OT: running/walking

Submitted by evenyoubrutus on June 7th, 2019 at 7:24 PM

Folks,

I recently ran in the Dexter/Ann Arbor run, and I'm kind of getting addicted to these races. What runs do you participate in? I know the Free Press marathon is in October, which I just (humble-brag alert) signed up for. What other runs do you folks participate in? 

For me, the annual races include:

Big House 5k (get to touch the banner at the 50 yars line)

Dexter-Ann Arbor half marathon (run the Huron river)

Run tough for Chad Tough (kick cancer in the buttocks)

And I have just added the Volkslaufe - a race in Frankenmuth on July 4th

So, what races should I add to my list??

Jeremy

June 7th, 2019 at 7:34 PM ^

I used to run the Firecracker 5k on July 4th in downtown Ann Arbor. 

 

A good one I do is the Turkey Trot in early to mid November at Hudson Mills Metropark. It offers a 5k, 10k, and the Iron Turkey where you run both the events.

 

One day I want to do the BTN Big 10k in Chicago.

LSAClassOf2000

June 7th, 2019 at 7:52 PM ^

I am just getting back into sporadic 5K runs after a couple years of being skittish about them due to some health issues. I will say that the Trenton SummerFest runs - a 5K and 8K - are pretty nice and Trenton is a pretty good place for a run actually. The Farmington Founders Festival has a cool 5K run as well. 

Sopwith

June 7th, 2019 at 8:19 PM ^

I ran the Chicago Marathon just to check "marathon" off my bucket list, and it's a great one for people are aren't hard-core runners: very flat, great tour of the city, and lots of spectators the whole way. Oh and Gu. Lots of Gu. If you don't want to do the marathon, the annual 8k Shamrock Shuffle is a great event downtown every March. Worth a train ride from Ann Arbor.

 

brad

June 7th, 2019 at 8:39 PM ^

Just adding a tip from a 40+ year old man who ran a looooot.  Run on trails and grass as much as you can, and run on pavement as little as you can.  Running is amazing and feels amazing, so protect your knees!

stephenrjking

June 7th, 2019 at 8:41 PM ^

Grandma’s Marathon (and half marathon), Duluth, late June every year. Thanks to the gorgeous route along the Lake Superior shoreline it is typically cool and pleasant despite the summer date. 

I don’t run it, but I drive a couple bus loads of runners to their start lines. 

BeatOSU52

June 7th, 2019 at 9:10 PM ^

I ran the Riverbank 10k a few weeks ago also,  nice .  That race rocks .   I’ve done the bride 5k before .  Have always wanted to try the 10 

On this topic , for good Grand Rapids area races ,  if you’re looking for one soon , on June 22 ,  the Reeds Lake 5k and 10k is a good one  .  I’ll be doing the 10k.  Only possible con is it can be hot at that time of the year .

 

4th of july morning in kentwood there’s a good one every year .  It ends right when people are getting ready for a parade so it’s a lot of fun. 

Grand Rapids half marathon/ marathon is a great race I do every year .   It’s in late October when it’s usually great weather temp wise .  

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot (5k) that finishes  into Van Andel arena is awesome but shit that race has gotten bigger and bigger every year .  Still do it every year 

News years Resolution race in EGR on December 31 afternoon is good if you can withstand the cold. 4 mile race 

 

 

xtramelanin

June 7th, 2019 at 9:17 PM ^

i try and do a couple of shorter triathlons each summer.

they don't time me with a stop watch.  they use a calendar.

was thinking of starting a thread about mountain bikes - another walmart special died. would like suggestions for that, too, but not the thousand dollar models since my tri's are s-l-o-w.

outsidethebox

June 7th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^

I've got a challenge for you. We live out here in the godforsaken state of Kansas-an hour from the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. This is about a 15 square mile area of beautiful Flint Hill prairie with around 50 miles of hiking rails. We like to go there every couple weeks and hike 8-10 miles-I'm  66 and have run enough in my life. Last Sunday we went for an early morning hike to a remote area we had not been to for a while. We only encountered one other person-a 30ish young man who was running...said he was hoping to get in at least 30 miles. He was training for a 100 mile race in the Sheridan, Wyoming area in couple weeks-this would be his last "big" training run before the race. Sheridan is one of our favorite places to base out of to hike in the Big Horn Mountains...an absolutely gorgeous area. So, go for it. 

444

June 7th, 2019 at 9:30 PM ^

I was in the DX/A2 Run and Big House 5K as well.  It sure would have been nice of you to say hi when you ran past!! The fact that you get two free tickets for Wolverine Beer at the end of the DX/A2 Run makes it my favorite running event.  They had 4 different kinds on tap this year.  It's the only time all year that I drink a beer at 10 AM.  Well, except for tailgates.

The Detroit Marathon is the only race in the world that goes into another country and then back.  It's definitely worth running at least once.  Going over the Ambassador Bridge is unforgettable.  The tunnel back is pretty cool too.  Running along the river on the Canadian side is quite beautiful.  Parking can be a headache, I would recommend staying someplace downtown overnight.  There are about 20,000 folks in the race.  It's quite a site to see.

I have heard that the Big 10 race in Chicago is a blast.  That's one that I would like to try next.  

NFG

June 7th, 2019 at 9:34 PM ^

If you do the Volkslaufe, you run by my childhood home and the current home of my parents. Look for a very large yellow house on 3 acres. They’ll be handing out water. 

JamesBondHerpesMeds

June 7th, 2019 at 10:49 PM ^

I’m gearing up to run all six of the World Marathon Majors (Boston, Berlin, Chicago, London, NYC, Tokyo). Have done two thus far, third (Berlin) in September with the hopes of nabbing a qualifying time for Tokyo there.

Running Boston has been one of the highlights of my life.

most of my running is confined to trail running now as well.

IronDMK

June 10th, 2019 at 1:34 PM ^

You can get into Tokyo through a lottery as well.  There is also a "fundraising" method where you essentially pay 100k yen to do the race.  Apparently, it's much easier to get in through lottery as a non-Japanese citizen.  

I used to do a ton of triathlons but recently have been drawn a lot more to running.  Have done the Freep a few times but not sure I'll every do it again.  All the excitement is front-loaded for the half marathon runners and the back half just sucks.

Just ran Bayshore a couple weeks ago and LOVED that course.  Right along Little Traverse Bay.  Beautiful course.  Will do it again for sure.  Last October I ran Milwaukee lakeshore marathon which was point to point.  Another great course with terrific support.  Marathon-only course which I liked a lot.  The Austin Marathon (TX) is a great course but it's in Feb so you have to be willing to train hard in the winter.  Going to try the "Last Chance BQGR" this year.  It's a loop marathon designed to put people into Boston.  Looks like a "fun" marathon.

A buddy and I are aiming to run 1 marathon per month for 12 months (starting last month).  Anyone else want to join? :0)  

Shorter runs - I really like the Father's Day run in Plymouth but this year they don't have the triple, which kind of sucks (1mi, 5k, 10k back to back to back).  This year I'm just going to pace my 7 year old in the 5k.

rob f

June 7th, 2019 at 10:57 PM ^

My knees tell me on a daily basis that my days of 5- and 10k runs and races are firmly in my rear-view mirror. 

For my exercise I'm easing back into a routine of bike riding and/or a daily mile walk, after being mostly out-of-commission with bronchitis for the last few weeks.   First time I've dealt with that bronchitis shit since back some 25 years or so ago, couldn't exert myself much at all for quite a while without coughing spells.

I do want to do the Big House fun run or walk through.  Leaping and touching the M Club banner at the 50 would be a natural high.

evenyoubrutus

June 8th, 2019 at 7:39 AM ^

For those of us in the AA area, we have access to world class mountain biking trails and many of us don't even realize it. I was reading an article in National Geographic Adventurer about the world's best mountain biking, and lo and behold they listed the Pinckney Recreation Area on there. I've done it a few times. Not really for me but it was still a lot of fun out there.

Ty Butterfield

June 8th, 2019 at 2:04 AM ^

I ran the Mackinac Bridge race a few years back. Got to run the actual bridge. Race no longer exists so I am glad I did it before it was canceled. Going to do a run around Mackinac Island this year instead. 

Gucci Mane

June 8th, 2019 at 4:42 AM ^

I have been working on my 400 meter time at the track. 61 seconds is number too so far, I think I can get to 55 in a month or two.