First Marathon: Dayton Air Force ...

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6 Replies Last post: Mar 23, 2007 12:40 PM by rundadrun077

Cincygal

2 posts since
Mar 22, 2007

Dec 27, 2007 12:07 AM

First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Hi everyone,

I am new to this site (been lurking a couple weeks). I have completed several half marathons in the last couple of years and have another Flying Pig Half coming up in May. I am really disappointed that I won't be able to run in the Nike Women's Half in SF again this year (due to the craziness they had going on with their registration) so I have decided it's finally time to make the jump from half to full marathon (I had been throwing around the idea for a while but between getting married, new job and new house the last two years, it never seemed like the right time for such a commitment).

Enough rambling. So I want to run in a full marathon this fall so as to give myself plenty of time to prepare (currently running between 25-30 mpw). I wanted to find one within a weekend trip of Cincinnati and I came across the Dayton Air Force Marathon and the Columbus Marathon. According to Marathonguide.com, they both sound like great races, but which do you think would be the better first time race? Any pros and cons for either? There seemed to be mixed reviews about hills in the AF Marathon; are they any worse than those found on the Flying Pig course? Are there any other marathons that would be better suited as a first time one that I have missed?

(I always told myself that my first full marathon would be the Flying Pig since I am a Cincy girl through and through and LOVE the half, but I can't seem to ignore the marathon itch any longer).

Thanks for any help!!

http://This message has been edited by Cincygal (edited Mar-22-2007).

PacerChris

763 posts since
Dec 14, 2007

1. Mar 22, 2007 12:16 PM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Cincygal,
I'm your man to let you know about these races! I've done all but one of the Pigs, all but two of the Air Force, and I've done Columbus probably 6-7 times. All 3 are great races - but for a first I'd recommend the Pig. Since you don't want to wait (and I can't blame you!) go with Columbus for the following reasons:
1. Easier course than AF - AF ain't hard but Columbus is a great course - no major hills, flat but a little variety. Good sized race so you'll have people to run with. AF has a few hills, 2 of which are pretty challenging.
2. Weather - Air Force could be hot particularly late in the race- Columbus always seems to be ideal marathon weather
3. More time to train - Since it's in Oct vs. Sept, you could actually use the AF Half as a tune-up race in your buildup to C-bus.
4. Crowd support - better at Cbus than AF. Not a big deal to me but for rookies it helps to have crowd support, and there's more of it in Columbus.

Again, I love all 3 marathons, but for a rookie I'd rank them Pig, Cbus, then AF, and I completely understand not wanting to wait. Plus if you do Columbus, you'll be raring to try the Pig next year!

crunningman

950 posts since
Jun 7, 2002

2. Mar 22, 2007 1:00 PM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Ran all three marathons in 2006. Liked them all. I really can't add anything that Chris hasn't already said other than if you are worried about hills then I'd run Columbus because it is pretty flat.

Depending on what I'm doing, I may run all three again this year

Stevie Ray Lopez

532 posts since
Dec 3, 2007

3. Mar 22, 2007 2:22 PM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

I'm running all three this year.

Columbus is the easier course, but you also don't get a medal with a cool airplane on it.

Bottom line? All three are great races and you can't really go wrong.

Cincygal

2 posts since
Mar 22, 2007

4. Mar 23, 2007 6:54 AM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Thank you to everyone for your advice!

PacerChris, I do like the idea of doing the AF Half as a buildup to the C-bus full... The more I think about it, the more that makes sense! Looks like my first full marathon will be in October!

Thanks!!

4boysmom

1,307 posts since
Dec 10, 2007

5. Mar 23, 2007 11:47 AM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Columbus was my first marathon. Very, very impressed. Very organized. Lots of crowd support. Fun course.

Downside--yes, it is flat. Except for that 'gentle climb' up High Street. That darned near killed me this past year!

Also, it is a big one. Lots of traffic and flying elbows in the early miles.

Other than that--it is a good one. Because I'm running Tucson this year, I'll most likely work it. Hope to see you there!

rundadrun077

30 posts since
Aug 12, 2005

6. Mar 23, 2007 12:40 PM

in response to: Cincygal

Re: First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

Cincygirl,
I haven't run either the Columbus or Dayton, but I have run the Indianapolis half twice. The one in October, not the one in May. They have a full that has a smaller field and is not too hilly. Check out the website. It is a great race(at least the half) and it is only 2 hours away. Thought I would throw an alternative out there. Good luck with whichever you choose.
Rob

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Dec 27, 2007 12:07 AM

First Marathon: Dayton Air Force Marathon or Columbus Marathon?

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