RUN IT COMMUNITY 71 WHERE AND WHEN TO RACE Prepare for the fall racing season by running one of these popular mid- to end-of-summer races. Whether you’re looking to PR or simply want to experience a fun and epic race, we’ve selected events for all types of sweat-breaking goals. Make sure to mark these on your calendars. For a complete race calendar, go to Competitor.com/calendar TSON R OM ROBE T PHOTO: PHOTO: Missoula Marathon RUN IT 72 COMMUNITY MARATHONS/HALF MARATHONS HATFIELD MCCOY HALF MARATHON GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN MARATHON MISSOULA MARATHON June 13; Matewan, W.V. July 11; Boone, N.C. July 12; Missoula, Mont. Hatfieldmccoymarathon.net Hopeformorrow.org Missoulamarathon.org Learn about the Hatfield and McCoy family feud This race takes place during the Mountain Highland For the most part this marathon course is flat and while running 13.1 miles near the Blackberry Games, the largest Scottish Games held in America fast—except for the hill at the halfway point—which Mountains and Tug River. Along the course you’ll and second largest in the world. It’s also consid- makes it a great BQ race. It’s also an incredibly run past historic sites that tell the story of the in- ered one of the toughest marathons in the nation scenic course that starts in Missoula’s mountainous famous feud and briefly crossover into Kentucky. as it climbs more than 1,000 feet in elevation and countryside and ends in the heart of downtown Now in its 15th running, this half has grown in winds through the scenic valleys of the Blue Ridge along the Clark Fork River. Plus, your race entry popularity from 13 runners when it was first held Mountains. With a cutoff time of 6 hours, there’s includes delicious post-race summer treats such in 2000 to thousands of participants today. little room for walking on this point-to-point course. as pasta salad, watermelon and frozen juice bars. Rock n Roll Chicago IES R E S ATHON ATHON R A M K ‘n’ Roll ‘n’ Roll K C TESY OF RO TESY R PHOTO: COU PHOTO: RUN IT 74 COMMUNITY MARATHONS/HALF MARATHONS ROCK ‘n’ ROLL CHICAGO HALF THE SANTA ROSA MARATHON SUNRIVER MARATHON FOR A CAUSE July 19; Chicago Aug. 23; Santa Rosa, Calif. Sept. 6; Bend, Ore. Runrocknroll.com/chicago Thesantarosamarathon.com Sunrivermarathon.com A race and concert experience in one event, you’re Another flat and fast BQ course, this small-town Only in its fifth running, the single-loop marathon sure to stay energized for 13.1 miles through Chi marathon captures Sonoma County’s wine country has become a popular charity race hosted just Town. With views of the city skyline, Lake Michigan charm. At mile 10 marathoners run through one 15 miles south of Bend off of Highway 97. All and the Chicago River, this racecourse also offers of the colorful wine barrel and fermenting rooms race proceeds help benefit St. Charles Cancer several misting stations and popsicle handouts of DeLoach Vineyard and Winery. Finishers also Services. Mostly run on paved pathways, the course that’ll keep runners cool despite the summer heat. receive a custom bottle of DeLoach wine along winds through residential areas in the Crosswater, Complete the festive vibe with a beer garden and with their race medal. Caldera Springs and Sunriver communities with a musical performance by Andy Grammer. less than 50 feet of elevation loss or gain. Santa Rosa Marathon PHOTOS G TIVATIN P TESY OF CA TESY R PHOTO: COU PHOTO: RUN IT 76 COMMUNITY 5K TO 15K BELLIN 10K RUN BOILERMAKER 15K BIX 7 June 13; Green Bay, Wis. July 12; Utica, N.Y. July 25; Davenport, Iowa Bellinrun.com Boilermaker.com Bix7.com When the first Bellin 10K was held in 1977, it was One of the most competitive road races in the A premier road race in the Midwest, this 7-miler supposed to be a one-time event celebrating an world, the Boilermaker 15K has attracted numer- also boasts one of the largest non-marathon cash addition to the Bellin Hospital to promote cardio- ous elite participants, including four-time Boston prize purses in the nation of $12,500. The hardest vascular fitness.T his year, the race will be hosting Marathon champion Bill Rodgers, who won the and steepest part of the race, though, is at the its 38th run and has become a yearly tradition. race in 1983. Although the race still has a strong onset up Brady Street hill with a 9 percent grade Unlike most races, the Bellin Run distributes medals elite field every year, the popular event welcomes for about a third of a mile. Once you’re past that, every five years to keep race costs low, so there runners of all skill levels. it’s smooth sailing to the finish line. will be no finishers’ medals available this year. Bix 7 E R IMES/ZUMA WI IMES/ZUMA T -CITY -CITY D TESY OF QUA TESY R EMS, COU EMS, BR OUIS L PHOTO: PHOTO: RUN IT 78 COMMUNITY 5K TO 15K THE EVERGREEN TOWN RACE BOWERMAN 5K DISNEYLAND 10K Aug. 2; Evergreen, Colo. Aug. 15; Beaverton, Ore. Sept. 5; Anaheim, Calif. Evergreentownrace.org Bowermantc.com Rundisney.com Choose between a 5K or 10K in this peaceful lake- Named after Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike A part of the Disneyland Half Marathon week- side race located just 15 miles west of Denver. A and coach to iconic runner Steve Prefontaine, end, this is arguably the happiest 10K on earth. fast, mostly downhill course that follows Upper the race will be held within the Nike World Participants dress up in their favorite Disney Bear Creek and finishes near Evergreen Lake, Headquarters. This year runners will experience character costume as they make their way from runners can expect to shave several minutes off a new course that’s guaranteed to produce faster the Anaheim Convention Center through both their PR. times and attract a more competitive field. California Adventure and Disneyland parks until they reach the Disneyland Hotel. Disneyland 10K K 10 D TESY OF DISNEYLAN TESY R PHOTO: COU PHOTO: RUN IT RUN IT 80 COMMUNITY COMMUNITY 81 TRAIL TRAIL BARR TRAIL MOUNTAIN RACE GRAND ISLAND TRAIL MARATHON TWILIGHT TRAIL ADVENTURE TWISTED BRANCH 100K ULTRA TAMALPA HEADLANDS 50K VOLCANIC 50 July 19; Manitou Springs, Colo. July 25; Munising, Mich. Aug. 8; Auburn, Calif. Aug. 29; Naples, N.Y. Aug. 29; Muir Beach, Calif. Sept. 5; Mount St. Helens, Wash. Barrtrailmountainrace.com Greatlakesendurance.com Twilighttrailadventure.com Twistedbranchtrail.com Headlands50K.com Gobeyondracing.com The first half of the 12.6-mile course ascends Pikes Enjoy a breezy summer run along the perimeter This nighttime event provides a safe and fun course An escape from the city, this ultra trail race explores Coastal, Miwok, Steep Ravine and the Dipsea trails Rugged and remote, this 50K provides a spectac- Peak’s iconic Barr Trail, gaining 3,630 feet before of Michigan’s Grand Island in Lake Superior, off of that allows runners of all abilities to experience the Finger Lakes Trail system in the forested areas on the lower flanks of Mt. Tamalpais combine to ular view of Mount St. Helens. The course consists turning around at Barr Camp to make the second Munising Bay. Long stretches of beach, 300-foot trail running in the dark. Starting as late as 9 p.m., of upstate New York. The course covers a small make up this single-loop trail race in Marin County. of singletrack trails circumnavigating the active half’s descent. Due to its competitive nature, this sandstone cliffs and lush green forests make up runners have the option between a 5K or 10K. The portion of the expansive 950 miles of hiking paths From singletrack trails with ocean views to climbing volcano that run over lava and pumice fields, cross grueling event is also a qualifying race for the Pikes the sights of this course as runners make their way post-race party includes live music, neon lights, including branch trails within the system, but is stairs deep within aging redwood forests, the scen- rivers and pass through dense forests with an over- Peak Marathon and Ascent. Plus, the post-race around the island. One participant even described pizza and an Italian soda bar. carefully marked to ensure entrants remain on ery is constantly changing as participants cover all elevation change of 7,400 feet. party is hosted at a local brewery, which includes the lake “as clear and aqua blue as the Caribbean,” the correct path. 7,300 feet of total elevation change. a free beer and 20 percent discount on food. making it the perfect summer race getaway. Grand Island Trail Marathon Volcanic 50 ATHON R A M AIL AIL TR D HY P A SLAN I GR D AN R ELSON PHOTO TESY OF G TESY N R PHOTO: COU PHOTO: PAUL PHOTO: RUN IT 82 COMMUNITY INTERNATIONAL Click here for a complete race calendar. BAY OF FUNDY MARATHON ISLANDSBANKI REYKJAVIK MARATHON JUNGFRAU MARATHON June 28; Lubec, Maine Aug. 22; Reykjavik, Iceland Sept. 12; Interlaken, Switzerland Bayofundymarathon.com Marathon.is/reykjavik-marathon Jungfrau-marathon.ch This out-and-back course starts in the U.S. at West With temperatures in the low 60s, this race will be No amount of hill training will prepare you for the Quoddy Head in Lubec, Maine, but then crosses a nice change from the sweltering heat of most epic ascent in this legendary European mountain over into New Brunswick, Canada, for about 8 miles summer marathons.