DISCLAIMER: I received my entry into the Miami Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.

I am from Orlando, so I drove approximately 3.5 hours to get to Miami on Saturday afternoon so I could pick up my bib before race morning. Bib pickup was held at a Nike store, and it was hard to find parking that was close to the store. The store was very busy, but there were signs pointing towards bib pickup. It was nothing more than that - handed a bib and a shirt and on my way. There was no expo. For a local race, I think this is fine, but I’ve also seen local races put on expos, even if they are small. I headed to my hotel after picking up my bib and assembled my flat runner.

I had no idea what to expect with parking, so I went with the first garage listed on the race website. This ended up working out and I paid $20 to park about a half mile from the start line. I usually prefer free parking on race mornings, but being unfamiliar with the area put me at a disadvantage. It was incredibly windy, but the walk to the start line was easy enough. I met up with the other Bib Rave Pros and then found a spot to wait for the start of the race.

It was hard to hear the announcer at the start, so I had no idea what was happening until the crowd of people was moving. I started the race at 6:20am.

I enjoyed this course and getting to see Miami on foot. The causeways are hard and there are 4 of them. We had wind, so going into downtown was great but coming back we battled. I loved getting to run past the cruise ships. The aid stations were fine, though nothing special. Gels were given out around the halfway mark. There seemed to be no medical aid stations on the course, though I noticed one at the finish line.

I finished this race in the back of the pack, and the course finishes on an open sidewalk/park near the beach. It was crowded with people visiting the beach that day and at one point I questioned if I was still on course. This was the only part of the course that felt non-race like, and it was a bit disappointing. I was well within the time limit with others around me, but the “course” was crowded with those visiting the beach. Once we rounded the corner to the finish line, I could still hear the announcer and everything at the finish line was still set up for us.

The medal is a lock with “unlock Miami” on the ribbon. It was a unique design, but overall I felt it was a little lackluster compared to what they’ve done in previous years. The shirt design is the same way - this year’s was a key to keep with the “unlock Miami” theme, but it’s not a race shirt I see myself wearing again.

Overall, it’s a fun course with some challenges. If you’re a Miami local, this race is for you! I enjoyed myself, but also found myself wanting more out of the experience.

The Boston marathon is THE marathon. I received my bib just 2.5 months before the race and the entire experience was a whirlwind from start to finish. The course is HARD, with elevation gains in miles 16-21. The downhill start fools you and makes you think you’re feeling good, but comes back to hit you in the later miles. The crowd support at Boston is unmatched, and I would love to return one day!

This is hands down my favorite local 10k. I have run it every year since 2017. Track Shack puts on an awesome race, with a beautiful course. It is a little hilly with some cobblestone, but this race is home to my 10k PR. It has a 2 mile race beforehand if you are up for a challenge and offers great amenities afterwards. Winter Park is a beautiful city and I will return to this race time and time again.

I absolutely love the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. The 26.2 mile course goes through all 4 parks and takes you on an epic journey around property. As a local to Orlando, I love getting to run through the parks that I visit so often. runDisney puts on a very well organized race, and handled the heat of 2020 well. I look forward to this race weekend every year.

Akron is my hometown and I absolutely loved this race! The organizers are super active and encouraging on social media. Akron is very hilly, but it was very scenic. They offer a half and a full, but with a 6 hour time limit. The expo was fantastic for a local race. The finish is in Canal Stadium, which is super cool! The course runs by Swensons, and they give out milkshake shots on the course. Highly recommend this Northeast Ohio race.