Ten Largest U.S. Marathons – Race Profiles

Event	Next Race	Last Race: # of Finishers
1) ING New York City Marathon	Sunday, November 1, 2009	38,096
2) B of A Chicago Marathon	Sunday, October 11, 2009	31,344
3) Boston Marathon	Monday, April 19, 2010	22,843
4) Honolulu Marathon	Sunday, December 13, 2009	20,061
5) Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC)	Sunday, October 25, 2009	18,219
6) Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL)	Sunday, January 10, 2010	14,948
7) City of Los Angeles Marathon	Sunday, March 21, 2010	14,233
8 ) Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon	Sunday, June 6, 2010	13,391
9) Medtronics Twin Cities Marathon (MN)	Sunday, October 4, 2009	7,979
10) Portland (OR) Marathon	Sunday, October 4, 2009	7,856

 

 

1) ING New York City Marathon  – Sunday, November 1, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  38,096
Marathon Pal says:   If any marathon could honestly claim to be the world’s favorite, it is New York City.  No other event attracts such a high proportion of international runners from so wide a range of countries.  They are drawn by the unique appeal of the city and the big-event atmosphere created by the international runners and the crowds that flood onto the streets to support, entertain and motivate them.  This is the original big-city marathon, and an event that every runner should experience at least once in their lifetime.
The Course:  Starting from the huge expanse of the Verrazano Narrows Bridge on Staten Island, the course offers a cultural tour through New York’s ethnic diversity as it meanders through the five boroughs, finishing in Central Park.
Highs:  The six-deep crowd on First Avenue as you enter Manhattan for the first time.
Lows:  The three-hour wait at the holding complex before the 11am start.
Watch out for:  The rolling hills over the final miles in Central Park.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

2) B of A Chicago Marathon – Sunday, October 11, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  31,344
Marathon Pal says:   It may not have the crowds of New York City or the history of Boston, but in nearly all other respects Chicago now holds the edge as America’s best and biggest marathon.  From its nadir in 1987 when the event was cancelled, Chicago has re-established its world-class credentials with a supremely fast course, excellent race management and an exceptional concern for ordinary runners.  The international running community has yet to really discover its charms, but the event has still doubled its entries since 2004.
The Course:  Chicago has a one-loop course that is flat, wide and fast.  It starts and finishes in the vast expanse of Grant Park on the shores of Lake Michigan, and showcases many of Chicago’s attractions – from the city-centre skyscrapers to the diverse ethnic neighbourhoods that most tourists never see.
Highs:  The start along Columbus Avenue’s long, straight 10-lane highway.
Lows:  Indifferent crowd support on large sections of the course.
Watch out for:  The free post-race party at the Navy Pier.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

3) Boston Marathon – Monday, April 19, 2010.   Finishers, 2009:  22,843
Marathon Pal says:   Boston is the world’s oldest marathon, steeped in tradition and history, with fabulous crowd support, a top-class elite field and a surprisingly quick point-to-point course.  Sadly it’s also a marathon that the majority of runners will never experience because of its strict qualifying standards.  That certainly doesn’t stop people trying, since the effort of qualifying and the exclusivity of the race are undoubtably part of its allure.  If you have the talent, this is a marathon you really have to run, and a marathon you will definitely remember.
The Course:  The race is run along a point-to-point course, which starts in Hopkinton to the west of Boston and passes through seven small towns before finishing in central Boston.  It drops over 400ft overall, mostly in the early miles, although it does climb noticeably as the course traverses Newton Hills between 17 and 22 miles before a fast 200ft drop over the last few miles.
Highs:  The girls of Wellesley College near halfway.  If their support can’t inspire you, you don’t have a heartbeat.
Lows:  The long walk from the finish near Copley Square to the baggage buses.
Watch out for:  Junk food served up at Hopkinton fair in the hours waiting for the 10:00 am start.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

4) Honolulu Marathon – Sunday, December 13, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  20,061
Marathon Pal says:  Most runners don’t need an excuse to visit Hawaii, particularly in early December when most of the Northern Hemisphere is cloaked in cold, wet weather.  But if you are looking for an excuse, the Honolulu Marathon fits the bill.  It’s a big race with a big atmosphere.  Much of the atmosphere is created by the Japanese, who provide the majority of the 30,000 runners, most of the supporters and the event’s big sponsors.  The race starts painfully early, in the darkness at 5am, limiting crowd support and the sea views. 
The Course: The course starts in Ala Moana Beach Park, and finishes at Kapiolani Park.  Along the way it takes in Honolulu’s notable sights, including Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head and Koko Head Crater.  There are two modest climbs at 7 and 23 miles, but most of the course is flat.
Highs: The Japanese cheering sections in the staging area before the start.
Lows: Getting up at 3am for that 5am start.
Watch out for: Even with the early start,  runners in the latter part of the event experience, and complain about,  hot and humid weather conditions.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

5) Marine Corps Marathon (Washington, DC) – Sunday, October 25, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  18,219
Marathon Pal says: Surely one of the best-organized races in the country, Marine Corps has a lot going for it, in spite of the potential for terrible East Coast fall weather. It is no accident that both Oprah and vice president Al Gore picked it as the site for their inaugural marathons. Panelist Bill Macy picks the race as his favorite: “With no seeded runners and no prize money, this is an everyday runner’s marathon.
The Course:  This marathon starts and ends at the Iwo Jima Monument and runs by most of the important buildings in Washington, DC.
Highs:  The Marine Corps as organizers and volunteers are excellent, and the course is scenic and historic.
Lows:  Race packet pickup can be inconvenient and crowded, and the race expo is small relative to the high number of runners.
Watch out for:  The weather can be a factor, as this marathon is run during the last half of October.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

6) Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL) – Sunday, January 10, 2010.   Finishers, 2009:  14,948
Jeff Sandene says:  This marathon, nicknamed “the Goofy”, is a destination race for runners and their families.  The environment within the theme parks is unmatched with plenty of spectators, music and entertainment, and appearances by many Disney® characters.
The Course:  This flat course takes you through all four Walt Disney World® Theme Parks.  The race begins and ends at Epcot®, and includes a route through the Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™.
Highs:  As expected, this race is a fun and very organized Disney production.
Lows:  High Humidity.  Many runners experience an emotional downer when the course hits the highway between Disney®  theme parks.
Watch out for:  Consider signing up for the Race Retreat package ($95) to receive many pre- and post-race amenities such as temperature controlled tent, private restrooms, and good food.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

7) City of Los Angeles Marathon – Sunday, March 21, 2010.   Finishers, 2009:  14,233
Jeff Sandene says:  Organizers of the Los Angeles Marathon listened to their constituents, marathon runners.  The biggest complaints about the 2009 race were the dull course through LA neighborhoods and the May race date.  For the 2010 race, the date has been moved into March, and the course has been reworked as a point-to-point route that promises to be more appealing to runners.
The Course:  The new Los Angeles Marathon course begins at Dodger Stadium and ends on the beach at the Pacific Ocean.  Participants are sure to enjoy the trek through Hollywood, down Sunset Boulevard, down Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and finishing at the Santa Monica Pier.
Highs:  It’s California and the ocean!
Lows:  New point-to-point course and new race date may lead to organizational snafus.
Watch out for:  Celebrities in the crowd.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

  

8)  Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego Marathon – Sunday, June 6, 2010.   Finishers, 2009:  13,391
Jeff Sandene says:  The original Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon is the largest in the Elite Racing series.  Organizers put together an excellent expo, plenty of bands on the course and a logistically solid race. 
The Course:  This course provides an excellent tour of San Diego.  The crowds downtown are enthusiastic, the loop around Mission Bay is scenic and the finish at the Marine Corps base is inspiring.  The last 15 miles of the course are flat.  However, the 300 foot drop to sea level between miles 3 to 5 and the subsequent 300 foot “up and down” between miles 7 and 11 catch many runners off guard. 
Highs:  The weather in San Diego is predictably excellent.
Lows:  The course heads north on Highway 163 between miles 7 and 11.  While there is lots of greenery, this stretch of the course is eerily quiet and void of spectators.  Some runners complain the inside-to-outside slope of the highway led to sore knees.
Watch out for:  The sun comes out bright at the 3-hour mark, pack sunscreen.  The long walk back to the shuttle buses and parking lot from the finishers area after the race.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

 

9)  Medtronics Twin Cities Marathon (MN) – Sunday, October 4, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  7,979
Marathon Pal says:  Runners who love this race love it in a big way.  Twin Cities has one of the best crowds in the running world.  Most of the course is lined with spectators offering cheers and encouragement, especially at the finish, with bleachers on both sides of the home stretch.
The Course:  This point-to-point course is considered by many runners to be the most scenic urban marathon in the U.S.  The course begins in Minneapolis and winds through the city’s lakes before crossing the Mississippi River towards the finish line in St. Paul.  
Highs:  Tremendous crowd support and cool tempuratures are great for racing.
Lows:  Two-mile intervals between water/aide stations for the first 21 miles of the marathon.
Watch out for:  Beware of the occasional, nasty cold front.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide

 

10)  Portland (OR) Marathon – Sunday, October 4, 2009.   Finishers, 2008:  7,856
Marathon Pal says:  This is a well organized event.  Portland is a beautiful city, and the organization and friendly people make this a fine race.
The Course:  It starts and finishes downtown, and much of the course is along the Willamette River, giving stretches of the course beautiful views and lots of park land.
Highs:  Many additional events taking place the same weekend, making this is a great family event with races and walks of different lengths.
Lows: Lack of spectator support through an industrial section and over a major bridge.
Watch out for:The course is slightly hilly but is fairly fast.
Runner comments from Marathon Guide