From this weekend’s USA Today:    http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/10great/2009-05-14-road-races_N.htm?csp=34 10 great places for runners to hit the road

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Enlarge By Stephan Savoia, AP “The granddaddy of all marathons”: The first wave of runners in the 113th Boston Marathon make their way down the course April 20.

Boston Marathon
Boston 
“This is the granddaddy of all marathons,” Yasso says. “It’s the most prestigious and historic.” The race — the oldest annual marathon in the country — takes place on Patriots’ Day, aMassachusetts holiday on the third Monday of April that commemorates the start of the Revolutionary War (next race: April 19, 2010). The entire city gets behind the runners, including the Boston Red Sox. The team always plays a home game at 10 a.m. so fans can cheer runners on as they race pastFenway Park before finishing in front of the John Hancock Building. 508-435-6905, bostonmarathon.org

Twin Cities Marathon
Minneapolis/St. Paul 
The race, which also offers a 10-mile option, starts in downtownMinneapolis before leading runners along several lakes, the banks of the Mississippi, then through St. Paul before ending in front of the Capitol. “It’s run in October during peak foliage,” Yasso says. “And every time you look up, you’re near a lake. You get the combination of a really scenic course and a tour of the city. It’s spectacular.” This year’s date: Oct. 4. 763-287-3888,mtcmarathon.org

The Monument Avenue 10K
Richmond, Va. 
This 6.21-mile race, to be held next on March 27, 2010, takes runners down tree-lined Monument Avenue, which is dotted with historic statues and surrounded by beautiful Southern homes. “You get the sense that Richmond really was the capital of the south,” says Yasso, who explains it’s also a very festive race. There are bands that play along the course and a costume contest. “It’s a big party,” Yasso says. 804-285-9495, sportsbackers.org

San Francisco Marathon
San Francisco 
The marathon, which includes a half-marathon option, loops runners through the city’s funky neighborhoods, then out and back on the Golden Gate Bridge, this year on July 26. “On a clear day, you get the best views of the city,” Yasso says. “Every once in a while, it’s completely fogged in. You hear the foghorns on the ships below you, but you can’t see anything. It’s so surreal. That’s also part of the mystique of San Francisco.” 888-958-6668,runsfm.com

Miami Marathon
Miami 
This race, to be held next on Jan. 31, 2010, starts before sunrise to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and takes runners across a causeway into South Beach. “All the art deco lights are lit up and the clubbers are just heading home,” Yasso says. “It’s funny to see these Paris Hilton look-alikes cheering for you. It really shows off what the city is about.” The race, which has a half-marathon option, also takes runners through Miami’s neighborhoods and past where all the cruise ships are docked. 305-278-8668, ingmiamimarathon.com

Vermont City Marathon
Burlington, Vt. 
“It’s a hippie enclave and college town,” says Yasso of Burlington. The May 24 race, which takes runners alongLake Champlain and through the city’s neighborhoods, lets you experience the city’s free spirit. “Most people cheering for you are wearing tie-dye and playing the Grateful Dead,” says Yasso. “At mile 15, there’s a hill and they have this ensemble of drummers playing at the base to get the runners pumped. It all speaks to the artsy vibe of the city.” 800-880-8149, runvermont.org

Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia 
“As a tourist, it would take a couple of days to see everything you see when running this race,” Yasso says. The marathon, which includes a half-marathon option, starts and finishes at the Philadelphia Art Museum with its “Rocky steps.” In between, runners see City Hall, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall before winding along the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row. Next race: Nov. 22. 215-683-2122, philadelphiamarathon.com

Rock ‘N’ Roll Arizona Marathon
Phoenix
This race, to be held Jan. 17, 2010, takes runners through Phoenix, Scottsdale and Tempe. “You’re surrounded by mountains, but you’re on the valley floor,” Yasso says. “You get to see the mountains, but you’re not running them.” Participants also pass beautiful hotels and spas like the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. “After the race, runners spoil themselves with spa treatments,” Yasso says. “There’s nothing better than a mud bath and a massage after a marathon.” 800-311-1255,rnraz.com

Chicago Marathon
Chicago 
Runners get a real tour of the city during the Chicago Marathon, which starts and finishes at Grant Park and weaves through almost 30 neighborhoods and along Lake Michigan on Oct. 11. In each neighborhood, crowds come out. “It’s a very spectator-friendly race,” Yasso says. “All the people who live there come out in droves and cheer. You feel like you have an intimate look at the city because you really see the people that make up Chicago.” 312-904-9800, chicagomarathon.com

Cooper River Bridge Run
Charleston, S.C. 
This 10K race in Charleston, S.C., to be held next on March 27, 2010, starts outside the city and takes runners across the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, the longest cable-strung bridge in the USA. “You get amazing views of Charleston as you cross over the bridge,” Yasso says. The race then takes you into the historic section of the city to Marion Square. “It’s one of the prettiest towns, and the race gives you both a skyline view from the bridge and a more intimate look at the city.” 843-856-1949, bridgerun.com

Often times I ask runners how they got to a race. How did you get to Boston? Big Sur? Most of the time they’ll tell me they took a car to the airport and then a taxi to the hotel and after too long of a walk and getting lost, they arrived at the race expo.

Alexis Garcia of Miami took quite a different journey to get to the Big Sur Marathon and it all started sixteen years ago when he arrived on the shores of Miami in a kayak He came to American pursuing a better life than what he had in Cuba. Back on the island he met up with a man he hardly knew. It was a 55-hour , 90-mile journey. He didn’t find out that the other guy didnt’ even know how to swim until they were well away form shore in the tandem kayak. The 30-year old Alexis just knew how to survive. He didn’t know anything about running but now, the 46-year-old P.E. teacher and his wife Marlene are not only living the American Dream, they are loving it and are active in their local running community. Just before Big Sur, Alexis ran the Paris Marathon and two weeks later he did the Keys 100 miler back in Florida. Alexis recently heard from the American man who rescued them. This man would go out on his airplane and search for rafts, boats etc.. fleeing Cuba.   He is now up in age and told Alexis he wanted  him to have the photos he took when they were rescued. Alexis had never seen these pictures.I can’t wait to see them myself. I think Alexis has got a book’s worth of stories to share and it doesn’t end with his arrival in Florida.

Next weekend, Saturday May 9th is the 3rd annual Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon and 2-Person Relay. The race is sold out but you can still come to Santa Barbara and be athletic – do a bike ride thru wine country with me on Friday, the day before the race.

http://www.runsantaynez.com

Wine Country Half Marathon
“Course Preview” Cycling Tour
with Bart Yasso of Runners World

   
Friday, May 8^th, 2009
Half Marathon “Course Preview” Cycling Tour w/Lunch includes:

• Two Hour Leisure Guided Cycling Tour along the route of the Wine Country Half Marathon
• Professional Tour Guides
• Gourmet Picnic Lunch & Wine Tasting at Rusack Winery.
• Includes guest host Bart Yasso, author, endurance athlete, and Travel Writer from Runners World Magazine.
• Bike rentals with helmet & custom water bottles also included
• SAG vehicle & mechanical support available
• Distance = 18 miles; flat with some rolling hills.
• Rate = $120.00/person

Cycling Tour Itinerary (with Gourmet Picnic Lunch)

• 11:30 AM

•  
  • Meet at Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours (SBWCCT) store in Santa Ynez for bike fitting and ride description.
  • Depart on Cycling Tour from race start line in Santa Ynez.
  • Ride along country roads before we reach the quaint town of Los Olivos.   Our ride will continue up a short hill before we descend into the beautiful
  • Ballard Canyon past vineyards and cattle ranches. 
     

• 12:30 PM

•  
  • Arrive at Rusack Winery along Ballard Canyon Road for a gourmet picnic lunch under the shade of the Valley Oak trees on the wood deck over looking the vineyard. 
    
  •  Bart Yasso of Runners World Magazine will share running experiences and discuss tips for running this course during lunch at Rusack.
     
  • Lunch is followed by wine tasting.
     
  • After lunch we will continue a few more miles down Ballard Canyon into Solvang to cross the finish line on Copenhagen Dr. in downtown Solvang and stop in Solvang Park for a quick breather and refreshment.

• 1:30 PM

•  
  • Arrive back at Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours (SBWCCT) store in Santa Ynez. 
     

Half Marathon “Course Preview” Afternoon Cycling Tour includes:

• Two Hour Leisure Guided Cycling Tour  along the route of the Wine Country Half Marathon
• Professional Tour Guides
• Bike rentals with helmet & custom water bottles also included
• SAG vehicle & mechanical support available
• Distance = 18 miles; flat with some rolling hills.
• Rate = $70.00 / per person

• 2:30 PM

•  
  • Meet at Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours (SBWCCT) store in Santa Ynez for bike fitting and ride description.
  • Depart on Cycling Tour from race start line in Santa Ynez.
  • Ride along country roads before we reach the quaint town of Los Olivos.   Our ride will continue up a short hill before we descend into the beautiful
  • Ballard Canyon past vineyards and cattle ranches.
  • We will continue a few more miles down Ballard Canyon into Solvang to cross the finish line on Copenhagen Dr. in downtown Solvang and stop in Solvang Park for a quick breather and refreshment.

• 4:00 PM

•  
  • Arrive back at Santa Barbara Wine Country Cycling Tours (SBWCCT) store in Santa Ynez.

 MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!

To make your reservation contact Corey or Tim at: (888) 557-8687 
or e-mail  info1@winecountrycycling.com

Registration to “Wine Country Half Marathon” is not included and must be done through 
www.destinationraces.com .

The third annual Santa Barbara Wine Country Half Marathon returns to the Santa Ynez Valley this May 2008, by Destination Races.  Located in a spectacular setting within the wine country; this event features a scenic course through rolling hills alongside the majestic San Rafael Mountains. The race starts in Santa Ynez and passes through the town of Los Olivos before finishing on Copenhagen Street in historic Solvang for the Wine & Music Festival. For more information, visit:www.destinationraces.com

What a terrific weekend in Champaign – at the first ever Illinois Marathon this past Saturday, the day before Easter. I was there – one of the Three Amigos. The other two – Dick Beardsley and GP. We were all over the place – speaking at the expo, expo, pasta diner and announcing at the finish line. What a great event and FAST course – fast, flat and fun. Congrats to all!

I hadn’t been to Charleston for the Cooper River Bridge 10K Run and Walk since the new course went over the new Ravenel bridge. Not only is it a fantastic piece of engineering – the new bridge makes for a fast race. If only the weather was less breezy, we could have had some records out there. I always love coming to Charleston for this event. Julian Smith and his crew do a terrific job. This year I did live tv for Comcast C2 with Kellen Correia. The Comcast show was shown numerous times on local tv and also include footage from the expo, Kids Run on Friday and pre-race pasta dinner. Two Ethiopian runners emerged victorious at the finish line –  26-year old Amane Gobena became the fit non-Kenyan woman in the last 10 years to win the event and on the men’s side it was her countryman, 20-year-old  Tilahun Regassa. They were followed by 32,000+ runners and walkers. The current record for the event is 33,678 which was set during the first Bridge Run on the Ravenel bridge in 2006, when 45,497 registered. Mark your calendars for March 27th, 2010 – the 33rd running of CRBR.

This was one of those weeks our cat Mojave hates – seeing luggage (the “L” word) in the living room. Luggage means I won’t be home and the cat has taken to parking himself in my suitcase and tote – a new ploy: “See! I fit. Take me with you!” Mojave and I have a thang going on – just ask my wife. Wherever I go in the house or in the yard, the kitty cat goes – just like a loyal dog. I have about a dozen Mojave songs. My current favorite composition is “If Loving the Kitty Cat is Wrong I don’t Want to Be Right.” This week will be a tough one for Mojave – as I’ll be gone on three trips and home for a total of 16 hours. I’ll have three road trips in the course of six days starting with a flight to Greensboro, NC, then home for 12 hours before flying out to Chicago to speak  at Runner’s High and Dry in nearby Arlington Heights  - and home for three hours before heading out again, this time to the Pittsburgh for their marathon kick-off – a way to get the local excited about the return marathon and half – last time a marathon was run  there was ‘93. I return home early Saturday – just in time to do some yard work and most importantly, play with the cat.

Back to Richmond for live tv for the 10th running of the Monument Avenue 10K, the fourth largest 10K in the U.S. I also spoke to some school ckids and at some other events prior to race day. The race has more than 35,000 runners and features a total of $25,000 in prize money with $7,500 for the champion. The race also features a real fun opportunity for any lucky pre-registered entrant, the AT & T Dash for Cash. One lucky participant in the 10k on March 28 is given a head start to race against the top finisher. Here’s how it works:  The contest draws one random winner from among everyone who has registered by March 1. That person is given a pre-determined head start on the course based on their most recent 10K time if available. This year’s lucky contestant, Anne Parker of Midlothian got advice and guidance prior to the race from the contest’s honorary coach which happened to be me. When the race begins at 8:30 a.m., the contestant will try to out-run the rest of the field to the finish line. The person who crosses the finish line first will win the $2,500 prize. This year, Ann did it and won by a nose. Congrats Ann.

If there ever was a running club version of the Academy Awards, this would be it. The New York Road Runner Club’s annual awards banquet, “Club Night,” was held in the Live Venue at the Times Square’s Hard Rock Café. I served as co-host along with WABC meteorologist Heidi Jones. We spent two straight hours presenting awards, honoring top-ranked runners, teams and other notables during a festive eveningfastest folks. Heidi presented to the men, and I presented to the women. The evening culminated with the honoring of the  both of WTC.

Eight years ago today was a beautiful and unseasonably warm day in Casoli, Italy where Laura and I were married in her grandparent’s hometown village with 27 friends and famiglia in tow. Today, we celebrated, just the two of us, at a local Indian restaurant. Laura had a quilt made for me  - using t-shirts from my favorite races including Badwater, Smoky Mountain Marathon and various Ironmans. Here’s a photo Laura took of me under the quilt and our cat on top of it. (A shout out to runner Jackie Kelly of Tennessee for her amazing work on the quilt. Nobody makes better t-shirt quilts than Jackie.) Mojave never slept on the couch when other blankets were there but he does now – he loves this quilt for some reason.