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Tags: Halloween / Halloween Travel / Parades / Scary Travel / Freaks / New York City Marathon / Marathons / Active Travel / → All Tags

A Hell of a Halloween Weekend in New York

Halloween is always a party in New York, but this year several forces combined to make it even wilder than usual. First of all, it happened to fall on a Saturday this year, drawing that many more people out of their apartments and into the night. Second, the Yankees played the Phillies in Game 3 of the World Series - and won! - giving the barroom crowds a grand reason to order a few ill-advised rounds of shots. And third, the New York City Marathon took place the very next morning, giving the Halloween revelers some great human drama to wake up and soothe their hangovers to. Add to that the extra hour of weekend we got because of the end of Daylight Savings Time and you've got a city with every reason to cut loose.

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Tags: Marathons / Active Travel / Fall Travel / Sports Travel / Connecticut Travel / → All Tags

Run Through The Leaves At The Hartford Marathon

We love taking in the sights of the season from the comfort of the car. It’s nice to get out and breath in the cool crisp air, but usually it’s best to do that when stopping for lunch or refilling our cup holder with a pumpkin spice latte. However, we do recognize that there are a large number of citizens that enjoy the fresh air that the fall season brings. That’s why we’re suggesting the ING Hartford Marathon for a solid active travel option for the autumn season.

Connecticut’s capital city is pretty sleepy after the workday ends, so it’s population will swell when thousands of runners hit the streets on October 10. There’s even still time to register, just head out to packet pick-up on October 9, and they’ll be happy to sign you up. You’ll enjoy cool weather, peak foliage, and some nice scenery as you do your best to keep your pace along the banks of the Connecticut River. Overall the course is pretty flat as well, so you might just be able to reach that personal best. After all, this marathon can get you into the Boston one if you go fast enough.

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Start Stretching For This Weekend's Utah Valley Marathon

If you’ve got a lengthy layover in Salt Lake City and are looking to make the most of it, you might be interested in the Utah Valley Marathon. Starting bright on early this Saturday, June 13, the race takes places only 50 miles south of the airport and is fairly convenient to several National forests. So after the race you can enjoy even more physical activity.

There’s no cheesy stuff to keep you motivated during this course, just nature at its finest. Runners will be surrounded by mountains on all sides while following canyon roads that run along the Provo River and swing by Utah Lake. For the most part you’ll be headed down hill, so if you’re new to running, this should be a good pick. Also, this race is USATF certified, so a good time can help you qualify for the bigger races, like the Boston Marathon.

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The Inline Skating Craze Lives On in Minnesota

If you often reminisce about the early 1990s and how much fun you had racing around orange cones with your Rollerblades, then you might want to head to Minnesota. After all, the state pretty much created the inline skating craze thanks to all those depressed ice hockey fans sitting around all summer (thanks Wikipedia).

Beginning bright and early on June 13, avid inline skaters will grease their bearings and warm up for the Baxter Inline Marathon. The race has attracted skaters from all over the US and Canada since 2001, and it just keeps on going. Apparently they’re all in search of the Scary Man Trophy—some kind of wooden tiki-trophy gone wild that features a grass skirt and a mean face.

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Tags: Tel Aviv Travel / Marathons / Athletic Travel / Sports / Running / → All Tags

Marathon on the Mediterranean

One of the most-covered travel stories over the past few years has been the rise of voluntourism and do-gooder vacations. But we've also noticed an uptick in do-good-for-yourself vacations—scheduling a trip around a big athletic event like a marathon or bike race.

So as spring marathon season swings into full gear, we'll be looking at some of the marquee 26-milers around the world (especially the ones in places we love to visit).

Coming up on April 24 is a somewhat surprising entry—the Tel Aviv Marathon. The race is back after a 15-year hiatus, starting up again as part of this Israeli city's centennial celebration. The marathon course is appealing for anyone who wants to get a good look at this diverse city—it winds through the Old City and Park HaYarkon, ending along Tel Aviv's main draw—the stunning Mediterranean beachfront. The race, which also includes 5K and 10K versions, is expected to bring 15,000 runners.

Related Stories:
· Run the Tel Aviv Marathon for 100 years of history [Israel 21c]
· Marathons coverage [Jaunted]
· Israel travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: vacilamos]

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Shake Off Your Hangover With an Ultramarathon

There's nothing wrong with combining your love of travel with your fondness for exercise, but some people take it to the extreme. We came upon an interesting story about ultramarathonning this morning while sipping coffee and scanning random bits on the web, and decided to find out more about it. It almost hurts to read it because we're feeling a bit sluggish today. We had a small solstice party last night, and an ultramarathon sounds like the exact opposite of what we could handle at the moment, making the people who run these multi-day, hundred-kilometer-plus races seem all the more amazing.

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Tags: Thanksgiving Alternatives / Marathons / Sports / Running Travel / Thanksgiving-Alternatives-Map / → All Tags

Speed It Up In Beirut

Oh, bowling and swimming weren't sporty enough for you? The country of Lebanon doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, which is just as well because you're not going to want to eat a classic turkey-and-potatoes dinner before the Beirut International Marathon on November 30. Well, the potatoes, maybe, but not the turkey.

The fifth annual run devotes its proceeds to cancer research and tracks along the city's Mediterranean coastline to the mellifluous tones of Miss Lebanon 2007. With average temperatures this time a year a balmy 66 degrees, runners won't feel the need to shed multiple layers of clothing along the 42 km route--which is good, 'cause you'll need to save that money you would have spent on Under Armour for the $1,100 round-trip plane ticket. (Know about a deal? Let us know!)

We hope you've already been training, though, because the deadline to run in this race is Saturday. (Underprepared? Consider the 5K "Mini Marathon" or 10K "Fun Run." Not that marathons aren't fun... right?)

Related Stories:
· Waterlogged Fun in Ohio [Jaunted]
· Simply Your Feast At Hancock's Shaker Village [Jaunted]
· Thanksgiving coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: nygus]

Tags: Marathons / Sports Travel / Active Travel / → All Tags

Rockin', Rollin' at the 2008 ING New York City Marathon

Well that was fast. It's barely 12:30 p.m. and the elite runners in the 2008 ING New York City Marathon are already finished, leaving the 26.2 mile course to the 38,000 or so slowpokes who don't enjoy the benefit of an early start time. We were up sort of early this morning due to the time change and wandered over to Greenpoint to check out some of the wheelchair athletes, who are among the first on the course. Rock bands were setting up on Bedford Avenue (Runnin' With the Devil is a particularly popular song on this stretch) and volunteers were pouring water and Gatorade into little cups in preparation for the onslaught of runners that are now chugging by. If you've never seen the marathon in person before, you might find the excitement surrounding it a little perplexing. After all, it's just a bunch of skinny people wearing spandex and looking miserable. But once you join the crowds that line the streets and cheer on a seemingly endless flow of amateur athletes - each with their own reasons for running - it's impossible to deny the raw, emotional power of this most ancient of sporting pastimes. You might even be inspired to sign up for next year's marathon. We'll get right on that, after lunch.

[Photo: Victor Ozols]

Related Stories:
· ING New York City Marathon [Official Site]
· Jaunted's Alternative Guide to the NYC Marathon [Jaunted]

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Jaunted's Alternative Guide to the NYC Marathon

More than two million spectators will flood the five boroughs this Sunday for New York’s largest single-day sports event: The New York City Marathon.

If you’ve ever matched the marathon from the finish line in Central Park, it probably felt like all two million of them were right there with you. Crowds can be cool, but if you’re looking to catch the runners from a more secluded spot, check out Jaunted’s Alternative Guide to NYC Marathon Viewing:

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Tags: Active Travel / Fall Travel / Marathons / → All Tags

Marathon Month In The Outer Banks

Some would consider the month of November marathon season. After all, New York, Philadelphia and Seattle all run their 26.2 miles during the month. However, for most people, these races, especially the one in NYC, are quite difficult to register for--let alone qualify for.

However, there's also the Outer Banks Marathon set along the backdrop of North Carolina's barrier islands. It's a point-to-point course, meaning you won't have to circle back around and go past the same sights over and over again. Cool fall temperatures greet runners as they traverse sand dunes, the Wright Brothers National Memorial, and of course, Albemarle Sound.

It's a pretty flat course except for when you cross the bridge around mile marker 23 onto Roanoke Island. If you're totally ridiculous, feel free to dress like a pirate---you won't be the only one! There's still time to register, but hurry up, as the starting gun fires on November 9.

Related Stories:
· OBX Marathon [Official Site]
· Marathons coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: jimslownsteady]

Tags: Labor Day Travel / Santa Barbara / Marathons / Arts / → All Tags

Labor Day Travel: Marathons and More in Santa Barbara

If your Labor Day plans usually involve a buffet of beer, burgers and beans, you may not be up for the Pier to Peak Half Marathon which takes place on August 31 and certainly looks like quite a challenge on paper.

Participants will start out on Santa Barbara's Stearns Wharf and will make their way up through the city. Try not to stop for photos as you pass by the Santa Barbara Mission--though you might stop in and pray for a little extra energy. The race ends when you reach La Cumbre Peak and start to enjoy views of the city and the Channel Islands while you try to catch your breath.

If this isn't your idea of a relaxing holiday weekend, then take the opportunity to visit over 40 studios during the Santa Barbara Studio Artists annual tour. A $20 ticket will get you into all the studios and a Friday evening reception, with proceeds supporting the town's arts fund. Artists on hand will be more than willing to explain their work and, we're sure, send you home with an expensive souvenir.

Related Stories:
· Pier to Peak Half Marathon [Official Site]
· Santa Barbara Studio Artists [Official Site]
· Labor Day Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Matt (mistergoleta)]

Tags: Active Travel / Summer Travel / Marathons / Running / Sports Travel / → All Tags

Make the Most Out of Your Summer: Marathon

Sure, nothing beats a relaxing vacation on a tropical island, but sometimes you really need to get out there and do something. How 'bout running one--or all--of these marathons?

Finish off your training soon (you've been training, right?) for the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon on June 1. You'll start with a tour through downtown and the historic Gaslamp Quarter, head around San Diego Bay, and even sneak by Sea World. You'll finish up at the airport but before you fly to your next marathon destination, stick around for a bit to enjoy the sounds of Pat Benatar. Guess that's the Rock 'n' Roll part.

Next, head out to the Big Island of Hawaii. Grab your race packet for the Kilauea Volcano Marathon on July 28. The course has changed a little bit this year thanks to Mother Nature, but it's still considered one of the world's most difficult races. If this sounds a little too intense, just sign up to be a volunteer and hand out water cups.

If you're still going strong after the first two races, catch a flight back to the mainland for The San Francisco Marathon on August 3. You'll start of at the Embarcadero at Mission Street, and run (or limp) along the waterfront, checking out Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf. The highlight of the race is crossing the Golden Gate Bridge while enjoying the beautiful San Francisco Bay. Best of all, this run can qualify you for the Boston Marathon in 2009, if you're still able to walk.

Related Stories:
· Kilauea Volcano Marathon [Official Site]
· San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon [Official Site]
· The San Francisco Marathon [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: bam0027]