Half marathon between Feb-April?

[Anonymous]

By then, I think I'll feel more confident to run a half marathon. Can anyone recommend a fun race? Is there anything local during that time frame?

I wanted to try for the Nike Women's Half Marathon, but I've heard that it will not return to DC next year, but a Spring location has not yet been determined.

I might still try for it, and a not opposed to traveling (but local would be better). Any other good half marathons for a newb?

[Anonymous]

Yuengling Half in Va Beach over St. Patrick's weekend. It's a flat course.

[Anonymous]

I haven't run it but the Rock and Roll Half is in DC on 3/14. I think it's in conjunction with the full marathon. I've read mixed reviews but the people I know IRL who have run it were happy with the event.
There's also the Shamrock Half in VA Beach the weekend of 3/20. My friend runs it every year so I'm thinking if trying it this year.
Last year I did the Zooma half in Annapolis in May. I really enjoyed it. The online reviews for 2013 were pretty dreadful but they definitely got their acts together in 2014.
I've also heard there's a vineyard run in either Purcellville or Leesburg in the spring. I don't have any info on that one though, other than it's a smaller event.

[Anonymous]

Cherry Blossom ten miler in April. Not quite a half, but local.

Flying Pirate half in OBX also in April. It's a pretty flat course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yuengling Half in Va Beach over St. Patrick's weekend. It's a flat course.

New poster here

YES! I haven't registered for this one yet, but I definitely have my eye on it! I have a few more races over the next few months and I want to see how those go first, before I bite the bullet and register.
Others I'm looking at:

Local(ish)
Runners Marathon of Reston (VA) http://www.runnersmarathon.com/ It has a half marathon, as well as the marathon!
Charlottesville half marathon http://www.charlottesvillemarathon.com/
Loudoun half Marathon http://loudounhalf.org/

If you are also interested in May races, I highly recommend the Frederick Running Festival! Probably my favorite half I've run so far (I've run 10 this year!).

If you are interested in a destination race, I am looking at:

Gasparilla http://www.tampabayrun.com/ in Florida. Oh, I want to run this so bad!
Surf City in Orange county, CA http://www.runsurfcity.com/
NYC half http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2014/nyc-half

One piece of advice I have, if you are considering registering for a race, and you have a facebook account, see if that race has a facebook page and "like" it. You'll get the most up to date information-including if the race is about to sell out.

[Anonymous]

Myrtle Beach--Presidents Day Weekend

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind that many people find it hard to keep up running throughout the winter. It might be better to target one in late spring.

[Anonymous]

Keep in mind the Charlottesville half is hilly. If you plan to do that one work in hills during your training runs.

[Anonymous]

I did the Nike last year. That was a fun race. I have lots of friends who are doing the Rock and Roll. I'm doing it too. The running stores have training programs year-round. I train with Fleet Feet in DC, but I know other stores have programs too. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I am doing the Shamrock (Yuengling) Half in VA beach on the 22nd March. I have not done this one before but all the folks in our running club (MCRRC) rave about it.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me more about Zooma races? Are they well organized? How's the mood? What cities/races have you done by them?

I'm liking the idea of a women's only race...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me more about Zooma races? Are they well organized? How's the mood? What cities/races have you done by them?

I'm liking the idea of a women's only race...

I'm PP who did the Zooma Annapolis Half in 2014. It was my largest race by far so I don't have a real point of comparison, but I can say that while it felt large it also didn't (plenty of space in the starting facilities, no real bottlenecks at the starting line, etc). I read the 2013 race was a mess (mostly unclear signage) - they rectified that for 2014. Technically I believe men can sign up but the race was overwhelmingly women. Everyone was friendly. I didn't do the Expo or "after party" so can't really comment. But I was happy with my experience as a fairly new runner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me more about Zooma races? Are they well organized? How's the mood? What cities/races have you done by them?

I'm liking the idea of a women's only race...

I'm PP who did the Zooma Annapolis Half in 2014. It was my largest race by far so I don't have a real point of comparison, but I can say that while it felt large it also didn't (plenty of space in the starting facilities, no real bottlenecks at the starting line, etc). I read the 2013 race was a mess (mostly unclear signage) - they rectified that for 2014. Technically I believe men can sign up but the race was overwhelmingly women. Everyone was friendly. I didn't do the Expo or "after party" so can't really comment. But I was happy with my experience as a fairly new runner.

New poster here...were there a lot of "Woo Girls" there?
It seems that when I've run or read reviews of other women-focused races (Princess half at Disney, or the "Diva" series, for example), a lot of women are there more for the dress up, hang out with the girls, and generally yell out and cheer a lot. It's all about running (or more accurately, walking) in tutus and tiaras kind of thing. I'd love to run a women-focused race, where the runners are more serious about running. Is Zooma like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone tell me more about Zooma races? Are they well organized? How's the mood? What cities/races have you done by them?

I'm liking the idea of a women's only race...

I'm PP who did the Zooma Annapolis Half in 2014. It was my largest race by far so I don't have a real point of comparison, but I can say that while it felt large it also didn't (plenty of space in the starting facilities, no real bottlenecks at the starting line, etc). I read the 2013 race was a mess (mostly unclear signage) - they rectified that for 2014. Technically I believe men can sign up but the race was overwhelmingly women. Everyone was friendly. I didn't do the Expo or "after party" so can't really comment. But I was happy with my experience as a fairly new runner.

New poster here...were there a lot of "Woo Girls" there?
It seems that when I've run or read reviews of other women-focused races (Princess half at Disney, or the "Diva" series, for example), a lot of women are there more for the dress up, hang out with the girls, and generally yell out and cheer a lot. It's all about running (or more accurately, walking) in tutus and tiaras kind of thing. I'd love to run a women-focused race, where the runners are more serious about running. Is Zooma like that?

Lololol at "woo girls!" No, i don't think I saw any tiaras, a couple of tutus but not many. A lot of mother/daughter pairs and Mons on the Run but they weren't "woo-ish" about it. Just t-shirts and some of them ran in pairs. A lot of 30s-40s...so a lot of women like me. Also, I'm really slow (11-12 min mile) and while I was obviously near the back I didn't feel slow or dead-last or anything (I think I finished approx 700 out of 800).

[Anonymous]

Zooma was the organizer of a trail run in MD a few weeks ago. It definitely seemed like most of the participants were runners that wanted to run - not "woo" types (though there were a few of those, the types in go all out in their outfit or bring their dogs everywhere). But most seemed more interested in a challenge.