Have you started planning your fall racing schedule? Or, I should say, have you started thinking about your fall, winter, and spring training schedule? Yes, I am currently planning that far ahead. I generally don’t jump into races randomly (the Big Bear 10k was an exception to prove the rule). I like to plan, train accordingly, line up my accommodations, and so on. So, with that being said, here are five great races you will love, so I hope you will join me! Let’s go racing!
Disclosure: I am an ambassador for several of these races, and have received free entries or other perks. I only recommend the great ones, though!
Let’s Go Racing! Five Great Races You Will Love!
I'm planning my fall and winter racing schedule, how about you? From the desert to the sea, here are five races you will love! Check out my list and find out what makes them great! Let's go racing! #runningClick To Tweet
Temecula Half Marathon
The race: First up on the calendar is the Temecula Half Marathon, which is on October 21.
What it offers: You can run the half marathon or 5k through the beautiful wine country of Temecula, California.
What makes it great: Aside from the beautiful course, cool weather of Southern California, wine stopper finisher’s medals, and a family atmosphere, the Temecula Half Marathon has a Wine Tasting Garden!
Save and sign up: Save 15% with the code AMBDEBBIE15. The code should autofill with this link.
The Malibu Half Marathon
The race: The Malibu Half Marathon is held on November 4.
What it offers: You can run the half marathon or the 5k which take place along the scenic Malibu coast. It’s possible that you might run alongside a celebrity (or be part of the filming of a reality show, which happened a few years ago). You might even get to meet Dr. K!
What makes it great: Aside from the beautiful scenery and Southern California coastal weather, Alan is the race announcer and will bring you home in style! You’ll find me working at the race store (and possibly directing traffic on race morning!).
Sign up: This race will sell out, so if you’d like to join me in beautiful Malibu, sign up here soon.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas
The Race: You really need to do Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas at least once in your life! Join me on November 10 & 11.
What it offers: With a 5k on Saturday, and a 10k, half marathon, and marathon on Sunday, Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas has something for everybody! No other event closes down the Las Vegas Strip at night! Plus, if you’re a bling lover, check these out (you’ll need to hit the play button to see them in their full glory):
Read 'em and weep.
You + this bling will make the perfect match on the Las Vegas #StripatNight in November.
Introducing your 2018 @Toyota Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Finisher Medals! https://t.co/wjhTMcC6B8 pic.twitter.com/gztawGWuDD
— Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series (@RunRocknRoll) July 3, 2018
What makes it great: Hey, it’s Vegas Baby! Run the strip at night! Lot’s of entertainment on the course, and, of course, the Headliner (to be announced)!
Sign up: I don’t currently have a code for this race, but if that changes I’ll let you know. You can sign up here.
Sprouts Mesa-PHX Marathon
The Race: Winter like a snowbird at the Sprouts Mesa-PHX Marathon on February 9, 2019.
What it offers: You have the option to run the marathon, half marathon or 10k in the perfect winter weather of Mesa, Arizona. That should almost be enough, especially for those of you who will be in the dead of winter at that time!
What makes it great: The Sprouts Mesa-PHX Marathon is a perfect Boston qualifier! Just check out this elevation chart:
Save and sign up: Save $10 on your marathon or half marathon entry with the code COACHDEBBIERUNS10! Sign up here.
Carlsbad 5000
The race: While a date hasn’t been set yet (usually the first Sunday in April), the Carlsbad 5000 is definitely a race you should not miss.
What it offers: Billed as the World’s Fastest 5k, the Carlsbad 5000 is a beautiful coastal run through the village of Carlsbad, California. There are kids’ races on Saturday, and the 5k and All Day 20k on Sunday.
What makes it great: The 5k races are broken up by gender and age (generally), and the elite races are separate too, so runners have the chance to spectate the fastest runners in the world (and potentially see a world record)! The All Day 20 is a great concept and some the most fun I’ve ever had in a race. You get to run all the races! Except for the elite ones, of course.
Sign up: Unfortunately, since the date hasn’t been set you can’t sign up yet, but keep your eyes open. This race is worth the wait!
There you go! Five races you will love! These are destination races that are perfect for a racecation because they are all in fun and beautiful locations that have great weather for racing. I hope to see you at one of them!
Have you ever done any of these races?
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Lora Marie, Marc, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
Weekly Wrap with Wendy and Holly
Vegas was my first half.
and then I did it again the next year . . . I already have a half the end of October, though.
Picking one for CA. is really hard! So many great ones!
I have a half at the end of October too (actually the Temecula Half).
I have only done the Vegas marathon from your list. I have always wanted to do a wine themed race.
I think I’m more excited about the wine than about Vegas!
RnR Vegas was my favorite half-such a fun experience to run down the strip at night. The crowd support is amazing. Would definitely do it again sometime
I haven’t done it yet (even though I’ve signed up the last two years). I’m excited, though I think I’m going to have a conflict with a Ragnar trail race that weekend. #oops
I have not done any of these races. Lately, my racecations have been trail races. So many good ones in California. I would love to do a trail race in Colorado or Utah next!
I do love trail races, though I haven’t done many. Looks like I’m going to be doing Ragnar Trail Los Coyotes in November!
I want to run ALL of them! Carlsbad 5000 has long been on the bucket list, but now that I see that elevation chart on the Sprouts Mesa Marathon, I think that is DEFINITELY going to be on my list in next year
That’s why I want to do it too! See if I have another BQ in me at my age.
I’m a big plan ahead guy! All those look great!
Races are too expensive these days to just randomly run. I guess I’m too competitive (even at my age!).
I’d love to do Carlsbad 5000 if I lived closer to California. That race always looks like it’s so much fun.
I did RnR Vegas but it was a one and done for me.
It is so much fun! Definitely worth a racecation.
I’d love to do the Carlsbad 5000. My old roommate lives out there in Redondo Beach and I owe her a visit. Hmmmm….
Sounds like the beginning of a plan to me!
These all sound like great races! Its always nice to get away to somewhere warm in the winter.
We have such great weather out west. Well, not today, but…
R’n’R Vegas was so much fun! Of course, it was a major rally back event for me, and I had several awesome blogger gal pals there with me. I have been eyeing Carlsbad forever…but I always had a busy spring (Prom, dance recital, graduations)…maybe 2019 will be the year I could actually swing it since all of my non-running obligations will be obsolete.
Yes! It’s such a great event, different from anything I’ve done. And we always have a lot of bloggers around.
These all look great. How fun is that Vegas race!! it’s Vegas Baby!
I haven’t done it yet (something seems to come up every year) but it looks like so much fun!