Get the Races Lined Up for 2014!

Signing up for races is easy- right? You find a race, pay your entry fee, show up the day of the race (or perhaps the day before if there's a large packet pick-up), run the race and go home. Distances vary-- sometimes it might be a 5K in the middle of the winter to keep focus on your training or maybe you're shooting for your first marathon in the fall so you sign up for some 10K/15K/half marathon races in the months before.

This is how I used to decide which races to run. It was all about the distance, it didn't matter what the amenities were, didn't matter what the course looked like, didn't matter where I ran it. That was many years ago and many miles before...

Since those days I've discovered the Destination Race! I don't really know if this is an official term for this type of event, but I'm using it. What is a Destination Race? It's exactly what it sounds like, you search race calendars, running magazines, blogs, and find a location you haven't visited yet that has a race that's either unusual, or has some sort of draw to it.

I had my first Destination Race this year in a long time with the "A Christmas Story" run in Cleveland, OH, and now I'm finding myself looking for a race that either tops or is equal with the draw that this one had.

I've searched long and hard and have come up with my list of "must do" races in 2014! I'm excited to blog about each one and I hope that you'll enjoy the journey as I discover new routes, meet new people and have a year of running that is unmatched by any before.

Here is what I have for my line-up in 2014!

• March 29, 2014- Run the Bluegrass in Lexington, KY. This race is touted as "America's  Prettiest Half-Marathon" with a 7 miler tossed in for those of us who aren't as keen to run the hills around Thoroughbred Country! The link to their website is here: www.runthebluegrass.org

• April 19, 2014- Derby Festival Marathon and Half Marathon in Louisville, KY. This race features a course that goes through the World Famous Churchill Downs and through some of the great neighborhoods of Louisville! The link to this race is: www.derbyfestivalmarathon.com

• May 3, 2014- Indianapolis 500 Festival Mini Marathon in Indianapolis, IN. This race is one of the largest (if not the largest) half marathons and features a 2.5 mile trek on the course around the World Famous Indianapolis 500 race track! The link to this race is: www.500festival.com/mini-marathon

• August 16, 2014- Elvis Presley 5K in Memphis, TN. What more could you want than to be able to race from the gates of Graceland and end with a totally AWESOME Elvis finisher's medal? It's going to be hot, but in more ways than one! The link to this race is: www.elvispresleyrunandwalk.com

• September 20, 2014- Air Force Full and Half Marathon at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. This race will have civilians, active duty, reserve and retired military participate. Did someone say men in uniform? :-) The link to this race is: www.usafmarathon.com

• September 27, 2014- Mill Race Marathon and Half Marathon in Columbus, IN. The inaugural marathon for this race was last year and the course runs past architectural wonders made by I.M. Pei, Eero and Eliel Saarinen and through the friendly neighborhoods of the city. The link to this race is: www.millracemarathon.com

• December 6, 2014- A Christmas Story 10K/5K in Cleveland, OH. Rounding out my year of great races, I'll celebrate the A Christmas Story run/walk again in 2014. Who knows this next year what I'll dress like?! :-) The link to this race is: www.achristmasstoryhouse.com

These won't probably be the ONLY races I'll do in 2014, but they're the ones that I've found that look the most interesting this year and I can't wait to do them!

Here's to a happy and safe holiday season; Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you out on the trail!