Club Road Trip Possibilities

There are so many great runs in the world. Below are 2 within driving distance and 2 to fly to that I have selected for the HRBer's to consider for fall 2006 and early 2007 respectively. See the club message board for selection process details and don't forget that write in candidates welcome. We will discuss options at the April 23rd club meeting.

2006 menu

1) September 30, 2006 Lake Tahoe
Train at altitude like an elite. Chose from a marathon, half marathon, 20 miler, 2 or 5 person relay, 72 mile ultra or 3 marathons in three days if you are so inclined. And inclines there will be so be prepared to enjoy the view rather than your time. Trade the Houston humidity for the thin air. Continental flights to Reno currently $300. Walker friendly.
2) October 1, 2006 Twin Cities
Run the marathon with 10,500 or enter the lottery for one of the 5000 10 miler places. Runners World cites this as a marathon to build a vacation around and states: 'Rated by RW as America's "Most beautiful urban marathon," the Minneapolist-St. Paul gemstone-of-a-course offers 18 miles of tree-lined parkways, a tour of 3 really big city lakes, and bluff views of the Mississippi River--with 250,000 spectators bellowing encouragement. Nearly 25% of all finishers here qualify for Boston.' Flights to Minneapolis currently $390. Marathon registration begins on April 26 and sold out last year in 29 days. 6 hour time limit.
3) October 1, 2006 IBM Uptown Classic 10k Austin
Get some speed in before the longer distances ahead for the Houston Marathon warm-up series.
4) November 4, 2006 Mid-South Marathon and Half Marathon Arkansas
Long drive for us to what appears to be a well liked, well organized small rural marathon. Check out the rave reviews .

The key races I've worked around in Houston are as follows.

October 15, 2006 USA 10 miler
October 29, 2006 Koala/Luke's Locker Half Marathon (no longer a 20k)
November 19, 2006 HMSA 25k
December 9, 2006 Sunmart Texas Trail 50k
December 10, 2006 Houstonian Lite 30k
January 14, 2007 Houston Marathon

2007 menu

5) March 4, 2007 Little Rock
Seven weeks removed from the Houston Marathon should leave you ready for a marathon, marathon relay, half marathon or 5k within a long driving distance. Jon sure seemed to like it and it also receives great reviews. Bring your pickup to haul the massive medal home. Can't go wrong with this one.
6) April 2007 Oklahoma City
Marathon, half marathon, marathon relay and 5k are available to run at this event that is about 8 hours away by car. Good reviews, looks like a great choice.
7) April 2007 Country Music Marathon Nashville
Even if you are not a country music fan, the marathon or half marathon will have your feet dancing at this well regarded race. Post race concert, 28 entertainment stages, you'll be through before you know it.
8) April 2007 Big Sur Carmel CA
Run or walk along the famous Pacific Coast's Highway One, closed to vehicular traffic. Select between marathon, marathon relay, 21 mile run/walk or 9 and 10 mile walks. Your glutes will thank you for doing hill training in advance. No half marathon (separate race in October) and six hour time limit. Nothing but five star reviews for course and organization. This one is hard to beat, well situated likely at 15 weeks after Houston.

Honorable Mention: May 20. 2007 Bay to Breakers 12k San Francisco
Holds the record for the largest race with over 110,000 participants in 1986. Only 12k but rises 215 ft above sea level before finishing lower at Golden Gate Park.