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Best Marathons for Newbies

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:30:00 PDT

Running your first marathon can be a very scary thing. So instead of signing up for the New York City Marathon as your very first marathon, try starting with something a little less intimidating.

Not sure which marathons are good for first timers? Here's a list from US Airways Magazine that sums it right up:

DISNEY WORLD MARATHON
Novices will love the fact that the course is level, and you’ll never be at a loss for scenery as you wind past sights like Cinderella Castle. This race always fills up fast, so reserve early. Check it out at DisneyWorldMarathon.com
LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON
The nation’s 2nd-largest marathon features a very flat course and is well organized. Bring lots of water and pace yourself since the weather can be quite hot during this marathon. Check it out at ChicagoMarathon.com.
MARINE CORPS MARATHON
Also known as "The People's Marathon," this perennial favorite win are recommended. Check it out at MarineMarathon.com.
MEDTRONICS TWIN CITIES MARATHON
The citizens along this flat course extend the type of friendly atmosphere people have come to associate with midwestern America. Check it out at TwinCitiesMarathon.org.
NEW LAS VEGAS MARATHON
This race begins at Mandalay Bay at the southern end of the Strip and proceeds through the heart of Vegas - it’s perhaps the only time Las Vegas Boulevard is closed. You’ll see hundreds of runners dressed as Elvis. (A push is on to break the world record with 101 Elvises!) There’s even a “Run Thru Wedding Chapel” featuring a “Running Reverend” for those who’d like to tie the knot or renew their vows. Check it out at LVMarathon.com.

Training Advice From Marathoner Kara Goucher

espnW — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 04:14:28 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Becky O'Neill

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and is hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com.

With less than two days until Steele's first half marathon, elite distance runner Kara Goucher shares a few surprising secrets to combat "taper madness."

Lashinda Demus Clears Every Hurdle

The athlete: Kara Goucher

Running résumé: At her first Olympic appearance in Beijing in 2008, elite distance runner Kara Goucher competed in the 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter events for Team USA, taking ninth and 10th place, respectively. That same year, Goucher's record-breaking debut marathon earned her third place in the New York City race and the first spot on the podium for an American woman in more than a decade. After a year off from competition to celebrate the birth of her son (she ran up to and including the day he was born), Goucher is back in fighting shape and headed to London. There, she'll get a second shot at bronze, silver, glory, and gold.

Read Kara's advice after the break.

The Five Best Races For Women

espnW — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:09:19 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Dimity McDowell and Sarah Bowen Shea

Sage Steele, SportsCenter anchor, is preparing to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon at Walt Disney World on Feb. 26 and hoping to fall in love with running in the process. Follow Sage’s journey on espnW.com.

Women's races offer a decidedly different vibe than their coed cousins': more camaraderie, a sole sister atmosphere that welcomes all runners and walkers, and lots more running skirts. Here are five of the top women's races and series in the country. Sign up then train like Sage.

Disney Tinker Bell and Princess half marathons
Sage picked a winner. Let your inner child run free through the Magic Kingdom at these festival race weekends. Tinker Bell is in Disneyland, while Princess is in Disney World, but both allow thousands of runners to mix and mingle with Disney characters on courses that wind through each park. Racers put almost as much effort into costumes - Snow White, Belle, or Minnie, anyone? - as training. Bonus: your kids will be especially psyched to cheer you on.

Sage Steele gets some training advice from Disney runMom Lori Lovell

Nike Women's Marathon
Yeah, it's tough to snag an entry, but if you can, this race is so worth it. (Psst: Go through Team in Training.) This 26.2-mile race, and its half-marathon companion, traverses San Francisco with sweeping vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and Pacific Ocean to take your mind off the killer hills in the first 10 miles of the race. Tuxedo-clad firefighters bestow each finisher with a Tiffany & Co. pendant.

Run fast by fueling up smart

Three more great races after the break.