Run, Karla, Run!

The finish of the 2014 TCS New York City Marathon (Photo: Courtesy of NYRR)

Registration for the 2015 TCS New York City Marathon lottery opened on Thursday, January 15, which means one thing: marathon registration season is here!

Here’s how and when to register for the 20 biggest marathons in the U.S. Some of them are even among the biggest marathons in the world. And guess what? Most of them sell out before race day.

Half-marathoners, keep in mind that many of these events have 13.1-mile races the same weekend. So if you don’t want to go 26.2, you’ve still got options.

20 Biggest Marathons in the U.S.

1. TCS New York City Marathon

New York
50,266 finishers in 2013
#1 in the U.S. and #1 in the world
Next race: November 1, 2015
Registration: Lottery open now until February 15, 2015 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Drawing is March 3, 2015. Charity entries will become available in March through most groups. Entry via Team For Kids available now. Entry via International Travel Partners will also be available.
Half Marathon? No

2. Bank of America Chicago Marathon

Illinois
38,879 finishers in 2013
#2 in the U.S. and #2 in the world
Next Race: October 11, 2015
Registration: Lottery opens March 10-April 21. Charity entries will be available.
Half Marathon? No

3. Marine Corps Marathon

Washington, D.C.
23,380 finishers in 2013
#3 in the U.S. and #8 in the world
Next Race: October 25, 2015
Registration: Lottery opens March 13-22, 2015. Selected runners will be notified on March 25. Charity entries will available. Bib transfers will also be available.
Half Marathon? No

4. Honolulu Marathon

Hawaii
22,064 finishers in 2013
#4 in the U.S. and #9 in the world
Next Race: December 13, 2015
Registration: Open now for Hawaii residents. Opens January 19 for U.S. and Canadian residents. Not a lottery and no field cap, so it doesn’t sell out.
Half Marathon? No

5. Walt Disney World Marathon

Florida
20,734 finishers in 2013
#5 in the U.S. and #10 in the world
Next Race: January 10, 2016
Registration: Opens April 28, 2015. Not a lottery, but the 2014 race sold out in August in just under four months.
Half Marathon? Yes. Registration opens at the same time as the marathon. Run both and get a special medal for completing Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge. Read the rest of this entry →

Runners at the Marine Corps Marathon. (Photo: Cpl. Bryan G. Lett/US Marine Corp)

UPDATED info for 2015 is here!

How To Run America’s 20 Biggest Marathons in 2015

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Still deciding what marathon you want to run in the next 12 months? I am! The 15 biggest marathons in the U.S. are a common place to start.

Over the last few months, I’ve been posting when lotteries and registrations open for many popular races, from large runDisney events to a small 7-miler in Key West, half-marathons in New York to major marathons all over the U.S. It’s always frustrating to discover a race you want to run is already sold-out.

So here’s how and when to register for America’s 15 biggest marathons. Some of them are even among the biggest marathons in the world. And guess what? Most of them sell out before race day.

Half-marathoners, keep in mind that many of these events have 13.1-mile races the same weekend. So if you don’t want to go 26.2, you’ve still got options.

Biggest Marathons in the U.S. in 2013

1. TCS New York City Marathon

New York
50,266 finishers
#1 in the U.S. and #1 in the world
Next race: November 2, 2014
Registration: Lottery closed. Charity entries available.
Half Marathon? No Read the rest of this entry →