The Marine Corps Historic Half is held in May in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The course starts and finishes near the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, which is at the end of a large shopping area (think about a 2 mile drive past several retail complexes) so there is more then ample parking, but expect backups and delays getting there and leaving, so give yourself plenty of time to get to the race site. Many people delay their departure by going for lunch at one of the 20+ nearby restaurants. There are also shuttles provided from several nearby hotels for both participants and spectators.

The course takes you by several historic landmarks and local sites such as Mary Washington College, Sunken Road (a famous Confederate stronghold during the Civil War), Kenmore Plantation, and downtown Fredericksburg. Almost all roads are closed to traffic, and there is ample police support (and the Marines) to help participants through intersections. The race has a large number of spectators throughout the course.

Preparing for hills is an absolute must on this course. There are several areas with rolling hills or long uphill or downhill stretches, especially the infamous Hospital Hill. That hill runs between mile 10 and 11 and is a long, steep, uphill climb that challenges all participants. Also, expect anything for the temperature- you can have heat and humidity, or cool rain- it changes year to year.

The race has a self-seeded corral start, and a generous walker-friendly time limit. The Marines wait for the last person to finish, and will march in with that person- an awesome site to watch if you are still in the area.

Race the Runways offers a 1 mile race, a 5K and a half marathon. Participants in the 5K or the half can easily do the one-mile race before their other race start. Parking is conveniently close, and bib pickup is inside a nearby gym. You can stay in the gym before and after the race to keep warm. There are indoor bathrooms and porta potties outside near the start.

I did this half marathon in 2014 and 2015. The race used a new course this year for the half marathon that was a positive improvement over the old course- the minor rolling hills at the beginning were removed, and we had more time on the runway.

The course has little to no cars on it (most of the cars you see are actually race support vehicles). As the course is partially on a runway and goes on the roads of an airport, expect occasional strong wind blasts. Also, the water stops are placed outside the runway areas and there is a little bit of a long stretch without water stations (they cannot set them up on the runway). Don't be surprised if there are planes taking offer and landing over you while you're on the course. It's actually a really cool experience. You are never in danger as the runway we're on is closed to air traffic during the event.

The race shirt and medal are excellent. For the price, you get a very well-supported, small race that I would recommend. The course time limits are also walker friendly.

The weather can change drastically from year to year. Plan to wear something you can vent or partially zipper down, as you may find yourself going from cold to warm repeatedly depending upon the wind and where you are on the course.

The Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon is held in conjunction with a full marathon which share the same start and finish but split on the course. Held in December in the off-season, the race gives you a chance to see the scenic area without the tourist traffic, with plenty of options for nearby hotels and race-day parking. The course is almost entirely flat, and has an out and back section that goes in a trail area- think small rocks/stones and dirt roads. The race has a nice after-party, which unfortunately can be quite packed after the half ends.

The weather can change from year to year, but most participants find that they are comfortable in shorts and a short sleeve or long sleeve tech shirt.
To save money on this race- go to their website and join the Facebook group. Look for a special announcement on a 12/31 registration sale for the following year's race. Also, if you are traveling in the area, there are plenty of things for non-runners (aka family members) to do while you are at the race. There is tax-free retail outlet shopping within five minutes of the race site.

I got entry into the 2014 NYC Marathon through the last group of the "three strikes and you're in" program (where if you were denied three consecutive years in the lottery, you had guaranteed entry the fourth year. This program has since been discontinued).

It's New York City, the best city in the world. It's 50,000 people. It's a huge, epic experience that is like no race anywhere else. The volunteers are amazing, the course support is outstanding, and it's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you do the race.

Since there is so much info already on the course, the sites and the experience, I thought I'd share more about what I learned from participating in the race and what I would pass on to those doing it for the first time.

The hardest part is the pre-race logistics. If you are not used to getting up very early and then not having your race start for several hours later, make sure you plan and think it through. I wound up parking in a garage near the finish accessible via subway, then took the subway to the Staten Island Ferry. I took a later ferry to have less time waiting on Staten Island. I wore a throwaway shirt and pants to keep warm during the morning outside wait before my wave start, and I also brought food and drink with me to keep my nutrition up before the race start. I used the porta potties outside the Staten Island ferry drop off before getting on the buses to the staging area- the lines are the smallest there.

The most spectator-lined section of the course was Brooklyn, which was a wonderful several miles of constant cheering, music and support.

The one thing I will say about the course is that it still felt like there were not enough bathrooms on the actual course. In Brooklyn, many people went to businesses and restaurants.

The toughest part of the course is the bridges. With the incline, hard-cement roads, and winds, take these portions easier.

If you are in the last wave and you are a slower runner, keep in mind that the race typically falls on Daylight Savings Time and you may be finishing in the dark. The temperature will also drop. With that being said, I wish I had done bag check instead of the poncho. The poncho does not close all the way, and in 2014, it was cold and windy at the finish. I wish I had my clean, dry, warm clothes to change into. Also, be prepared for a good half-mile walk out after the race whether you check a bag or do the poncho. If you didn't check a bag, change into dry clothes as soon as you can.

Save your energy for the second half, where there will be less spectators, and the sites will be less interesting. Also, the first half is much more crowded as everyone starts off together. Expect to slow down, and even weave and bob a little bit. Focus more on the experience than on your time. Put your name on your shirt and you'll be cheered by your name for hours.

The expo is a good size (not as big as Boston, but still lots of vendors). Bring a cloth bag with you to hold your race goodies, free samples and any items you purchase.