2018 has already started, and, with it, its marathons. For 2018, there is a generous offer of full and half marathons in the Mid-Atlantic region. These are excellent opportunities not only to get fit and overcome personal challenges but to fulfill some of the new-year resolutions of your list, which probably you must already have forgotten at this point. In this post, we will talk about the main marathons that will take place during 2018 in this region of the United States, so that you get ready and become the hero among your Instagram contacts. Let’s see.
New Jersey Marathon
This famous marathon begins soon, so pay attention to the details. This race will begin on April 29 of this year and is an excellent alternative for athletes who enjoy the real challenges, taking into account the demands of this race. Many of the athletes who run in this marathon come to visit the Garden State for the first time, and others take it as an opportunity to train for the Boston marathon (which is much more famous, and a bit more demanding.) It takes place on flat surfaces in most of the race, however, in many sections you will have to run on the sidewalks of the main avenues, and this implies unevenness and obstacles (without taking into account the bottleneck produced by the runners during the first moments of the race.) It is a tremendous experience.
Pittsburgh Marathon
The Pittsburgh Marathon is one of the most famous races held in the year. It began in the first half of the 80s, and, since then, it has been one of the favorite destinations of sports tourists from all over the US. The race takes place in the middle of the distinguishing landscape of the capital of Pennsylvania, and one of the best scenic attractions is that the route passes through five bridges, crossing three of the main rivers of the city. The route has never been the same and has changed slightly since it began 33 years ago, but it still retains its spirit. On two occasions, the Pittsburgh Marathon has been the scene of the Olympic marathon training of the United States delegation, and it is frequented by athletes who are preparing for marathons on a larger scale. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the historic neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, and, therefore, this marathon may be considered a quite good sightrunning experience.
Read also: Sightrunning: the best way to know New York, by Sudir Raju
Richmond Marathon
This is one of the most recommended marathons by athletes from all over the United States. Besides that it is an opportunity to get closer to the heart of the culture this beautiful city since the run goes through the most historic places of Richmond, this race is a party in which the entire city is involved. After the race, you will be able to enjoy concerts, food festivals, and electronic music parties, always surrounded by a warm crowd. One of the highlights of this race is the excellent logistics. It is quite organized, and the organizers are usually attentive to the suggestions of the participants. The route is not flat at all and has some slightly pronounced hills that inject a bit of difficulty to the race. The last section is a descent that leads to the center of the city, and maybe it is the most exciting part. Highly recommended.
Baltimore Marathon
This race seems simple, but those are only appearances. The Baltimore Marathon is quite challenging compared to the other Mid-Atlantic States’. It is the main race of the Baltimore Running Festival, which is held every year in Maryland. One of the most surprising aspects is the concurrence of competitors from different parts of the world. Over the years, from 1973 until now, there have been several foreign winners, both men and women, who have even broken very interesting records. One of the aspects that most attracts the competitors is their generous prize: $ 25,000. Interested?
Delaware Marathon
If you live in or near Delaware, and you are interested in staying in shape, you will find marathons throughout the year. Four marathons in April, one in May, one in October, and one in December. The Delaware Marathon begins at the Wilmington Riverfront, crosses several city parks, and some of the most typical neighborhoods. The distance of the route is 26 miles, and it can be run in about six hours. The average of competitors is 3000, although it could vary a little each year.
Potomac River Marathon
This is one of the easiest races for someone who is just starting to run marathons. The above, even taking into account that this race does not take place in the comfort of a city, but in the middle of the wild. The tour goes from the state of Washington to the western mountains of Maryland. The route is about six miles, it is quite flat, although there are some elevations at the beginning of the race. It is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the nature of this beautiful state. The logistics are very good and it takes about five hours to complete.
Recommended: The 15 Best Spring Marathons in the U.S.
* Featured Image courtesy of Skitterphoto at Pexels.com
Sudir Raju 