTE: The marathon is a mix of urban, suburban, and park roads and paths. The first loop of the figure-eight course runs through downtown, Akron's South Side, and the University of Akron campus. The second loop includes four miles on the crushed-limestone Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and three miles in the shaded Sand Run Park. The course is filled with rolling hills that aren't too difficult, but there is an uphill stretch from miles 17 to 19.
ENTERTAINMENT: There are 63 entertainment spots, including 13 bands and 10 neighborhood block parties, on the course.
SPECTATORS: An estimated 100,000 spectators cluster along the course. Your support crew can see you at four spots, since the start, finish, and miles three and 10.5 are all within a five-block radius of each other.
REFUEL: Eighteen fluid stops with red cups for water and blue cups for sports drink, and six fuel stops offering unopened and opened gel packets.
SCHWAG: Free $90 Brooks running shoes, long-sleeve tech shirt, mesh running hat, medal, massage.
STAR POWER: Marathon legends Bill Rodgers and Kathrine Switzer are scheduled to appear at this year's expo.
TAKE NOTE: It may be hard to sell your non running spouse on Akron as a destination weekend.


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