Fall marathons are sought after by most runners for many reasons. One of the biggest reasons distance runners love fall marathons is because of the weather. There is nothing quite like running in the crisp, cool air of fall.
Most areas of the US have mild weather during the fall, making it the perfect time to attempt your first marathon or a new PR. October marathons and November marathons are some of the most popular – and for good reason!
The Best Fall Marathons in the US:
- TCS New York City Marathon
- Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
- Detroit Free Press Marathon
- Bank of America Chicago Marathon
- Marine Corps Marathon
- St. George Marathon
- Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
- Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon
- Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon
- Portland Marathon
- United States Air Force Marathon
- Guthrie Wineglass Marathon
- Steamtown Marathon
- Baltimore Marathon
- California International Marathon
- Philadelphia Marathon
Luckily, there are plenty of options when it comes to running a fall marathon. So much so, that it can be overwhelming to decide where to begin when looking for a race. Many runners begin their search by narrowing the location: the begin by searching for fall marathons in the Midwest, on the East Coast, etc. Others begin by searching for a specific month: they know they want to run an October or November marathon.
However, the majority of distance runners know that they way to make their marathon experience memorable, and are determined to find the best fall marathon.
As distance runners, we can all relate to the excitement that comes with fall marathons. Between the weather, timing of training and abundance of race choices, fall seems like the perfect time to run a marathon.
When should I start training for a fall marathon?
Most runners begin training for fall marathons sometime in the summer. Depending on the length of your training plan and date of your race, you’ll usually find yourself starting training sometime around mid-summer.
Starting to train in the heat of the summer and continuing to increase mileage as the temperatures gradually cool is a great way to set yourself up for success on race day.
Choosing a goal race that takes place when the weather is cool and the scenery is beautiful is ideal for most runners.
These optimal conditions are why so many of the biggest, top marathons take place sometime in the fall. And while having a plethora of choices is certainly a good thing, deciding on a single race can often feel overwhelming.
Deciding to run a fall marathon is a big commitment. Choosing to dedicate 12, 16 or even 20 weeks to long runs, interval workouts and cross training is not a decision to be taken lightly. Finding the right training plan and committing to train may seem like a pivotal step – but selecting the right race is often just as important.
If you are willing to travel to run a fall marathon, there is no doubt that you can find your “perfect race”. Regardless of whether you’re willing to travel across the United States or limiting yourself to driving distance from home, there are plenty of fall marathons for you.
