How To Run America’s 20 Biggest Marathons in 2015
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.
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
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
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
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 →