Fasteddie’s Personal Top 10 Races

(random order, it’s like picking a favorite child)

and there's WAY more. these just come to mind as I write......

1. St. George Marathon, UT  This is where it all started for me. The first Saturday in October. Great course, my first marathon, now a ten year member, ran my fastest times on this deceivingly strategic downhill course with a giant uphill in the middle. Unbelievable scenery, Mormon history and hospitality are in evidence as the city takes better care of their runners than any other marathon course, big or small, I’ve ever raced. Kudos to the locals! The finish at Worthen Park is true small town Americana at its best. Bring the whole Fam. Free massages to all finishers in sunshine filled Dixie and a unique sandstone medal will do you proud.
2. Rock and Roll Marathon, San Diego  My Alma mater city has figured out how to run a marathon that directly competes with the iconic east coasters for prestige, and has now become the west coast classic big city race. Elite Racing gets an A+++ for organization, execution, fun quotient and a party finish. Try and catch the Marine Band in front of corral 1 before the race. There’s so much going on here, I can’t explain it all here, just experience it.  Marines, Palm Trees, San Diego, Bands every mile, Cheerleaders, endless support, wow! Team in Training’s premier fund raiser, join them and get cheered all over the course. Unfortunately, they now run a half with it, so much of the excitement and special treatment is all but gone.....     :>(
3. Triple Trail Challenge, Park City, UT  A series of three races over 7 weeks at altitude, friendly locals, and Park City’s renowned small town anti glam attitude gets me excited just thinking about it. Mountain Trails foundation, and a core group of dedicated volunteers in concert with the Mountain Trails Foundation make this a Rockies don’t miss. A steeplechase up to Jupiter Peak is worse than the half and full marathons to follow, so leave some in the tank.  An embroidered Jacket presented to all of the faithful upon completion of the three. Camaraderie is paramount; you’ll surely make friends just being there.
4. Mt Wilson Trail Race, Sierra Madre, CA  Every Memorial Day weekend, the second oldest course in the state struts it So cal best in this seemingly short up and down lung burner race, which no longer summits Mt. Wilson. I once clocked a low point of 85% max heart rate throughout the entire course! Don’t be deceived, you’ll be broken and perhaps bloody before you get the popsicle with your time and place on it. Single track reversing on itself, you can count your position, and cheer the leaders as they whiz past you on the way back home. Quintessential valley terrain and brush, So Cal history, highlight this classic of classics. Limited to 250, lovingly executed by the locals, and finishing in the same plaza as Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Don’t miss the dinner on Friday night, make some new friends!
5. Boston Marathon  If you can’t talk the finer points of Patriot’s Day, you can’t talk trash. It’s just that simple. Because of its required qualifying times, this race carries more prestige than any other marathon in the community. I could go on, but until you can figure out a way to get good enough to qualify, or otherwise get a bib, you’re relegated to listening to other’s stories. Basically, you have to run in about the top 10% category to qualify. The qualifying times are posted, and I wish you the best in getting there. Unfortunately, unless you’re very organized, dedicated, and have a half way decent VO2 max, this may be out of reach. But it is the Granddaddy of them all. But there are ways to get in, officially, of course, so make it a mission.
6. New York Marathon  With about 30,000 runners a year, and many of them first timers, and the hospitality, yes hospitality, of New Yorkers, this fall race is an eventual must do. There isn’t a more dynamic, breathtaking and exciting course in the country. Standing on Staten Island at the start, traversing the Verrazano Narrows Bridge for mile 1, with the Manhattan skyline in the distance as your final destination is as exhilarating as it is challenging. You’ll never forget it, or the friendly New Yorkers helping you along the entire route. My Twin Towers medal from the 90’s is one of my favorites.
7. West Hollywood 10k  Where else can you find a fast undulating course, friendly folks, one of the best after race give away programs, and a guy wearing a studded dog collar running faster than you? The LA Frontrunners are friendly and organized; the course follows the route of the infamous parade later in the day. Where else but WH is such diversity celebrated? A 5k is also available, but the double loop 10k is for marathoners!
8. Glendora Ridge Route, Glendora, CA  Although not an “official” race, this is my homie course. Serendipity struck back in 1994, when I accidentally met my fellow co-founder of the Glendora Ridge Runners, Dave Nemeth. We immediately established this route, and it is a classic training route as well as a vignette of small So Cal living that’s almost non existent any more. Road, trail, ridge running, oak canyons and San Gabriel Valley environs after a rainfall show this course off in its entire splendor. Look up my good friends at the Glendora Ridge Runners for details and companionship, and enjoy downtown Glendora after the run. I ache for the days when I commanded this lifestyle.
9. Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam Half Marathon, BC, NV  Crazy costumes, desert scenery, Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, old train tunnels, Boulder City and nearby Las Vegas make this a great starter race for those coming in from out of town. Small town atmosphere and a laid back but organized half, perfect to start knocking off the winter rust. Just plain fun to be out there.
10. Any Race  Anywhere where there’s runners who want to test themselves, enjoy the day, and make new friends. Start the clock ... and make your own Top 10!