Feb 20, 2015

Five Races to Run in 2015 | Friday Five

Man, it's been a chilly week in NoVA. The warmest day was the day after it snowed and was briefly into the 20's. Today is a record cold sort of day it's looking. I cannot wait until spring and racing season gets into full swing. Speaking of racing season, the topic for this week's Friday Five linkup is quite appropriate. This week's topic is


Five Races to Run in 2015

1. Rock 'n' Roll DC (Washington D.C.)

March 14, 2015
Reason to run: ME!

That's right, this race will be my kick off to the spring season. I'll be running the half marathon on March 14th with my sister, who will be tackling her first half marathon! They also offer a full marathon and a 5K distance. I'm really looking forward to this race. I've heard the course is pretty good: mostly flat with only one (albeit long) hill. It will also be my first RnR event, so looking forward to the music on the course. I also was given the race tent package as a birthday present from my sister, so will be enjoying my race like a rock star. So come on and join us. You can even get a discount from many of my online friends who are Rock 'n' Bloggers, such as Smitha that has her code in this week's Friday Five.

2. Pittsburgh Marathon (Pittsburgh, PA)

May 3, 2014
Reason to run: Run all the bridges!

Race number 2 is not a race I'm running this year, but one I plan to soon. It looks like such a fun and challenging course. They offer a full, half and relay team, 5K and kids options. The city is know for the rivers and it's bridges, and the course takes you across 5 of the bridges, giving you incredible views of the city. My wife went to school in Pittsburgh, we both have friends there, and both love the city. There are some really cool differences in the different neighborhoods of the city, which you see 13 of on the course. It's high on my "to run" list.
May 24, 2015
Reason to run: Also ME!

Yes, race number 3 is also and opportunity to run with me. But wait, there's more. You'll also get the opportunity to swim and bike with my as well! This will be my first triathlon ever (yet another reason) and I'll be running with Katie from Adventures by Katie (what, even more reasons?). Not enough yet? How about it's a great value too? Current registration fees? Just $50. They also offer relay and youth tri options. It's from one of my favorite local race organizers, Bristow Swim and Tri, so I'm really excited to see what their triathlon will be like.

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

October 18, 2015
Reason to run: It's Runner's World! Also, Bart Yasso

You probably already know, but Runner's World has their own Half Marathon and Festival. Didn't know? Well now you do. 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 first saw about this last year in a recap, with awesome pictures running by the steel stacks. Being PA born and raised, I really want to run this race. 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. Since runDisney dropped Tower of Terror 10 Miler this year, I may look to run this race this fall instead.

5. Roller Coaster Races (All over)

Dates based on location
Reason to run: Roller coasters, duh. And, don't even need to run.

This one I had two particular race series in mind: the Roller Coaster Race (with for me the Kennywood option) and the Run and Ride Race (with for me the Dorney Park option). Both offer the same general idea: run a race of various length at an amusement park then go ride some roller coasters (with discounted or free admission). Both are pretty cool, with the Dorney Park actually offering a half marathon length option. Neither however offer what I would want: a race course that requires a ride (or several) as part of the course. However, the Roller Coaster Race does provide an amazing option: the Roller Coaster Ride. This is where you earn a medal for riding 5K worth of roller coasters! How awesome is that?! That is bling I will earn some day (though I couldn't make the weekend for the Kennywood race this year).



Linking Up

Check here for some links out to others sharing, staring with our three lovely hosts: CourtneyCynthia 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?!


Some other good reads, pulled from the link up:

Run Away With Me

Fairy Tales and Fitness

Running with SD Mom






32 comments:

  1. definitely, definitely, definitely Pittsburgh! One of my favorites :)

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    1. It looks like so much fun. I definitely want to run the half, and maybe the full someday.

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  2. I thought that pic was the Cathedral of Learning! I'm running the Pittsburgh Half this year & am already planning on running the full in 2016 as my first full marathon. I would love to do the RW Half some year, but it conflicts with another half I do locally that I love. I had not heard of the roller coaster races! I am definitely going to check out the ones at Kennywood!

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    1. Yep, thought that would be a good picture. Great site to see of Pittsburgh. I definitely will run the half, and maybe the full one day too.

      Yeah, the Kennywood one looks really cool, and a good excuse to go to Kennywood.

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  3. John, my husband and I participated in the Runner's World Half & Festival in 2013; we had a BLAST! It was a great event and I loved all of the speakers that were present during the weekend. I would love to do the Pittsburgh Marathon, one of these days; it sounds like a great race. Thanks for sharing your list; hope you have a great weekend.

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    1. Good to hear about the RW festival. Makes me more excited for it.

      Have a great weekend too.

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  4. I want to do Pittsburgh sometime too, but not this year. I did Runner's world and the course was only okay but they put on a fantastic weekend with all the events they put on!

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    1. They look like they put on a good all around event there. I'd expect they'd have good speakers and all, being as they are Runner's World.

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  5. Good luck at RnR! I will be running the 5K. Pittsburg is on my bucket list. Waiting for RW to release their Boston dates... I think I may try that this year.

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  6. You are so awesome! When will we ever get a chance to meet? Let me know when you come out here to do that SD race! I want to at least meet you even if I don't race with you!

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    1. Thanks. Well I'll be sure to let you know when we make that cross country trek. Definitely will need to finally meet up then. :-)

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  7. I haven't heard of that tri-I am doing the Reston Sprint the next weekend or I would have joined you. I like the smaller ones bc I still get pretty anxious on the swim.

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    1. Very cool. I've seen the Reston Sprint too. The smaller events are very cool. I like the feel of them.

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  8. I'm surprised Disney races didn't make your list! I'm bummed that they dropped the ToT 10 miler too. I really loved that race and totally would have run it again. I guess I'll be waiting until next year to run a Disney race. I am also considering my first tri, so I'll have to come back and check out how yours goes! I'm a little nervous about the swimming part- I'm not a very good swimmer.

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    1. Haha, It was hard to leave them off, but since it was "races to run" I left them off since most of the races are already sold out. Now, as far as races to run in 2016, that's all 5 of them ;-)

      I'm very excited for my first tri, though a little nervous. Luckily still have plenty of time to get ready for it.

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  9. Awesome you are doing DC Rock N Roll! I would have done that one, but got into the NYC Half which is the same weekend. I've also heard great things about Pittsburgh. So cool you are doing your first Tri!! That is on my bucket list once I get swimming down better. I'm a horrible swimmer.

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    1. NYC is another place on my list of cities to run in.

      I've always been an ok swimmer, even though I havent swam much for a while. I'll need some work to get back in practice.

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  10. The Runner's world race does sound awesome!! Great list!!!

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  11. Pittsburgh Marathon is on my list to run in the next few years. Your list sounds fun!

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    1. Very cool. Maybe we'll see each other there, in a future year.

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    1. He is one of those people I think would be really cool to meet. Right up there with Jeff Galloway for me.

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    2. He is one of those people I think would be really cool to meet. Right up there with Jeff Galloway for me.

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  13. Oh, wow. That roller coaster series sounds right up my alley!

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    1. Yeah. It looks like a lot of fun. I also love the idea of getting a medal for riding.

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  14. Great list! Hope to see you at RNR DC! I really want to do the Runner's World weekend someday.Bart Yasso is awesome. I've met him several times, such a great guy!

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    1. Hope to get a chance to see you there. Super excited for it.

      Yeah, it looks like a great weekend and he seems like such a great guy.

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  15. The Runner's World Half Marathon sounds like a lot of fun! I'd love to run that one some day. Hope you get a chance to meet Bart, if you haven't already. He spoke at the VA Wine Country Half a couple of years ago. Nice guy!

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    1. I does look great. Meeting him would be great. Right up there with Jeff Galloway for me.

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  16. what??? a roller coaster run? now that is awesome! thanks for sharing that!!

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