What would be a good first marathon to run?

[Soccermom]

Think someone who is not very fast.

I live near San Francisco, but don't know if that would be a good first marathon or not. Plus, I am just getting back into running and the San Francisco marathon is July 26.

[cougjunkie]

Think someone who is not very fast.

I live near San Francisco, but don't know if that would be a good first marathon or not. Plus, I am just getting back into running and the San Francisco marathon is July 26.

Do they still do Bay to Breakers? My Aunt used to run in that every year.

[cowboy]

Think someone who is not very fast.

I live near San Francisco, but don't know if that would be a good first marathon or not. Plus, I am just getting back into running and the San Francisco marathon is July 26.

Run in San Diego. That's supposed to be a fun race, and you'll want something that is close to sea level and relatively flat.

[bluegoose]

San Diego or Sacramento (1st weekend in Dec)would both be great.

My first one last November was in Sac, called Run By The River. It was a great one to start with. Nearly flat the whole way, on a running/biking bath, with about 18 inches of gravel on either side of the path if you need a break from concrete. They had a few hang-ups with it being their first year, but overall a nice run.

I've always thought the Bizz Johnson marathon in Susanville CA would be a good one to do. Its a hefty drive from SJ, but it is flat-to-downhill the whole way and 90% dirt and or crushed gravel. Second week in Oct.

There are 2 up in Oregon which would be great first marathons to do. One in Bend and one on the coast in Newport (I believe).

My wife's first 2 years ago was Lake Tahoe. Not a good one to start out with. Beautiful scenery, but a brutal course.

[ERCougar]

Run in San Diego. That's supposed to be a fun race, and you'll want something that is close to sea level and relatively flat.

I agree...this and NYC are the only two marathons that are tempting to me anymore.

[marsupial]

This one.

[BigPiney]

I have heard really good things about the Big Sur marathon. That is jsut down the coast a ways.

Shoot for this for next year: http://www.bsim.org/site3.aspx

[Teenage Dirtbag]

Think someone who is not very fast.

I live near San Francisco, but don't know if that would be a good first marathon or not. Plus, I am just getting back into running and the San Francisco marathon is July 26.

Take a look at the Nike Women's Marathon in SF in October. There are some hills, but hills never killed anybody. They have some nice touches for the ladies. A fireman in a tux gives you your Tiffany finisher's medal in the little blue box, (if you're into that sort of thing).

[beelzebabette]

I have heard really good things about the Big Sur marathon. That is jsut down the coast a ways.

Shoot for this for next year: http://www.bsim.org/site3.aspx

Good to know. I thought about doing this one when I was looking for another six months after the fall marathons in Utah. The views look amazing. Then I discovered it was on Sunday. I've been reconsidering that position (for 2010), and it's good to know people like it.

[marsupial]

I have heard really good things about the Big Sur marathon. That is jsut down the coast a ways.

Shoot for this for next year: http://www.bsim.org/site3.aspx

I heard it is beautiful but brutal and to add at least 20 minutes to your typical marathon time.

[Soccermom]

Good to know. I thought about doing this one when I was looking for another six months after the fall marathons in Utah. The views look amazing. Then I discovered it was on Sunday. I've been reconsidering that position (for 2010), and it's good to know people like it.

I'm not adverse to running marathons on Sundays, so if you are game, we should shoot for 2010 together.

[beelzebabette]

I'm not adverse to running marathons on Sundays, so if you are game, we should shoot for 2010 together.

Done.