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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Myrtle Beach--Presidents Day Weekend

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.

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.

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.

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

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?