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The Top Places To Run And Refuel In Miami, Fla.

Party in the city where the heat is on, all night on the beach to the break of dawn, welcome to Miami.

Will Smith may have had it right. Known for beautiful beaches, weather and delicious mojitos, Miami has become an endurance athlete’s paradise. Many people are visiting the city to take advantage of its warm weather winters and flat races. But that is not the only reason to plan a trip to this wonderful city.

As an alum of the U, I was lucky enough to live there for four years. So of course I have my favorite destinations. These are the top six places run the next time you visit Miami. Plus, if you are racing, we provided five restaurants to make sure you eat at and enjoy yourself.

Brickell and Brickell Key

Before you hit downtown Miami, you will go through a lovely part called Brickell. It’s a cute, fun area, with lots of apartments, businesses and young residents. Brickell also has some of the most wonderful views of the bay especially from Brickell Key, a one mile man-made island, that is perfect for a short loop.

Kennedy Park and South Bayshore

If you head on over to Coconut Grove, you will meet up with South Bayshore—a hidden gem. With old school Florida homes (stucco and lots of it), views of the water and marina, South Bayshore hooks up with Kennedy Park. There you will find lots of runners and walkers out on the weekend, taking in the sun and playing with their pets.

Rickenbacker Causeway and Key Biscayne

Want to climb the one hill in Miami? Head on over to the Rickenbacker Causeway and Key Biscayne. If you continue along South Bayshore, you will eventually run into the causeway that will take you over to Key Biscayne. This bridge has a shoulder for runners and cyclists and contains the only hill that you are technically allowed to ride on. In the morning it will be filled with many people running to get in those hill workouts in the very flat Miami neighborhoods.

South Pointe Park, Miami Beach boardwalk and South Beach

If you are making your way over to South Beach (which you should), this is a three-in-one recommendation. Head on over to South Pointe Park before you venture to the Miami Beach boardwalk. This is a cute little park, full of many runners and people taking advantage of the weather. This park leads to the official part of “South Beach” and its running paths. The paved path eventually turns into a boardwalk, but goes on for many blocks. Runners are treated to beautiful views of the ocean. Want to put those toes in the sand? You will find many other locals hitting the hard sand to get in their walks or runs. South Beach is beautiful but don’t be surprised if you see interesting individuals.[image error]

Venetian Causeway

A part of the Miami marathon course, this cute man-made chain of islands allows runners and cyclists to take advantage of its two lane road to get from downtown Miami to the beaches. Many people reside in this neighborhood and there is a toll booth to get onto the island, so in a gist it’s very private. The causeway takes runners into North Miami Beach.

University of Miami

Have to give a shout out to the alma mater. There is a three-mile paved route that goes around the university. This allows runners to take in all of the sites on campus. Plus it’s in Coral Gables, which is a beautiful and historic neighborhood.

The Best Restaurants For Runners

Looking for some local restaurants to chow down at? Try one of these amazing places.

Doraku: This sushi restaurant is located on Lincoln Road in South Beach. It’s my all time favorite place to go to before I race in Miami. The food is delicious. I highly recommend the red dragon roll!

The River: In the mood for some seafood? Check out this spot in South Miami. Wonderful local and organic options for seafood and a cute atmosphere. Plus the drinks are exquisite!

Balans: Who doesn’t love brunch, especially after a race? If you are in Brickell, make sure you visit Balans. Their brunch is to die for. On the weekends there are very long wait times, so reserve early!

Burger and Beer Joint: If you’re looking for a casual restaurant, Burger and Beer Joint has wonderful options to choose from. Despite the name, there are plenty of vegetarian dishes. As someone who doesn’t eat meat, this is a great place for everyone.

Greenstreet Café: Located in Coconut Grove, Greenstreet has delicious cocktails, dinner and brunch. A wonderful place to visit with a very cute, Parisian ambiance.

So as you can tell, I love Miami and it’s not just because of the school! Miami is a great city with a lot to offer, especially endurance events. Next time you visit, make sure you check out these running hotspots!

Related: Planning A Running Trip To Cuba

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New Research Reveals Which U.S. City Exercises The Most

Today, Gallup and Sharecare released their 2016 Community Rankings for Exercise. Part of the part of their joint State of American Well-Being series, they ranked 189 communities across the U.S. based on answers of respondents.

The final report states: “As part of the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, U.S. adults are asked: In the last seven days, on how many days did you exercise for 30 or more minutes? The community results vary widely—the top communities have more than 65% of their population exercising regularly, while the lowest communities have rates of 45% or less.”

Colorado and California swept the results, with five Colorado communities and six California communities appearing in the top 25. On the flip side, several of the lowest exercise communities are in Ohio, which has six communities in the bottom 25.

RELATED: The 20 Best Cities To Train For A Marathon

So which cities took top honors? Check out the gallery below and see if your city made the top five.

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Torrential Weather Forces Mid-Race Cancellation At Copenhagen Half

Featured photo via Copenhagen Half on Twitter

On Sunday at 11:15 a.m. local time, runners were greeted by sunny skies and a clear day at the start line of the Copenhagen Half Marathon. In fact, it looked like this:

IT’S ON! #cphhalf pic.twitter.com/XkngCCs6LS

— cphhalf (@cphhalf) September 17, 2017

Many runners had a smooth race day and according to The Local Denmark, the majority of runners had crossed the finish line. However, around 1 p.m. the weather took a turn for the worse—much worse—and after thirty minutes of rain, hail and lightning, race officials were forced to cancel the race.

RELATED: Don’t Fight The Weather, Deal With It

So, just how bad was it? Well, it looked like this:

The Copenhagen Half Marathon almost became a #MarathonSwim today. The timing mats were almost washed away from the finish #CPHHalf pic.twitter.com/RukofoXWSZ

— Marathon Swims (@MarathonSwims) September 17, 2017

Extreme flooding took place near the finish line—with timing mats even reportedly floating away—and the weather quickly became unsafe for runners. In fact, The Local Denmark was told that people were even struck by lightning.

“Three people—a runner, a photographer and a race volunteer—were hit by lightning, two seriously enough to be taken to hospital for treatment,” they reported.

Eventually the downpour stopped, though officials and safety personnel decided to completely close the course as more severe weather was expected to hit the area.

RELATED: Runner Struck By Lightning, Keeps On Running

Participants began sharing video on social media, particularly of the flooded finish line. Power had gone out on the big screen and officials did their best to help clear the area.

Det er en flod, der har dannet sig på Øster Alle i København. Stadig ingen strøm i målområdet. pic.twitter.com/s5CvWMpJNb

— Henrik Fallesen (@hfallesen) September 17, 2017

No further injuries were reported and social media and loudspeakers were able to relay the message that the race was cancelled. Danish news reported that roughly 20,000 runners were in the area and took part in the race.

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Determined Marathoner Rolls Across Finish Line After Collapsing

Photo: Devon Bieling

You’ve probably heard countless stories of runners who collapse just yards from the finish line only to be picked up and carried by other runners across the line. What you probably haven’t heard, however, is a story quite like this incredible marathon finish.

The viral video comes out of the (aptly named) Tunnel Vision Marathon in Washington last month, where Georgia runner Devon Bieling collapsed just yards from the finish, only to roll across the line with a smile on her face as onlookers cheer.

RELATED: Finishing A Race Under Your Own Power

The video was originally shared by Philip King, who said in his post: “I witnessed this lady’s body collapse 12 yards short of the finish line. She tried to get [back up], but couldn’t stand. After not being able to stand, she [began] to crawl. After crawling 3 or 4 feet, the sharp gravel rocks cut her knees until the pain wouldn’t allow her to crawl. So after falling out flat again she [began] to roll. She finished the whole 26.2 unassisted, even though she had to roll across the finish line.”

Bieling admitted in her own Facebook post that the video did embarrass her at first, but after seeing the positive comments, she became more humbled than anything.

RELATED: 5 Things To Consider About Running And Willpower

“I’ve decided the best way to describe this is “Fall seven times, stand up eight”… but if you can’t stand, crawl…and if crawling hurts, you remember Kona videos asap and you roll your ass to a BQ,” she said in the same post. “I know there are a lot of people worried about next weekend (Augusta 70.3), their first race, or things out of our control. Things don’t always go as planned, but you don’t give up. You find or make a way to move forward.”

Support has been pouring in for Bieling as the story makes its rounds, with runners inspired by her grit and tenacity.

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The NorCal Distance Project Team Disbands

Photo: @Drew_Wartenburg

The Sacramento-based NorCal Distance Project has disbanded, according to a statement from head coach and founder Drew Wartenburg. He made the announcement over the weekend on social media.

Heavy hearted that this chapter of the NorCal Distance Project has come to an end, but ready to move forward with renewed perspective! pic.twitter.com/WmXBI2yGjH

— Drew Wartenburg (@Drew_Wartenburg) September 16, 2017

“Back to basics, but heavy hearted that this chapter of the NorCal Distance Project has come to a close,” Wartenburg shared on Instagram. “I’m ready to move on with renewed perspective to what awaits. Good fortune to the athletes that have been part of this team’s accomplishments.”

At its peak, the NorCal Distance project was home to talented female distance and middle distance stars. However many of them have moved on from the team in recent months. In August, Olympian Kate Grace announced she was leaving. She signed with Nike back in January.

800-meter runner Lauren Wallace recently retired from the sport. Leah O’Conner, a two-time NCAA champion for Michigan State, posted on Instagram that she was returning home the same day Wartenburg made his announcement.

Wartenburg is married to two-time Olympian Kim Conley. He is expected to continue to coach her. Next steps are unknown for Lianne Farber and Rachel Mitchell, two other athletes associated with the group.

Related: Edward Cheserek Joins Sketchers Performance Elite Roster

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Check Out The Adventure And Luxury Of The Camelbak Pursuit Series

If you’ve ever looked back wistfully upon your summer camp days or perhaps didn’t get to attend when you were a kid, it’s not to late to relive or recreate your childhood, but without the bad camp food and adolescent angst! The Camelbak Pursuit Series launched two events this year, with more planned for 2018. Part adventure camp, part luxury, it has a just-right mix of high adventure fun and low-key activities, meaning you and your dirty laundry return home fully recharged.

RELATED: 6 Adult Running Camp Escapes To Recharge Your Running

With an extensive list of activities from crafting camp cocktails to how to pack your backpack, backcountry first aid and rock climbing, farm to table meals, live music, s’mores and even story telling the Pursuit Series truly have something for everyone. Even better, you do the events you want to do for a custom experience. And yes, there’s running, plenty of it. But, there are so many other amazing things to try, and camp provides a safe place to learn and progress.

I attended the event outside of San Francisco. It ran Friday through Sunday, but I arrived Thursday so I was ready to jump into the fun first thing Friday morning. Scroll through to learn more about the weekend.

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Runner Suits Up And Sets A New Guinness World Record

Photo: Steve Christo (via Sydney Morning Herald)

This past weekend, two Australian men woke up and dressed to the nines…for a marathon. The Sydney Running Festival saw two participants in a three-piece suit—jacket, vest and tie required—chasing down a Guinness World Record.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that 25-year-old Matt Whitaker—a lawyer by day—succeeded. Although his race was eight minutes short of a PR, his time of 02:44:29 was fast enough to secure a new Guinness World Record. The previous record was set in 2013 by Joe Elliott in 02:58:03.

RELATED: Weirdest Guinness World Record 100m Races

According to the Herald, the rules stated that the buttons on the dress shirt, vest and jacket had to be done up to the very top throughout the entire race. Dress shoes were not required. He did a few training runs in a suit, but it didn’t fully prepare him for how he would feel on race day.

“I think the three different layers caught up with me by the end of it. I was expecting the pants to be pretty horrible, but the top half was worse in the end,” Whitaker told the paper. “I’ll see if anyone else has a crack at it. I probably won’t be doing that same one again.”

The Herald shared that the other runner who suited up was Michael Tozer who was a charity runner. Tozer previously set a half marathon world record for running in a suit at last year’s Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival Half Marathon in Sydney. In that race he beat the world record by three seconds, in 01:18:10.

RELATED: Man Sets Half Marathon World Record Wearing A Business Suit

This year has been a big one for Guinness World Records in running—at the Virgin Money London Marathon in April, 40 different records were set (with 73 total registered attempts). Records included the ‘Fastest Marathon Wearing Wellington Boots’ and ‘Fastest Marathon In A Sleeping Bag.’

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Military Veteran Shares The Significance Of The Marine Corps Marathon

Officer Matt Haviland was on patrol several weeks ago when he stopped to grab a cup of coffee from a local truck stop in Indiana. He noticed a man in a wheelchair crossing the parking lot with a desert camouflage backpack who appeared to be former military. The two struck up a conversation and Haviland—an army veteran—learned the man served 16 years, which included multiple combat deployments before a catastrophic training injury left him paralyzed.

He also learned the man is now part of an adaptive U.S. Olympic water sports team.

RELATED: Q&A With The Veteran Who Went Viral For His 2017 Boston Marathon Finish

These are the stories that motivate Haviland and serve as a catalyst for why he joined up with Team REVolution, the Paralyzed Veterans of America’s (PVA) endurance fundraising program. Through them, he’ll be running this year’s 42nd Marine Corps Marathon on October 22 in Arlington, Va.

“I stood there and talked to him for about 45 minutes—he and I were military veterans so we had a common bond and I had the chance to tell him what I am doing and ask him about PVA,” said Haviland, who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2006. “Right away he said that they are top tier—they do a lot of really good services for veterans which helped validate what I was doing. And it made me feel really good about it because he had nothing but positive things to say.”

Haviland during his time in the military.

This is the first year Team REVolution is participating in the MCM and the 40 spots filled quickly, according to a spokesperson for the organization. The minimum amount a team member needs to raise is $600 dollars. Haviland has currently raised $2,300 dollars through word-of-mouth in his community, where he is a very active member. His daughter’s softball teams, which he helps coach, came together and made a big donation as well.

Haviland, 43, is a busy guy—he is a father of five, a small business owner and a former multi-sport athlete. Running for a cause brings together all the different aspects of his life for one important common goal.

“I had talked to one of the representatives at PVA and they asked me why I chose them and if I had a special connection to a paralyzed veteran and I didn’t,” explained Haviland. “I was fortunate enough that none of my buddies that I know of first hand experienced anything like that. In the aftermath, I see all these wounded veterans, these injured veterans and I just wanted to support them. I’m actually kind of empowered by them. It’s motivating to get to talk to them.”

Running has always been in Haviland’s family. His father ran several marathons in the 70’s and 80’s and also coached cross-country and track and field, among other sports. And his mother just qualified for the Senior Olympics in the 5K at the age of 63.

Haviland training for this year’s race.

“I ran my first Marine Corps Marathon in 2011 and I have not run a marathon since then,” admitted Haviland. “I actually ran that marathon with my college roommate who is a former marine and he turned me on to it. And after going there and experiencing that event I couldn’t see myself running in anything else.”

RELATED: 5 Places To Run In Washington, D.C.

Haviland’s path to military service was another family tradition.

“I joined the military just prior to 9/11,” said Haviland. “I always felt there was something missing, and at the time I had my college degree and I wanted to go back and lead soldiers. So in early 2000, I decided to sign up for the reserves—my dad was a Vietnam veteran, my grandfather was a World War II veteran so that was always part of my life and I felt like I could do more. So I wanted to partake in that and then 9/11 happened and it put us all to work.”

Working with PVA has allowed Haviland to combine his love for running with his desire to give back to those who have sacrificed themselves for our country.

“It has been a phenomenal experience up to this point,” said Haviland. “These men and women who have served, whether they were injured in combat, they were injured while in the service or an illness that had occurred afterward, they are deserving of so much more—we probably cant give enough. We owe them a great debt of gratitude and what a great opportunity to not only challenge yourself and do a spectacular event but also to benefit a worthy cause.”

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Mystery Runner Won’t Stop Publicly Pooping Around Colorado Town

A mystery woman in Colorado Springs, Colo. is giving runners a pretty crappy reputation. According to local CBS affiliate KKTV, this runner has been defecating outside the house of resident Cathy Budde for the past seven weeks. Even worse—her children first spotted the woman.

Budde and her family have caught the runner at least three times. However, this has not stopped this mystery runner. She continues to leave waste behind at least once a week. The woman has gone so far as to change her running schedule to avoid prying eyes. The community has nicked named her “The Mad Pooper.”

RELATED: Porta-Potty Etiquette For Runners

Budde thinks the act is intentional, even if she is unsure who the woman is.

“I put a sign on the wall that’s like ‘please, I’m begging you, please stop.’ … She ran by it like 15 times yesterday, and she still pooped,” Budde told KKTV.

The family turned to the police and the media in an effort to identify the woman. After Budde started sharing her frustration, other neighborhood residents came forward, saying the runner has relieved herself in their backyard and a local Walgreen’s parking lot. If caught, the runner faces charges of indecent exposure and public defecation.

The most baffling aspect of this woman’s behavior is that there are public restrooms available in the area. Budde identified a local park and a gas station nearby, among others.

“There’s plenty of public restrooms less than a block away from where she’s targeting,” Budde shared with KKTV. “This is intentional.”

RELATED: Why Do I Have To Poop When I Run?

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Over 5,000 Runners Disqualified From The Mexico City Marathon

Photo: maratoncdmx.com

Last month over 29,000 runners crossed the start line of the Mexico City Marathon and, in an unbelievable turn of events, 5,806 of those runners would later be disqualified for cheating. Thanks to Marathon Investigation, we have a better idea of just what the heck happened.

There were a total of eight timing mats out on the course—placed roughly every 5K—and after some digging, Marathon Investigation found that 36 percent of the field missed at least one timing mat (most of which took place at the beginning of the course).

RELATED: What Motivates Some Runners To Cheat?

Shortly after the August 27 race, a Facebook page began sharing photos of alleged cheaters cutting the course; photos that have edited out the runners’ faces. Runners were accused both of cutting the course by riding the subway and bib muling for other runners.

The Boston Athletic Association has been notified of the results; Marathon Investigation points out that 69 percent of the runners who qualified for Boston on the course missed at least one timing mat, 62 percent missed at least two and 58 percent missed at least three. Because over 64 percent of the total participants didn’t miss any timing mats, it seems unlikely there was a glitch or error in their timing system.

Marathon Investigation even broke down results and splits from past years compared with this year and found glaring errors. They report:

“For example: the first runner shown finished the race in 3:09:45, but took 45:41 to traverse the last 1.4 miles. That same runner finished the 2016 Mexico City Marathon in over 6 hours.”

RELATED: Many Athletes Could Lose World Records Under New Guidelines

It is natural to assume after looking at these results that the runners were just hoping to get a BQ, right? Well, an additional theory has been presented that runners actually did it for the medal. Each year, the medal has been a different letter to eventually spell out ‘Mexico’ and according to Marathon Investigation, this year, runners would get the ‘C’ to add to the collection.

Regardless of why they cheated, race officials did remove runners in question when submitting results to the BAA and released a statement with a breakdown of the total athletes who completed the race fairly.

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