10 Marathons For Displaced NYC Runners

As of this weekend, there are tens of thousands of runners who were registered for the 2012 ING New York City Marathon trying to find another race. There are more than 50 marathons scheduled in the U.S. between now and the end of the year, but some (like the Nov. 18 Philadelphia Marathon) are already sold out. Here’s a rundown of 10 marathons worth considering if you’ve got 16 weeks of training under your belt and are eager to make up for a lost opportunity in the Big Apple.

Richmond Marathon
Nov. 10, Richmond, VA

Billed as “America’s Friendliest Marathon,” the Richmond Marathon, which is celebrating its 35^th running, sends runners on a loop around Virginia’s capital city, including sections through its historic downtown area and along the James River.

Entry fee: $110
Last year’s winning times: 2:13:45 (men); 2:47:50 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: www.richmondmarathon.com

Santa Barbara International Marathon

Nov. 10, Santa Barbara, CA

Set on a rolling point-to-point course through California’s “American Riviera,” this race starts in the small town of Goleta and sends runners past lemon and avocado orchards on the way to Santa Barbara before concluding with a two-mile descent along the Pacific Ocean.

Entry Fee: $50 to the first 200 NYC marathoner able to show proof of registration. Email sbimarathon@cox.net for the promotion code.
Last year’s winning times: 2:22:28 (men); 3:03:30 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: www.sbimarathon.com

Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
Nov. 10, Fort Oglethorpe, GA

This race is run on a relatively flat two-loop, mostly paved course inside the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park, which commemorates an 1863 Civil War battle for control of the city of Chattanooga a few miles over the Georgia-Tennessee border.

Entry fee: $80
Last year’s winning times: 2:38:59 (men); 2:58:15 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: www.battlefieldmarathon.com

Harrisburg Marathon
Nov. 11, Harrisburg, PA

Set on a mostly flat course on city streets and fine gravel trails (with minor hills at mile 2 and mile 19), the Harrisburg Marathon begins and ends on scenic City Island in the Susquehanna River.

Entry fee: $70
Last year’s winning times: 2:40:17 (men); 3:06:19 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: No
Info: www.harrisburgmarathon.com

Rock ’n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon

Nov. 11, San Antonio, TX

Remember the Alamo! Enjoy Texas hospitality and cruise through this historic city amid mild fall weather. The race starts and finishes adjacent to famous San Antonio River Walk.

Entry fee: $125 (20 percent discount for 2012 NYC Marathon entrants and the race will donate 20 percent to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts)
Last year’s winning times: 2:28:10 (men); 2:46:55 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/

Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon
Nov. 17, Charlotte, NC

A marathon with a stock car racing theme, Charlotte’s Thunder Road Marathon unites running, music, family-friendly entertainment with a hilly course through the heart of North Carolina’s largest city.

Entry fee: $95
Last year’s winning times: 2:37:23 (men); 3:04:58 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: http://www.runcharlotte.com/

Valley of Fire Marathon
Nov. 17, Overton, NV

Run through the stunning red rock desert terrain of Valley of Fire State Park, the course is decidedly hilly and difficult. (One of the hills is even named the “Hill from Hell” so be prepared.)

Entry fee: $90
Last year’s winning times: 3:18:51 (men); 4:03:00 (women)
Boston qualifier: N/A
Half marathon: Yes
Info: http://runvalleyoffire.com/

Northern Central Rail Trail Marathon
Nov. 24, Sparks, MD

Set on an out-and-back, mostly flat course on the Northern Central Railroad Trail, runners meander through quiet farmland along the Gunpowder River. This critically acclaimed race is limited to a field of 550 runners.

Entry fee: $95
Last year’s winning times: 2:39:35 (men); 3:07:05 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: No
Info: http://ncrtrailmarathon.com/

Space Coast Marathon
Nov. 25, Cocoa, FL

Run on a flat out-and-back partially shaded course along the Indian River just minutes from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, this 41^st annual marathon—the oldest in Florida—has a space theme from start to finish.

Entry fee: $100
Last year’s winning times: 2:37:01 (men); 3:11:27 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: http://www.spacecoastmarathon.com/

Zappos.com Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Dec. 2, Las Vegas, NV

One of the few evening marathons in the U.S., the Zapppos.com Rock ’n’ Roll Las Vegas starts just before the sun sets on a pancake flat course through the heart of Las Vegas, including up and down the famous Las Vegas Strip. Offering up a true Las Vegas experience, this race starts and finishes as The Mirage casino.

Entry fee: $185 (20 percent discount for 2012 NYC Marathon entrants and the race will donate 20 percent to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts)
Last year’s winning times: 2:29:12 (men); 2:48:58 (women)
Boston qualifier: Yes
Half marathon: Yes
Info: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/