Races that make my top 5

Thank you to Kim for suggesting this week's topic for the Friday Five.



I'm sure at some point over the years we've wrote a similar post about favorite races. However, I know that my list would not have been exactly the same as it is now because my #1 race is one I just ran this year for the first time.



1. NYC Half Marathon - This by far has been my favorite race ever! That means a lot coming from a Run Disney fan as myself! There is just something magical about running through NYC with thousands of others.  I've been asked if I ever wanted to run this race again and I have mixed feelings about that. Everything just went So perfectly that I don't want to risk it by doing it again. Sure, I was so close to a PR and didn't  even know it. Had I known, I probably could have pushed a little more and made it, but I don't care. Everything else was amazing!


2. Tinkerbell Half  Marathon at Disneyland - I will admit this was this first ( and hopefully last) race I ever shed tears during because I was in so much pain. The run itself was not a good one but I put it as one of my favorites because of the experience. I spent this race weekend with my mom and sister and had a fabulous time at Disneyland before and after the race.  I really liked this course through Anaheim and the Disney Parks. It could have been an easy course had I not been injured. I'd love to have a redemption run for this race, but honestly when it comes down to making that trek all the way across the country, Is probably pass.



3. Atlantic City April Fools race - This one made my list because I love that the entire course is on the boardwalk and I love that it is spent as a girls weekend in one of the glitzy resorts! Last year I missed this race due to trying out the Hershey 10k instead. Now I know I prefer the AC race!



4. Any Disney World race - There is something magical about any Disney race. I know many people who have never run one will stick their nose up at it. Yes they are expensive but they are worth every penny to experience at least once. The expo, the resorts, the photo ops, the start line, the finish line, it's all worth it.  Since I've run all the Disney races at least once, I've backed off Disney for a while so I can use my vacation days for other experiences.




5.  Harvest Festival 5k - I know some people won't get this, but sometimes it's not about the amazing scenery, the photo ops, or the fancy resorts. Sometimes what makes a race a favorite is the people you share it with. Our local Harvest Festival race is that race for me because local friends and family run it. It's so great to root each other on and have spectators on the course who know your name.  The weekend is usually full of events ( and my Dad's birthday) and sometimes there are local fireworks later that night.

What reason would a race make your top 5? -M



38 comments:

  1. I love that NYC made your top spot! I remember how much trepidation you felt going into that one. It really is a wonderful place to run.

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    1. It really was fabulous! But then again, it's a fabulous city!

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  2. I've run quite a few Disney races too. Yes, they are expensive but I also think Disney can do a better job with the perks. I would like the do the Wine and Dine again because when I did it, it rained the whole way and I was miserable. Also, I would like to run the NYC Half Marathon.

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    1. What kind of perks would you like to see at Disney? A free park ticket would be nice to those who finish, or maybe a meal voucher or a discount on rooms maybe?

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    2. Yes, a meal voucher! Or at least more stuff in the goodie bags. I think I only got a small Clif Bar. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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  3. I LOVE the NYC 1/2. It made my top 5, too. I agree on the small local race. One made my 5, too - supports a great cause and we have a great crew who runs every year. It makes me smile for days. Big and small, there are lots of reasons to love racing :)

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    1. It's nice that we can have favorite big races yet still appreciate the small town ones too!

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  4. I have not done a Disney race ever but I know you love them! I've heard the AC race is loads of fun. Thanks for the link up

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    1. Both make great girls' weekends! You should definitely try a Disney race sometime.

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  5. The NYC half sounds great, I'd love to run a race in NYC one day! And that's so true that it's often about the people you run the race with and the experience instead of the race itself :)

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  6. i love that you enjoyed the NYC Half! I haven't run any Disney races yet but I hear they are always a lot of fun.

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  7. People have such great things to say about the April Fools Half. I've considered it -- but the weather is usually atrocious! And, of course, requires training through the winter -- which I don't think I'm up for next year. At some point I really need a little break from training!

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  8. I remember how much you enjoyed the NYC half. It must have been good considering how much you like Disney! Maybe I will run it sometime. I have never run a race in NYC.

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    1. I would love to go back and run through central park just for fun like you have!

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  9. What a great list! You are almost convincing me to run NYC half!

    You have a great variety of races! It's good to have a wide range

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    1. You would love the NYC half! Yes, it is good to have a variety.

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  10. I really wanna do a Disney race! It's on my bucket list for sure

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    1. You will have a blast at either Disney world or land!

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  11. It's fun to read about race favorites, especially from someone who lives in a different part of the country. :)

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  12. I like all the major races I do. Tink was great because it was my comeback race, and I loved racing at Disneyland. The Bolder Boulder was so incredibly organized, and I never felt that it was crowded. Of course Princess is special since it was my first half marathon. I'm sure I could come up with reasons for all my races.

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  13. Yes to any Disney world race! The NYC half sounds like an amazing one!

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  14. I've heard only good things about the Disney races... I've yet to run one. I totally get why a local hometown race would be a favorite!

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    1. Disney is such an amazing race experience but hometown races can be nice too!

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  15. I stuck to half marathons for my post because it was hard enough to choose 5 favorites from that distance alone! 😂

    I know what you mean about the Harvest 5k. When I lived in MN there was a 5k that I tried to run every year. The course changed year to year. Some years I ran it solo, some years I convinced others to run it too. Every year I loved it! It was just a fun one thru downtown Minneapolis, but I do kind miss not being able to run it now that I live in Vegas.

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  16. NYC is on my list but I never get into the lottery. I may try the travel agency next year like you did. Atlantic City is on my list as well.

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  17. I'm going to have to call it a draw--I have so many great memories from my races!

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  18. I've only run local races thus far, so I totally get your #5! I love my small local races. Not sure I would enjoy the HUGE popular races as much.

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  19. These all sound so fun. I really think the overall experience is what makes me love a race. The atmosphere, the people, the location, the weather... all combined is what makes some of my favorites really special.

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  20. A race that is FUN (preferably all weekend) makes it to my top 5! My list: Flying Pig Half, ZOOMA Cape Cod, NYC Half, Ragnar Relays (any), Newport 10 Miler.

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  21. I completely agree that it's usually who you share the experience with that makes it a great race. Stunning scenery is a close second. A Disney race never disappoints.

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  22. Although this race would not make my top 5 (and probably not even crack the top 25), our town has had a half marathon (it's happened on intermittent years). Both times I have run it, the weather has been dreadfully hot, humid, and windy. But, there have been so many locals volunteering and spectating, it's always fun having a "fan club" along the route to keep your spirits up.

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  23. My two runDisney race experiences thus far have been worth every penny spent. I am very much looking forward to my third, which will be a girl's weekend at Princess in February. I cannot wait!

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