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19 Challenging Yet Stunning Trail Races to Run in 2017

 Golden Leaf Half Marathon, Photo: Palmalyn K. Simich

The big appeal of trail running is the amazing terrain and the stunning views. Sure, the challenge, social scene, personalities and unique bits of schwag are all great, too. But courses that show off raw, natural beauty only accessible by trails is what’s most memorable. Here’s a look at some of the country’s best off-road races

RELATED: 5 Pro Tips on Moving Up to Ultras

Orcas Island 25K

Jan. 28, Orcas Island, Wash.

Rainshadowrunning.com

This 25K course takes runners around gorgeously green Orcas Island, one of the San Juan Islands in the Puget Sound off the coast of Washington State. Mount Constitution, at 2,410 feet, stands between you and the finish line (but hands you epic views with the climb).

Catalina Island Marathon

March 11, Catalina Island, Calif.

Spectrumsportsevents.com

Now it its 40th year, this is the oldest trail marathon in California. Similar to the Catalina Eco Marathon held in November (and organized by the same race group), this race sends runners on the rugged dirt fireroads and trails of Santa Catalina Island, 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles. The races—a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K and kids’ run—climb up in the hills of the island, providing 360-degree views of the surrounding Pacific.

 

Gorge Waterfalls 50K/100K, Photo: Glen Tachiyama

Gorge Waterfalls 50K/100K

March 25 or April 8, Columbia River Gorge, Ore.

Rainshadowrunning.com

There are other scenic races in the state of Oregon, delivering on dense forests, soft trails, moss, ferns and more. But these races—both the 50K and the 100K—serve up the added bonus of passing by numerous waterfalls to offer a truly unique experience. The route skirts the base of the Cascade Mountains above the mighty Columbia River.

XTERRA Oak Mountain Trail Runs

May 21, Pelham, Ala.

Xterraplanet.com

Pristine singletrack nestled within Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham welcomes runners to this trail running race festival, with three distances to choose from—.20K, 10K or 5K. The course meanders along a lakeshore and dips into densely wooded forest.

Sehgahunda Trail Marathon

May 27, Mount Morris, N.Y.

Yellowjacketracing.com

If your idea of beauty lies in focusing your attention on the gnarly, rooty, rocky trail before your eyes and passing over numerous gullies, then this race in Upstate New York is your ticket. The course runs through the Genesee River Valley (known as the “Grand Canyon of the East”) in Lechworth State Park, old stomping ground of the Seneca People. Not sure you can handle the full marathon? Consider running it as a relay with some of your running buddies.

Double Dipsea

June 17, Mill Valley, Calif.

Brazenracing.com

The Double Dipsea doubling the scenery of the legendary Dipsea, along with the distance. The 14.1-mile course climbs and descends through dense forests lined with firs, and pines, and delivers on views of the Pacific Ocean, if you can see straight after a couple monster climbs. The Double course hits the beach and heads back up.

Crow Pass Crossing

July 22, Girdwood, Alaska

Alaskamountainrunners.org

Run amid the Alaska wild in late July, this race is takes place on the rugged Crow Pass National Historic Trail in Chugach State Park, north of Alyeska and southeast of Anchorage. This challenging 22.5-mile race offers up a tour of the Eagle Glacier, forging across the Eagle River partway through and ends at the Eagle River Nature Center.

Jupiter Peak Steeplechase

July 29, Park City, Utah

Mountaintrails.org

Park City in the summer—bright sun shining on deep green trees, breezes making the aspens flitter. The massive climb and descent (3,000 feet) of this 16-mile race means a hearty dose of pain, but it also means massive views of the Wasatch mountains. Park City’s Mid Mountain Marathon is held in September and also ridiculously scenic.

Tahqua Trail Run

Aug. 5, Paradise, Mich.

Greatlakesendurance.com

Run along the Tahquamenon River to the famed North Country Trail and past the lower Tahquamenon Falls before finishing near the Upper Falls in the 25K. The 10K starts at the Lower Falls and finishes near the Upper Falls (it’s a one-way course). Both routes pass through dense old-growth forests.

Ragnar Trail Appalachians

Aug. 11–12, Bruceton Mills, W.V.

Runragnar.com

This relay-format race pits teams of eight or four against each other, all based out of a camp home base at Big Bear Lake to refuel and hang out by a communal bonfire, with music and all. Runners take turns of 14.6 or 29.2 miles hitting soft and pristine trail loops through dense forests in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains.

Breck Crest

Aug. 26, Breckenridge, Colo.

Mavsports.com

Summit County, Colorado serves up some impressive high-mountain trails and views of surrounding peaks and valleys, and Breck Crest captures all of it. The Marathon stays high for miles, while the Half climbs and descends—but not before a huge dose of Rocky Mountain high.

 

The Rut, Photo: Ian Corless

The Rut

Sept. 1–3, Big Sky Resort, Mont.

Runtherut.com

This three-day mountain running event isn’t just another a goofy fun run. It’s part of the Skyrunner World and USA competition series—the terrain is super challenging. It includes a 50K, 12K and a Vertical Kilometer amid big mountains and big skies. But the race maintains a sense of humor too, advising spectators that “an orange camo vest and nothing else” is acceptable on-course attire.

Emerald Bay Trail Run

Sept. 17, Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Tahoetrailrunning.com

There’s an increasing number of great trail running races in the Tahoe area, but this 7.5-mile one takes the cake for beauty with its point-to-point course. The trail undulates alongside crystal blue Lake Tahoe and by breathtaking Emerald Bay before finishing on the sandy shore.

Golden Leaf Half Marathon

Sept. 23, Aspen, Colo.

Goldenleafrace.com

A one-way course in the Colorado high country during prime leaf-peeping season? It’s enough to keep the Golden Leaf Half Marathon on our list two-years running. This past year’s race was cancelled due to snow and mud, so  racers will be champing at the bit more than usual this year.

Trapp Lodge Mountain Marathon

Oct. 14, Stowe, Vt.

Trappmountainmarathon.com

It’s hard to beat fall leaves in Vermont. The mid-October timing of this marathon and half delivers on beauty in spades, and the gorgeous trails of the Green Mountains both challenge runners and make the miles fly by. Add to all that the hub of the race: the Trapp Lodge (yes, of the family Von Trapp), and this race is a winner.

 

Xterra Kapalua Trail Runs, Photo: Xterraplanet.com

Xterra Kapalua Trail Runs

Oct. 21, Oahu, Hawaii

Xterraplanet.com

Based out of the Ritz Carlton on gorgeous Kapalua Beach on Maui’s west shore, this one-day race festival with a 10K, 5K, 2.5K and a “Keiki K” for the little ones climbs to 700 feet with views of nearby islands Molokai and Lanai. The combination of a sandy beach, ocean and island views, and running through Hawaiian forest trails is hard to beat.

Moab Trail Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Adventure Run

Nov. 4–5, Moab, Utah

Moabtrailmarathon.com

The headliner—the marathon—here serves as the USATF Trail Marathon National Championships, but it’s the rugged and adventurous course that’s the star. Traversing Moab, Utah’s desert landscape, with slick rock, dusty washes, and all that comes with the wild of the desert, the races don’t disappoint.

Mountain Masochist

Nov. 4, Lynchburg, Va.

Eco-xsports.com

This hearty 50-miler sends runners over hill and dale, and hill again throughout rugged and beautiful trails between Lynchburg and Montebello, Virginia. Trails wind through the George Washington National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains, serving up a mix of dense forest terrain and epic eastern mountain views.

Surfing Madonna Run

Nov. 5, Encinitas, Calif.

Surfingmadonnarun.org

Yes, a sandy beach counts as a trail. This event, which includes a 10-miler, a 10K and a 5K, is run entirely on the sand in Encinitas, north of San Diego. November weather is like it is most days in the San Diego area: usually in the 70s and sunny. The race’s start time changes each year to coincide with low tide for plenty of flat, hard, sand-running surface.

RELATED: 25 Must-Do American Marathons in 2017

The post 19 Challenging Yet Stunning Trail Races to Run in 2017 appeared first on Competitor.com.

5 Pro Tips on Moving Up to Ultras

Meredith Edwards, Photo: The Wolpertinger

Ultrarunner/ski mountaineer Meredith Edwards knows a thing or two about going long distances in the mountains. The 32-year-old from Wilson, Wyo., finished second at the 2016 TDS, a 119-kilometer trail race through the heart of the Alps in parts of Italy, Switzerland and France. In 2015, she finished eighth in the 101K CCC race held on similar trails. This year she has her sights set on the 170K Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc on Sept. 1-2. Here are Edwards’ tips on how to successfully jump into ultrarunning.

RELATED: Overcoming the Myths of Ultrarunning

1. Start slow.

“Run 50Ks,” says Edwards, who laments that too many people pick a 50-miler, 100K or even a 100-miler for their first foray into ultrarunning. Take time to build a base over 6 to 8 months, focusing on gradually increasing your weekly long runs runs to 3 to 6 hours in length and on trails, if possible. “I think it’s smart to start slow,” she says, “to build a solid foundation.”

2. Learn to recover.

“If you can’t recover just as hard as you put the effort in, you’re screwed,” says Edwards, who explains the importance of running fast on the days you need to run fast, and on the days that you’re just out putting in mileage, to run a relaxed effort. Edwards says she often runs with heart rate as her gauge, and warns that runners who think they need to be running fast all the time might see success for a month, but often burn out.

3. Get Stronger.

Edwards, who’s proud to say she can deadlift twice her bodyweight and do five conventional weighted pull-ups (with 15 pounds in tow), is a huge proponent of strength training—and full-body movements in particular. The most important thing is building functional strength—by strengthening the muscle groups related to your running motion. “My strength coach always says, ‘Strength equals speed over time.’ You need to be strong to run fast over distance.” Edwards credits her strength training for helping her stay injury-free.

4. Eat. A lot.

Edward’s regular diet is what she calls “as clean as possible,” in other words, free of processed foods. The trend is to reduce carbs and focus more on protein and fat, but she recommends doing what works for you. “When I want bread, I’ll buy a baguette. I don’t limit what I eat.” During ultras, she relies on gels, chews, waffles and soup. And she explains how she and ultrarunner friend Jim Walmsley joke that “ultrarunning is an eating contest. I eat every 30 minutes during a race.” As an added tip, train with whatever fuel you’re going to race with, and if your system doesn’t agree with it, change things up and try again.

5. Break up the week.

Edwards believes in a structured week . She typically fits a track workout, two weight training workouts, two high-mileage days and some recovery runs all into a typical week of training during ultrarunning season. On Mondays, when she does up to 12 miles of speed work on the track, she hits the gym afterward (so the running workout was the emphasis of her week). She returns to the gym on Wednesdays, sometimes before a running effort, like hill repeats on trail. Tuesdays and Thursdays are recovery runs. Fridays and Saturdays are long runs (back-to-back high mileage). Sundays are days off. The formula has worked for her. “I’m at a point where I’m making gains, and not lifting to repair injuries,” she says. “I’m the strongest I’ve ever been, and the fastest I’ve ever been. It’s all kind of come together.”

The post 5 Pro Tips on Moving Up to Ultras appeared first on Competitor.com.

Sneak Peek: A Look at New Outdoor Running Gear for 2017

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Product development never ends, especially when it comes to running gear. We cruised the aisles of the Salt Palace Convention Center at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market Jan. 9-12 to see the latest and greatest shoes, clothes and accessories that will be coming out this spring, summer and fall. Scroll through for some of our favorite finds for the year.

RELATED: 25 Running Shoes You’ll Want to Check Out in 2017

The post Sneak Peek: A Look at New Outdoor Running Gear for 2017 appeared first on Competitor.com.

4 Tips to Control Pre-Race Anxiety

Throughout his career Pat Henner, here prepping some of his former collegiate runners for a race, has made it a point to help runners reduce anxiety before races to optimize their performances.

For weeks on end, the alarm clock has jarred you awake for your morning run. You’ve cleaned up your diet, planned weekends around training and swapped happy hour for yoga. Now, with the race just days or hours away, the hard work is done, yet a thorny dilemma persists. You feel an anxiety that threatens not only your race performance, but even worse, your love of running. As negative thoughts take over and pre-race anxiety builds, the challenge you should be eager to meet instead looms darkly on the horizon.

How do you control that anxiety and harness the power of your mind to tap that wealth of fitness you’ve built? We caught up with Pat Henner, a successful coach who has helped thousands of runners optimize their mental game.

With 30 years of coaching experience Henner has coached 160 Division I All-American athletes, and recently had four runners break the 4-minute mile barrier in the same race. Now on a motivational speaking tour across the country, Henner helps runners of all persuasions to optimize mental performance.

Formerly the director of track and cross country at Georgetown University, Henner notes that while physical training is important, his championship teams were ultimately distinguished by their level of mental preparation. Much of his philosophy is grounded in this performance/arousal curve.

On the left side of the curve lies lethargy, and to the right is the fiery pit of crash-and-burn anxiety. Balanced between the two extremes is your optimal mental state. Though beautiful in its simplicity and potentially transformative, getting to this place is a journey that takes work for most us. Here are some tips from Henner on how to get there.

1. Pinpoint your mental state.

The arousal curve is important for every race distance. Learn to shift your curve accordingly—further to the right for shorter distances, and back left for longer efforts.

2. Don’t over-think it.

Spend too much time contemplating your race and you can go over the top, into a state of anxiety resulting in muscle-tension destructive to breathing, stride patterns, and technique. Try reserving just one 5–10-minute time-slot during your day to visualize race strategy.

3. Process over outcome.

By focusing on goals like final time or place, an anxiety-producing fear of failure can take root. Once you establish those goals, use your designated time slot to consider the strategy and tactics that will enable you to execute effectively.

4. Be ready to hurt.

Instead of dreading the pain and pushing yourself into anxiety, know that it’s coming and flip the script by affirming that the moments you have trained for have arrived. Mentally embrace the physical anguish that comes with running hard, trust your training and power through it.

Every runner will integrate these concepts differently, depending on their experience and where they fall on the curve as a race approaches. Before you head into your next race, run through this checklist of tips to put yourself in an optimal mental state so you can maximize your performance.

RELATED: Is Your Mental Game Keeping You from a Time Goal?

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Runners Assist Injured 73-Year-Old Man to the Finish at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

John Wilkie, 73, tripped over a spectator's stroller near the 13-mile mark and fell hard, but was quickly helped off the ground by Nathanael Dillard (right) and Colin Jackson (left). Photo: MarathonFoto/Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series

No doubt a faint scar will form inches above John Wilkie’s left eyebrow. There will probably be discoloration on his left elbow and left knee as well—battle scars courtesy of the tumble the 73-year-old Wilkie took at Sunday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon.

Wilkie tripped over a spectator’s stroller just shy of the 13-mile mark. Immediately to his rescue came Nathanael Dillard and Colin Jackson. Dillard was running the race, Jackson was spectating.

“I didn’t know if he had a concussion or cracked his skull,” Dillard said. “There was blood everywhere.”

“Nathanael said, ‘You got him?’ I said, ‘Yep.’ Then we aided him to the finish line,” Jackson recalled.

Dillard and Jackson then hooked their arms under Wilkie’s armpits and walked with him across the finish line.

The fall was so violent Wilkie broke his sunglasses and one of his contact lenses.

“I was pretty stunned when I hit the ground,” he said. “Fortunately, those two fellows were there in nothing flat to pick me up. I guess the good Lord was looking out for me. Those two angels came out of nowhere.”

Wilkie was observed in the medical tent after the race and told he’d need stitches to close the gash above his left eye. He went to an emergency room and required five stitches.

As for coming to Wilkie’s aid, Dillard said, “That could have been me.”

Dillard, 38, lives in Spring, Texas, and recently left the Navy as a chief petty officer. “If that had been me,” he said, “I hope somebody would help me out and get me to safety.”

Dillard has run 24 half marathons, four fulls.

“My parents always taught me to just do the right thing,” said Jackson, who lives in San Diego and turns 35 on Thursday.

Jackson began racing three years ago. His motivation was his health. At 6-foot-2, he weighed 286 pounds. “My doctor said if I wanted to see my next birthday, I needed to make a change,” he said.

Jackson’s first race was a marathon. Since then he’s run six Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series events. Today, he weighs 177 pound, and he’s training for his first triathlon, an Ironman in November.

For the 5-foot-6, 145-pound Wilkie, Arizona represented his eighth half marathon.

Wilkie is blessed with 10 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Brushing himself off and finishing the race served as a life metaphor.

“Life isn’t perfect,” he said. “You get knocked down more than once in a while. You’ve got to get back up and finish what you’re doing.”

RELATED: Americans Win Big at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

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6 U.S. Mile Road Races to Test Your Speed and Go All Out

Fifth Avenue Mile, Photo: Courtesy of NYRR

Whether you’re a mile specialist chasing an elusive benchmark, trying to best your long-ago times or you just like a short, fast effort, mile races present a rare and fun opportunity to go all-out against a big crowd on a closed street. Here are some of the best mile races in the U.S.

RELATED: 25 Short, Fast and Fun American Road Races of 2017

Grand Blue Mile

April 25, Des Moines, Iowa

Grandbluemile.com

Taking place just ahead of the famed Drake Relays track and field meet, this flat race in the heartland takes two left-hand turns before a straightaway finish. It’s a fast race, having been won in the past by some of the fastest humans: like 2016 Olympic 1500-meter gold medalist Matthew Centrowitz Jr.

Medtronic TC 1 Mile

May 11, Minneapolis

Tcmevents.org

Run in the heart of Minneapolis near Gold Medal Park, this is a fast mile and often doubles as the USATF 1-mile road championship—which attracts the best mile road racers in the country among the 2,500 total participants. The point-to-point race travels through a lively part of downtown before finishing at the Hennepin Avenue Theater District.

State Street Mile

June 4, Santa Barbara, Calif.

Sbmile.com

This straight shot race runs pleasantly, gradually downhill down Santa Barbara’s scenic State Street downtown, and tends to draw a handful of sub-4 runners each year. Even though it takes place in early summer, the coastal climate tends to stay cool and provide ideal race conditions.

Macklind Avenue Mile

June 24, St. Louis

Macklindmile.com

Billed as St. Louis’ fastest mile, the downhill Macklind Mile welcomes more than 1,400 runners to Macklind Avenue every June. This family-friendly event has a wave for all abilities. Walkers, strollers and even pets are welcome in the recreational wave. Then competitive and elite racers head out before the big finale: the Kids Quarter Mile Dash.

Pearl Street Mile

Aug. 9, Boulder, Colo.

Flatironsrunningevents.com

This race is practically in the backyard of scores of elite runners who call Boulder home either part-time or year-round. Winding through the city’s famed Pearl Street area, this late-summer run draws a fast field—which includes the rest of the city’s famously fit and sporty population.

Fifth Avenue Mile

Sept. 2, New York City

Nyrr.org

This 20-block race southward alongside Central Park on the Upper East Side draws 6,000 runners for prime, late-summer conditions in the big city. It’s one of the few road miles that gets the TV treatment on ESPN, due to its elite field. The course is straight as an arrow, yet those fast 5,280 feet feature a sneaky mix of flatness, uphill and downhill.

RELATED: 25 Fun Half Marathons You’ll Want to Run This Year

The post 6 U.S. Mile Road Races to Test Your Speed and Go All Out appeared first on Competitor.com.

25 Short, Fast and Fun American Road Races of 2017

Running 26.2 miles—or even half that—isn’t everyone’s idea of fun. For those with a need for speed, or others who just prefer a shorter distance, America has a ton of races ranging from 5K to 10 miles or more that offer unique or amazing experiences. Some on this list are iconic road races that draw an elite field; others are must-do running-culture experiences. Many, however, offer both.

RELATED: 6 U.S. Mile Road Races to Test Your Speed and Go All Out

Great Alhoa Run

Feb. 20, Honolulu

Greataloharun.com

More than 24,000 people ran the 32nd edition of this 8-mile race in 2016. The point-to-point course starts downtown and winds along the Nimitz and Kamehameha highways to a big finish in Aloha Stadium. Plenty of bands, deejays and school cheerleaders along the way bring the Hawaiian Islands’ aloha spirit to this popular race.

Gasparilla Distance Classic

Feb. 25–26, Tampa, Fla.

Tampabayrun.com

The15K is the star distance at this race that’s been going since the late ’70s on the Gulf Coast. Participants can also choose from a 5K, 8K and half marathon to shake out the winter cobwebs in Tampa’s warm Florida air.

 

Shamrock Run Portland

March 19, Portland, Ore.

Shamrockrunportland.com

Run since 1979, the Shamrock Run has grown to more than 30,000 runners who run through Portland’s downtown and along its waterfront. 5K, 8K and 15K distances are offered, with the race adding a half marathon as well in recent years.

Marine Corps 17.75K

March 25, Dumfries, Va.

Marinemarathon.com

Offering guaranteed access to the famed Marine Corps Marathon in the fall, this spring race draws a crowd and offers a unique distance (commemorating the year the Corps was founded). It works out to about 11 miles, for those calculating. Located near Quantico, the course takes place over rolling hills and among a forested backdrop.

 

Carlsbad 5000

April 1–2, Carlsbad, Calif.

Runrocknroll.com

“The world’s fastest 5K” returns for its 32nd year, and it’s the ideal place for a PR. This legendary race by the Pacific Ocean is unique in that the elite field is run separately, and draws an enormous crowd. If a 5K doesn’t get you excited, consider the All-Day 20K—running in four heats of 5K races within a few hours.

Shamrock Shuffle 8K

April 2, Chicago

Shamrockshuffle.com

With its large Irish population, Chicago loves St. Patrick’s Day. Although the date of this race falls two weeks after that green-beer holiday, there will be lots of green and some crazy costumes can be seen along this 8K course that weaves through downtown and starts and finishes at Grant Park.

B.A.A. 5K

April 15, Boston

Baa.org

For those who want to race in Boston—and do it fast—the BAA 5K is a great race that takes place during marathon weekend. Runners pass the Boston Marathon finish line, along with Newbury street and the Public Garden. It starts and finishes in historic Boston Common.

Crescent City Classic

April 15, New Orleans

Ccc10k.com

Run 6.2 miles through the Big Easy with more than 20,000 other runners in an iconic race that was first run in 1979. The course takes in plenty of New Orleans sights, starting downtown, then going past the Superdome, through the French Quarter and finishing in City Park.

Capitol Hill Classic

May 14, Washington, D.C.

Capitolhillclassic.com

This springtime 10K exclusively on Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill takes runners near the Capitol building, then around RFK Stadium and Lincoln Park. There’s even a 3K and a kids’ run available—appropriate, since the race generously benefits D.C. public schools.

Navy Bay Bridge Run

mid-May, San Diego

Navylifesw.com

More than 10,000 runners take the rare chance to run across San Diego’s Coronado Bay Bridge on foot, a 2.1-mile bridge that stretches 200 feet above San Diego Bay. The views alone—of downtown, Coronado Island, shipyards and the Pacific Ocean—make this 4-miler a unique and popular race.

 

Bay to Breakers

May 21, San Francisco

Baytobreakers.com

Running costumes don’t get much better than the ones at this classic 12K that starts near the Embarcadero and ends at the Pacific, on the other side of the peninsula. For something different, run as a group tethered together in the Centipede Challenge. Or run naked, as many people still do every year while carrying on a tradition started in the 1960s.

Bolder Boulder

May 29, Boulder, Colo.

Bolderboulder.com

The first edition of this iconic 10K started way back in 1979. Always held on Memorial Day, the finish ends at Folsom Field football stadium with a patriotic display.

Keep Austin Weird 5K

June 24, Austin, Texas

Keepaustinweirdfest.com

Lots of silly, strange and absurd costumes can be found along this course, part of a celebration recognizing Texas’s capital city’s most famous tagline. Known as “The Slowest 5K on the Planet,” this run features 15 Fun Stops along the course. It’s definietly anything but normal.

NYRR Retro 4-Miler

June, New York City

Nyrr.org

Put on the short shorts, headbands, tube socks and throwback shoes for this fun event. Or throw on your best Run DMC costume—if it’s retro and you can run in it, it’ll work. Just like races did way back before chip timing, timers shout out finishing times as runners cross the finish line.

Peach Tree Road Race

July 4, Atlanta

Atlantatrackclub.org

This annual gem is the largest 10K in the world. With 60,000 runners and thousands of spectators along the course on the Fourth of July, it’s become an American bucket-list race. Enduring the heat and humidity of the South in the summer is worth it for this iconic 10K.

Surf City Run 5K

July 4, Huntington Beach, Calif.

Surfcityrun.com

Huntington Beach’s annual Fourth of July run takes racers past the beaches in this quintessential SoCal town that calls itself “Surf City USA.” Enjoy the views—and don’t miss the patriotic parade, which follows the race at 10 a.m.

Boilermaker 15K

July 9, Utica, N.Y.

Boilermaker.com

15Ks don’t often come more challenging than this long-running race in update New York. The hilly, point-to-point course is tough, but worth it: The prize purse at this nearly 40-year-old race is sizeable. More than 17,000 runners take part every year for this race with a beautiful backdrop.

Beat the Tide

July 10, Plymouth, Mass.

Plymouthrockracing.com

This event is only four years old, but its innovative challenge—run fast enough to avoid getting wet by the incoming tide over a 5K or 5 mile distance—is plenty of fun, and capped off at the end with an evening clam bake.

 

Beach to Beacon

Aug. 5, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Beach2beacon.org

One of the Northeast’s most respected road races, Beach to Beacon draws a world-class elite field every year. The point-to-point 10K was started by legendary Olympian Joan Benoit Samuelson and takes runners around picturesque New England coastal scenery.

Run Internacional 10K

Aug. 5, El Paso, Texas

International10K.com

This is one of the few races requiring runners to carry a passport—this run starts in El Paso and crosses the U.S.-Mexico border into Juarez. This run takes in historic sites and promotes a spirit of togetherness, with planty of American and Mexican flags in sight.

Lake Union 10K

Aug. 13, Seattle

Lakeunion10k.com

This 10K in the heart of the Emerald City circumnavigates one of Seattle’s central lakes that ties many of its neighborhoods together. Obviously, the views of downtown, the Space Needle, Gas Works Park, seaplanes and all the water traffic are amazing, and the Northwest’s summer weather can’t be beat.

 

Falmouth Road Race

Aug. 20, Falmouth, Mass.

Falmouthroadrace.com

This point-to-point 7-miler from the town of Woods Hole to the coastal town of Falmouth is one of the most prestigious races in New England’s rich running scene. It started with 100 people in 1973 but has grown to more than 12,000 annually since then.

Twin Cities 10 Mile

Oct. 1, Minneapolis-St. Paul

Tcmevents.org

The Upper Midwest’s hardy running culture makes this fall 10-miler a can’t-miss, and the race is literally run from one Twin City to the other. This fast, point-to-point course starts in Minneapolis and finishes in St. Paul, near the Minnesota state capitol building.

Army ten miler

Oct. 8, Arlington, Va.

Armytenmiler.com

This race offers a great glimpse at some can’t-miss D.C. landmarks. Starting near the Pentagon, runners cross the Arlington Memorial bridge into the District and run along the National Mall, taking in some of America’s most iconic memorials and buildings.  The 33-year-old race gives out a finisher coin to all participants.

Manchester Road Race

Nov. 23, Manchester, Conn.

Manchesterroadrace.com

A New England Thanksgiving tradition, this 81st annual race often draws a top field for the 4.746-mile run. The 15,000-person race also draws a lot of Thanksgiving-themed costumes.

Photos: Courtesy of Bolder Boulder, Courtesy of Shamrock Run Portland, Courtesy of Bay to Breakers, Paul Kim/Atlanta Track Club, Kevin Morris/TD Beach to Beacon, Courtesy of Falmouth Road Race

RELATED: 25 Fun Half Marathons You’ll Want to Run This Year

The post 25 Short, Fast and Fun American Road Races of 2017 appeared first on Competitor.com.

Entry Application for 2017 New York City Marathon Now Open

TCS New York City Marathon 2016, Photo: Courtesy of NYRR

For one month only, runners will have the opportunity to enter their application for the 2017 New York City Marathon. Both guaranteed and non-guaranteed entries will remain open through Feb. 17 for the 47th running of the race on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017.

“Today, the 2017 TCS New York City Marathon application officially opens. We’re thrilled to welcome runners from around the world to apply to take part in this transformative experience through New York City’s five boroughs,” said Ronnie Tucker, vice president, marketing and digital of New York Road Runners. “Whether you apply to run through this year’s free drawing, receive guaranteed entry through NYRR’s popular 9+1 program, or take part on behalf of a charity such as NYRR’s Team for Kids or one of our many official charity partners, we look forward to seeing you cross the finish line this November.”

Runners guaranteed an entry in the 2017 race must still claim their spot during the month-long application window. However, a drawing on March 2 will take place for non-guaranteed applicants.

Another way runners can receive a guaranteed spot in the race is by registering to run for NYRR’s Team for Kids, the New York City Marathon’s largest charity which raises funds for NYRR’s free youth running programs for kids who would otherwise have little or no access to regular physical activity.

For more information about the 2017 New York City Marathon and to apply, visit tcsnycmarathon.org.

PHOTOS: Scenes from the 2016 New York City Marathon

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Americans Win Big at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona

Thomas Puzey (left) won the Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon in 2:19:57, while Neely Spence Gracey won the women’s half marathon in 1:12:39. Photos: Bruce Wodder

With most of the country in the throes of winter, thousands of runners took to the streets of Tempe and Phoenix this weekend to participate in one of the American Southwest’s best races: the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon.

Thirty-two-year-old Thomas Puzey of Flagstaff, Ariz., was the first runner to cross the marathon finish line at Rio Salado Parkway in Tempe under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 50s. Puzey’s win was a commanding one with a 2-hour, 19-minute, 57-second finishing time. His nearest competitor, Roosevelt Cook , was over 3 minutes behind in 2:23:48. Third place in the men’s marathon went to Naamn Weldeyohans (2:24:11).

“The East African guys that came out made it a tough day. I didn’t expect to beat them,” said a surprised Puzey, who won the marathon last year. “Luckily it was a long race. I was able to outlast them. After 20 miles, it came down to just making it to the finish line.”

Puzey, who is the father of three young daughters, calls himself a “blue-collar winner” and was happy that he prevailed. “I run to make some bread and I did that today,” he said.

The women’s race was also a solo affair with Bailey Drewes of Ithaca, N.Y., winning in 2:42:50. McKale Montgomery was a full 8 minutes behind in 2:50:54, while Anna Corrigan was third in 2:56:11.

A half marathon was held in conjunction with the full marathon. American Jeffery Eggleston (Boulder, Colo.) broke the tape in a blazing 1:04:50. His nearest rival was Tyler Jermann, who finished over a minute behind in 1:05:57. Harry Dixon rounded out the podium in 1:06:11.

Afterwards, Eggleston, who had made his marathon debut in Arizona back in 2010, said he was pleased with his win.

“I was trying to do a marathon-pace run out there,” he said. “It started out quicker than I wanted it to be. I got a bit excited. The conditions were good overall.”

Eggleston had not run a fall marathon last year and has begun his marathon training in December. He hopes to race 26.2 miles next month in Japan.

“I would like to thank the Rock ‘n’ Roll races for helping me sharpen my knives. I just love coming to these races.”

On Sunday, Eggleston’s wife, Ali Clark Eggleston made her debut and Jeffery said that watching her training for the big race was incredibly motivating. She’s been so dedicated and committed. I’m super proud of her. I can’t wait to give her a kiss at the finish line.“

Neely Spence Gracey (Boulder, Colo.) prevailed in the women’s half marathon with a commanding 1:12:39 win for the 13.1-mile distance. Maor Tiyouri (1:15:47) and Courtney Marie Olsen (1:18:48) took second and third, respectively.

“I’m really pleased with how I did today,” said Spence Gracey, who was running her first race of the year. “I had written out the goals on my hand. There were four of them: to find my rhythm, to focus my mind, and the third was to fight through fatigue, and the fourth was to finish strong. I think I accomplished all of them.”

Spence Gracey said she wasn’t trying to run a specific time, but that she instead wanted to find the right rhythm out on the Arizona course. “I was able to do that. I loved the bands out there. I loved the crowds. I’m glad that I was able to come out there and take part in this big party. I look forward to the next Rock ‘n’ Roll race in New Orleans.”

Elite runners and fast times aside, Sunday’s races was all about the party. Alternative band Toad the Wet Sprocket took to the stage as the headliner for the finish-line festival, getting runners and their families to their feet with their big hit, “All I Want.”

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Thousands of Runners Toed the Start at Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon

More than 23,000 runners from 50 states and 21 countries toed the start line at the 14th annual Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon & ½ Marathon on Sunday. Thomas Puzey of Flagstaff, AZ placed first in the men’s half marathon and Bailey Drewes of Ithaca, NY finished first in the women’s marathon. Jeffrey Eggleston (Boulder, CO) and Neely Spence Gracey (Boulder, CO) won the men’s and women’s half marathon, respectively. Upon finishing, runners celebrated with family and friends at the finish line festival where alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket took the stage to headline the post race Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series.

Photo Credit: Anthony Cottrell

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