I classify myself as a fair-weather runner, because I pretty much just like to run outside when it’s 60 degrees or warmer.
And sunshine. You’ve got to have sunshine.
I mean, while training for my Relay Marathon last year I totally ran when it was cold and icky, but that is NOT my preference.
Now that the weather is starting to warm up in Maryland, it’s giving me the urge to strap on my running shoes… so I thought it would be a good time to find some upcoming races to add to my schedule.
As I was looking through my options, I was impressed at how many events center around running AND food. I mean, most races provide you with some lame bananas and bagels at the end… but now there are tons of events that combine running and wine, running and beer, and even running and crabs (did I mention I live in Maryland…?)
If you want to get really crazy, there is a Krispy Kreme Challenge race in North Carolina where you run 2.5 miles, eat a dozen donuts and then run 2.5 miles back. I’m not going to lie, that sounds pretty amazing and I’m thinking of taking a little road trip next February! {I’m not sure that I could eat a whole dozen donuts, but there is an option to be a ‘casual runner’ where you can just eat as many donuts as you’d like}
I ran the Charm City Crab 5k last year and thought it was great. I mean, the 5k portion was terrible because it was so hot and humid, but the beer/cider/wine festival with food trucks and crabs was pretty fantastic!
My plans for this year are to run a race every month from April to November, starting with a 5k in Ocean City. Then, I think I’ll hit up the Crab run again, a trail run at a nearby vineyard, actually run the Diva race in September (you can see what happened last year here) and finish with another go at the Team Relay Marathon where I met a penguin at mile 3 last year!
So, now I’m wondering… have you ever run a weird race that combined running with something else?
I think Becky and I met that same penguin at the Zoo Zoom 8k last Fall! So darn cute 🙂
I don’t think I’d recommend the Zoo Zoom 8k. While you do get Zoo admission for the day with your registration, you can’t actually walk around the Zoo until it opens. So if you’re done an hour before it opens, you kind of just stand around waiting. Also, animals don’t care if you just ran almost 5 miles mostly uphill, if it’s cold, they’re not coming out. So, lesson learned.