Types Of Running Events

There are many different types of running events throughout the country and around the world. If you are truly interested and devoted to the sport, you can find a race, an event or a type suited to your purpose. Running events can be as simple as a race at your neighborhood block party or at a picnic thrown by your employer. It can be as complicated as a marathon in Boston or a long distance run in Paris, France.

The first thing you need to consider is your level of running skills. You can aim for the Boston Marathon or a cross-country run, but it is best to start out small. Check with your local running club for local events geared towards your level. Find out about the larger events and attend, but it may be best to do so, first, as a spectator. Another source you can utilize to discover news about upcoming events for now and the future is running magazines. They provide lists of races and the appropriate addresses.

You can look at running events in two different ways. You can see them as specific kinds of running or as specific distances. You can take part in track running, road running, cross-country running, trail running or even fell (hill) running. You can run sprints, middle distances, long distances, marathons, ultra distance and multi-day distances. Most events do have varied distances. You can indulge in a short sprint but you can take part in a 5-k, 10-k, or even 50-k run. Cross-country running, marathons, trail running and fell running offer you the chance to begin small and extend the length you can run.

	More Info

When you do start out, consider a 5-k route. Many marathons hold 5-k, 10-k and 15- k races in conjunction with the big marathon race. These smaller distances are great preparation for a future marathon. Several races to consider are the Avon Running, the Alaska Run for Women (5-mile), Beach to Beacon (10-K), the Copper River Bridge Run (10-K), Falmouth Road Race, the Garden of the Gods, the Mackinac Island (8-mile), the 7.6 mile Mount Washington Road Race, Race for the Cure and the Run Through History( 10-K) .

There are, for experienced runners, marathons and mini or half marathons. You can take your pick of many different marathons. Although the same length, the course varies for each race. Consider the Bay State Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Fox Cities Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Portland Marathon, Steamtown Marathon, Twin Cities Marathon, Vermont City Marathon and the Walt Disney World Marathon.

If you build up your stamina and are interested in increasing your distance, you can always train for multi-day events, try fell climbing, run cross country or enter ultra events.