This year I am doing a series to showcase Marathons in America worth traveling for. Today is the 3rd race in the series. If you'd like to check out the previous marathons worth traveling for, you can visit this page HERE.
While there are many different distances, for this series I am focusing specifically on the Marathon, 26.2. Because for myself that is the only distance I travel around to run and it's easier to write on what you know!
This week I'd like to take you on a marathon adventure that is not only scenic and stunning, but also historically amazing.
Freedom's Run Marathon in West Virginia
I really enjoyed this marathon, I can't say enough good things about it. It was the perfect combination of tough and enjoyable. Definitely a marathon for a runner who trains well and enjoys a great diverse and beautiful course.
This is one race that I hope to make it back to again one day, let me tell you a few reasons why I consider it a race worth traveling for:
It's a point to point course. You'll start and end in West Virginia cross over into for part of it Maryland. It's also very well organized. I actually felt this race was put on by organizers who know exactly what runners want.
You'll feel like this marathon is their main event. While they also do have a half marathon, 10K and 5K for those who prefer shorter distances. If you know me and my blog, you know I love races that host marathons and make the runners feel like the 26.2 is their main event.
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Freedom’s Run A marathon definitely worth traveling for; @freedomsrunorg @runwybridlplanr #runchat http://goo.gl/ewbTVZ
Each of their races run different courses, even if they may overlap a little, I actually didn't see any of the runners in the other distances myself so it did not overcrowd the trails at all. (Although I am sure they make each distance feel equally important.)
Small town race and hospitality feel. They only allow up to 1,000 runners to run the full marathon. So you get to enjoy less crowds and a more peaceful times while you are out on the trails and country roads. One of the best parts, your either running in National Parks, trails or country roads so for most the race you are away from traffic and crowds.
This race is full on American History, you can learn something new just about everywhere you go. You can visit more American history in the 26.2 miles of this marathon than most people do in a lifetime.
I highly recommend you learn a little about the area so when you go you can enjoy the different parts of history you pass through as well as take some time and visit and tour the National Parks either before or after the race. It's well worth the time to do so!
It's run in the fall, the temps are perfect and cooler, the area is just stunning. You'll have breathtaking views of the Shenandoah River. As well as amazing views of the Potomac from the country roads and trails you'll be running along.
The entire race is run on National Park land - In fact 4 National Parks and 3 Civil War Towns to be exact. A few of which are; Harpers Ferry, C&O Canal, Antietam, Historic Sharpsburg and Shepardstown.
On a side note, if your lucky (I was) as I was running through Antietam near Bloody Lane allowing my mind to wander and think about the history. If you listen carefully you might even hear the gunshots. Yes, the Visitors Center up above does a few gunshot shows and you may get a chance to hear the shots ring out as you are passing along this historic section.
Definitely a race for hill lovers. In fact most all the major hills are in the second half of the race. You'll love it, because not only are you running through Antietam hills of history, but the scenery is just beautiful. However, if you allow your mind to recollect the historic battles that took place in this part of the country, you'll be able to direct your mind away from the hills remembering that many died.
You can take a ghost tour before or after the race. The ghosts of civil war pasts they say haunt the area. It's a fun way to add a little spook into your trip and try something new. Who knows you might actually see a ghost...
It was the only race I have found yet where you actually get to run down a spiral staircase as you run across next to the B&O railroad and cross the bridge that goes over where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers merge together.
Last, it's about half a trail run and half road race. However, the trails (except when raining) nicely hard packed and very easy to run on.
Interested or want to learn more? You can learn more from their website HERE.
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Freedom’s Run A marathon definitely worth traveling for; @freedomsrunorg @runwybridlplanr #runchat http://goo.gl/ewbTVZ
Note: For my Marathons Worth Traveling For Series. All pictures are my own. None were taken during the actual race itself, they are usually taken in and around the area before or after race day. Also, I was not asked to promote any of these races. The races chosen for this series this year are ones I enjoyed more over other marathons, and found the area's they are held in amazing places to visit.
Wow, those photos are breathtaking but that course looks tough. I would enjoy the historical aspect of this marathon, but since I have no hills where I live, it would be a tough run for sure. The idea of a race focusing on the marathoners is very appealing too....that is one of the reasons I love the big marathons I have done, Marine Corps, NYC and Boston
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful course! I'm really enjoying this series. Those hills look challenging, but add to the beauty.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a beautiful course. How is the support along the route?
ReplyDeleteYour pictures always make me want to run the marathon that you are talking about.....I am not running a marathon but you surely make it very pretty to visualize!!
ReplyDeleteI want to travel for a race one day... but I have the hardest time getting out of my house to get to local ones :) haha ... I'll do it though somewhere - bucket list item!
ReplyDeleteWow, it looks like a beautiful race! I love that there is all that history in addition to the beautiful scenery. The hills sound tough though.
ReplyDeleteThe first half of the course if fairly flat, the hills are in the later part. But it's so pretty it makes it easy to power through them.
ReplyDeleteOh ya I love races that focus or only hold marathons. I do love the big marathons, and the ones that have been around a while because they do put the focus on the marathon and I think a lot of runners really like that!
It's great course support. Since many of it is on trails the support is where it needs to be, but isn't exact. But most runners don't care about exact water stations as long as they are there that is all that matters right!
ReplyDeleteThe hill in the Harpers Ferry city picture isn't part of the course:)
ReplyDeleteActually most of the course is fairly flat, the hills don't come on until later, but sometimes races with a challenge and beautiful scenery hold more appeal than a flat course:) at least to me:)
Thanks! This is a beautiful race and area to visit. So even if you have no plans to run a marathon if you are ever in this part of the country and you enjoy history its a stunning place to visit!
ReplyDeleteLOL A few years back a friend asked me which local races I was enjoying lately. When I told her I hadn't ran a local one in years she looked at me like I was crazy. At the time I was focusing on my 50 states goal so I was spending all my money on those instead. So yeah, I have the opposite problem as you, LOL LOL
ReplyDeleteYou've been to the area so you already know the beauty! I love Civil War history too, as well as any type of American History so yeah this race was one I enjoyed for so many reasons, and one of the reason's it's made my marathons worth traveling for list:)
ReplyDeleteMost the race is fairly flat, the hills come in the 2nd half, but if you are a runner who loves a challenge then this is an awesome race for it. But not so much that it kills ya, If I remember only one hill really took a lot out of me the rest were fun. But I love hills:) It is a beautiful race and great history a wonderful area to visit!
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting another gorgeous looking race, Kristy! I'm such a history lover so I'm sure I would love running past all these areas of historic significance. Running down a spiral staircase toward the end of a marathon sounds tough - even tougher than the hills!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a a great marathon to run! Love that there is history, challenging hills, and beautiful landscapes! Love that bridge shot!
ReplyDeleteThe scenery looks great but you lost me at hills. I try to avoid races with hills (at least at this point in my running career).
ReplyDeleteActually the spiral staircase is in the first half of the race, it's not that bad at all. In fact it's at a perfect point because the crowd has thinned out by then, it wasn't tough at all, just unique.
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably love this race, it's absolutely gorgeous and the history in the area is facinating!
Oh it's such a great race, you'd love it! That bridge is the exact one you run over to get across to run along the other side of the river through a forest trail run into Antietam its a great race!
ReplyDeleteLOL Oh but your missing out! Challenging races and hilly races through gorgeous places are the best kind. It's actually for the most part flat the hills aren't until after the 2nd half:)
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing pictures, they tell the story beautifully :) It looks like a great event. I have only been to WVA a few times, crazy since it is so close and before I got injured I started looking at half's there. Some races are meant to go fast, and some are just to enjoy the scenery and taking in what is around you. I hope I get to this event one day :)
ReplyDeleteI love your Travel Tuesday feature! You have such great insights and the races you've presented are "off the beaten path" yet gems in their own right. This one looks perfect! Ok hilly, but still.
ReplyDeleteWoot woot for West Virginia! It's such a gorgeous place (especially in the fall)!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! this looks like a great race (minus those hills) :) You do find great places to visit and run!
ReplyDeleteThis race could definitely be either. I had a pretty decent time in it, most the course is flat until towards the end, but the hills were just the right amount of tough, but not so much to really slow ya down. But yes the scenery is awesome, if you ever get the chance to run this event you'll love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Marcia! I am pretty particular for what I look for when I travel for a race, and there has to be lots of reasons both for the race and the area if I am going to travel to run one, so it's been fun to start introducing you all to some of as you called them gems I have found while visiting the states to run them!
ReplyDeleteOh yes it is! Such a beautiful state and area to visit!
ReplyDeleteThe hills aren't really that bad. In fact most the race is fairly flat, the hills aren't until the 2nd half and I found they don't slow you down all that much because you're already into the goove by the time you get to them. Plus the scenery is super distracting, LOL
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy finding unique races and places to visit when I run and travel, and I am enjoying sharing them with you all.
Gorgeous pictures as always! You are kinda inspiring me to maybe run this one next year!!
ReplyDeleteI love a racecation! You may have to do a half marathon version for me :)
ReplyDeleteOh it's a great race if you do, you'll love it!
ReplyDelete