My Marathon Choices for April - Needs just one!

I narrowed it down to these 3 race events to try and BQ. I know Eugene is a great one but the cost is a bit high to fly. How about the others


April 29^th – Sunday Eugene Oregon – leave 27 depart 29^th
– flight $600 pp







April 28^th – Saturday Champagin Illinois Marathon– Leave 26
depart 28^th – flight $300 pp







April 21^st – Saturday Carmel, Indiana Carmel Marathon – Leave 19
depart 21^st – flight $400 non stop (2 hours)

Kenny, did you check the cost for flying into Eugene or Portland? Best to check fares through both airports. Eugene is usually far more expensive... but there can be exceptions.

Why don't you wait a month and join us all at Bayshore?

I actually heard good things about Carmel (someone in my running group did it last year).I would check flying to Portland though as I think Eugene is a must do/see. I was just in Seattle this past weekend and i did not get enough of the PNW.

Are you not running Napa? That's a BQ course (says a non BQ runner).

I've heard good things about the IL one from a friend who grew up there and has done the half a few times. Is Bayshore full?

Thanks for feedback. Ideally I'd like to do Eugene but seems to high of a cost to fly there.

Napa was suppose to be a long vacation for us which we just can't do right now. So it looks like Napa is out of the equation. I am considering now Carmel and Illinois I have to look at hotels, logistics and courses get down to the nitty gritty .

Kenny B. wrote:Thanks for feedback. Ideally I'd like to do Eugene but seems to high of a cost to fly there.

Napa was suppose to be a long vacation for us which we just can't do right now. So it looks like Napa is out of the equation. I am considering now Carmel and Illinois I have to look at hotels, logistics and courses get down to the nitty gritty .

I recommend Illinois. I am running it and I am sure we may end up with a couple more 365 runners who may end up down here. I would bet the hotels in Champaign-Urbana are cheaper than Carmel. As far as the course, it is flat and fast. The only hill to speak of is in mile 25 and once you get to the top it is clear sailing to the finish line in Memorial Stadium where you get to see yourself on the jumbotron and finish at the 50 yard line.

Logistics are a breeze, plenty of free parking within a 5 minute walk to the start line. If you stay at the I-Hotel you can literally walk out the front door to the start line.

Jeff F wrote:

Kenny B. wrote:Thanks for feedback. Ideally I'd like to do Eugene but seems to high of a cost to fly there.

Napa was suppose to be a long vacation for us which we just can't do right now. So it looks like Napa is out of the equation. I am considering now Carmel and Illinois I have to look at hotels, logistics and courses get down to the nitty gritty .

I recommend Illinois. I am running it and I am sure we may end up with a couple more 365 runners who may end up down here. I would bet the hotels in Champaign-Urbana are cheaper than Carmel. As far as the course, it is flat and fast. The only hill to speak of is in mile 25 and once you get to the top it is clear sailing to the finish line in Memorial Stadium where you get to see yourself on the jumbotron and finish at the 50 yard line.

Logistics are a breeze, plenty of free parking within a 5 minute walk to the start line. If you stay at the I-Hotel you can literally walk out the front door to the start line.

I guess that would mean there's no football game scheduled (hotel room availability)?

Jeff,

I can't get a freakin hotel for the Illinois Marathon unless its outside of walking distance all else is booked. Suggestions? I don't plan on renting a car.

Kenny B. wrote:Thanks for feedback. Ideally I'd like to do Eugene but seems to high of a cost to fly there.

Napa was suppose to be a long vacation for us which we just can't do right now. So it looks like Napa is out of the equation. I am considering now Carmel and Illinois I have to look at hotels, logistics and courses get down to the nitty gritty .

Bummer. I was hoping to finally meet Kenny B. in Napa. Also, I agree with others about Eugene. I did Eugene in 2010, and highly recommend it.

Glenn wrote:

Kenny B. wrote:Thanks for feedback. Ideally I'd like to do Eugene but seems to high of a cost to fly there.

Napa was suppose to be a long vacation for us which we just can't do right now. So it looks like Napa is out of the equation. I am considering now Carmel and Illinois I have to look at hotels, logistics and courses get down to the nitty gritty .

Bummer. I was hoping to finally meet Kenny B. in Napa. Also, I agree with others about Eugene. I did Eugene in 2010, and highly recommend it.

Unless I just go out there for the weekend which might be a remote possibility. right flight is $198 roundtrip for certain airlines. wow!

Just checked Southwest Airlines out of Newark to PDX, and it was $358 roundtrip per person.



Just sayin'...