So you’ve decided that you are ready to run a marathon. How exciting! Now it’s time to choose your first marathon. While the marathon options are usually endless there are some things you will want to think about before you sign up for a race. Here are 5 things to consider when choosing your first marathon.
1. Time to Train
Generally you will want to give yourself 16-18 weeks to train for your first marathon. If you do not already have a base built you may want to give yourself longer than that. Consider the time of year you will be training and racing. Will you be able to train through the middle of winter or the peak of summer?
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2. Location
Are you looking for a local race which will allow you to stay at home the night before your race or are you willing to travel? If you are traveling you will need to consider taking extra time to get there before the race to attend an expo and get your race packet. The location also may impact the weather on race day. Keep these things in mind when choosing your first marathon!
3. Atmosphere
Some races are very big with a great deal of crowd support while others are small and less intimidating but can get a bit lonely. You will want to think about what’s important to you on race day when choosing your first marathon. Will you need alot of crowd support to get you through the hard parts of the race? The bigger races can be a little more challenging to navigate. Smaller ones may feel less intimidating but there may be parts of the course where you are running alone. Generally, bigger races also have more race support (like water stops and medical tents).
4. Terrain
Think about what type of terrain you will want to run on (both in training and on race day). Are you looking for a flat course, something with rolling hills, or trails? Just make sure that you can train on similar terrain to where the race will take place!
5. Logistics
Finally, there may be other logistical issues that you need to keep in mind when choosing your first marathon. For example, is there a cutoff time for the race? Or do you need to enter the race using a lottery system? Once you narrow down some race options make sure you read the website in detail so that you have all the information you need to know before signing up!
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How did you go about choosing your first marathon?
What do you think is the most important consideration for choosing a first marathon?
How far in advance do you usually start planning for a marathon?
Now it’s time for the Runners’ Roundup! Link up your running and fitness posts below! Join myself, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs to post your favorite running tips, experiences, race and training recaps, workouts, gear, and coaching ideas.
Great points, Lisa!
I think location and easy logistics are important points.
My first marathon was at my doorstep in Zurich. I could walk to the start line, which meant that I didn’t have to worry about travelling, drop bags or toilets.
That’s really nice!
That’s really nice! It’s helpful to have less things to worry about so you can focus on the actual race.
This is great and all very good advice! My first marathon was chosen because it was in a place I loved (Reyjkavik) and no one could see me if I failed, given I live in Birmingham and know about three people in Iceland. Of course, a) a running club friend and her family ended up being there to do the half (this was good, as Sushma stood on the finish line in case I didn’t hit the cut-off (I didn’t by a minute) and they didn’t give me my time and medal (they did)), and b) I claimed there wasn’t even a tracker, it was so far away, and discovered 11 months later that my running friends had tracked me and discussed my progress!!
It was good in terms of being in August so I could train through the year, but it was hot for my long runs and I “knew” it wouldn’t be hot for the race (it was!), and the terrain was flat paths, support wasn’t massive but I was OK with that, it was good where it was. And I could visualise part of the race as I’d been up and down the road it was on a good few times, which was nice for training.
It sounds like you made a good choice for your first marathon! It’s nice to have enough people to cheer you on and even a familiar face, but sometimes not knowing anyone is good too if you just want to do the race without much pressure!
I think these are great things to consider before choosing half marathons as well. Logistics and terrain are always considerations for me. The weather that you will train in is just as important as the weather you will run in 🙂
Yes, definitely! Although I will usually suffer through summer training to have a fall race day. I find it harder to train through the winter and then end up having a spring race that’s in warm weather.
Great tips.
I’ve only run ONE!
For me, it was go BIG or go home. This may be my only one so I wanted to run one with all the bells and whistles.
And I could get there by train and also it was near enough that somepeople could come cheer me on.
I also wanted to run one where I knew other runners.
Finally, the timing. It was in November so my longest runs would be in the Fall – not in the dog days of summer.
I started training 16 weeks before but I had to get into the race many many months before
That sounds like a great first marathon! Although a large race like that does involved quite a bit of planning ahead of time. I love November races because they are usually cool and the weather it starting to cool down for the longest training runs.
My first marathon was the Quad Cities Marathon (obviously in the Quad Cities, LOL). I’d heard great things about the event and the race course, and knew it encompassed several bridges across the upper Mississippi River among the four cites. It was very scenic, and the race did not disappoint.
Glad it worked out for you! It’s definitely helpful to plan ahead and know what to expect.
And the medal!!!! You forgot the medal LOL!
Great tips, Lisa!
I think the atmosphere makes such a big difference, especially for a first marathon – those crowd cheers can really carry you when things get tough. I did my first one in Zurich, which was very local and practical for me.
Do you think it’s better for a first-timer to choose a “bucket list” race right away, or start with something smaller and local to learn the ropes?
My first marathon was in Honolulu. My husband used to raise funds for the Leukemia Society and he was so good at it that they gave him an extra entry. It was maybe not the best choice for a first marathon (hot, humid, hills, a zillion people) but I loved it. One nice thing about Honolulu is that they keep the finish line open until the last person finishes, even if its 12 hours! Fortunately, I didn’t take that long. 🙂
For me, picking the right marathon was more important than the training!
I went with Disney, because of the vibes. I knew there was a generous time limit, plenty of aid and all the entertainment on the course. Those aren’t priorities for everyone, but it was for me!