Five Fall Races | #FridayFive

It's recently warmed back up to more summer-like weather here in NoVA. But school is coming back in session, the leaves are turning colors, football is starting... all of which means fall is coming. This means the fall racing season is beginning, and the topic for this week's Friday Five linkup is quite appropriate. This week's topic is

Five Fall Races

1. Runner's World Half Marathon (Bethlehem, PA)

October 18, 2015

Reason to run: It's Runner's World! Also, Bart Yasso

My first choice for my fall races list is one I am running, the Runner's World Half Marathon and Festival. They offer a weekend of activities, including kids races, 5K, 10K, the half marathon and even a 1 mile dog run. You can even do a Hat Trick (5K, 10K, Half) or a Five and Dime (5K, 10K). It looks like a great weekend of activities. I'm excited to be running the Hat Trick for BibRave this year. I recently posted about making a training plan for the challenge, so go read if you're considering a challenge. Being PA born and raised, I really wanted to run this race, so I'm glad I'm getting the opportunity. It's Runner's World own event, so I'm sure they'll put a lot of attention into it and be a great event for runners. Interestingly enough, this race was on my races to run in 2015 list, and then I received the opportunity to run it for BibRave. Funny how those things work out.

2. Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach (Virginia Beach, VA)

September 6, 2015

Reason to run: Flat, fast, rocking race

This race is high on my list of half marathons to run. Rock 'n' Roll Virginia Beach is one of the most consistently good Rock 'n' Roll races. I've heard nothing but good things about this race, from the course, the organization and the entertainment. Sometimes the RnR races seem to be hit or miss on location, except this one seems to be always a hit. Couple that with an excuse to go to the beach, and you have a perfect racecation.

3. Beat the Blerch (WA, CA, NJ, Virtual)

September and November, 2015

Reason to run: Run with Mathew Inman, and from the Blerch.

You very likely have seen the Oatmeal's comic about running. It even has been made into a book. Last year the inaugural race was held in Washington, so that you too could run from the Blerch. This year, due to it's great popularity it was expanded to the east coast. Unfortunately, the NJ race is just before my vacation, so I am instead running the virtual race again. Even the virtual race comes with a great swag packet. It includes a shirt, medal, squeezable blerch, magnets, stickers and other awesome little surprises. I heard great things about the actual race last year, so hope they keep the east coast race so I can run it in the future.

4. Your Local Turkey Trot (Wherever, You Are)

November 27, 2015

Reason to run: Run off the turkey in advance

Last year I ran my first turkey day race, the Chris Yung Memorial Turkey Trot. It was a great small race in Manassas. The benefit of running a turkey trot? You can pre-run off that Thanksgiving meal you're going to eat later in the day. I really enjoyed starting my day off with the race, then going home and enjoying a delicious meal. Thanksgiving is the perfect cure for runger. So find your local turkey trot and sign up. Evey where has one.

5. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (Orlando, Florida)

November 6 - 7, 2015
Reason to run: Running through Disney and awesome after party

I couldn't have this list without including a runDisney event, now could I? It was hard to choose which one, but I had to give Wine & Dine the edge over Avengers. The weekend includes two races, the first being Mickey's Jingle Jungle 5K. A Christmas themed Disney race?! Reason number 1 for this weekend getting the edge. The second race is the Wine & Dine Half Marathon, an evening race through the parks. The course traditionally includes 3 parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, when other halves at Disney only include 2 parks (Reason number 2 for this weekend). Finally, the main reason for it getting the edge over the Avengers, this race also includes and after party, the finish line party that includes the After-hours Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival. Yes, until 4 am you can enjoy the rides, characters, music and most importantly over 25 Epcot® International Food & Wine Festival kiosks.

Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: Courtney, Cynthia and Mar. Check their posts (Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up for What?! and Mar on the Run to see the full set of links). I will add some others, usually randomly, as I read them to share the love. Go visit and keep reading!


Our hosts:

Mar on the Run

Eat, Pray, Run DC

You Signed Up for What?!