2008 L.A. Marathon - Runner Tracking; Street and Freeway Closures

STREET CLOSURES: You can find details on street closures for this weekend's 2008 running of the L.A. Marathon here, from the L.A. Department of Transportation.

It's a PDF file you can view online or download and print. If it doesn't load at first, keep trying... as you can imagine, lots of people are trying to access this street and freeway closure information, and the server is quite busy.

RUNNER TRACKING: You can sign up for runner tracking here. You type in the entrant's information and then enter the pager, text messaging number, or e-mail address you want the information sent to. You can have split times sent to you, or just receive the runner's finishing information. The updates will be sent when the entrant reaches that part of the course.

The 2008 L.A. Marathon takes place Sunday, March 2nd.

2008 L.A. Marathon - Run Through the Streets of Los Angeles

The 2008 L.A. Marathon takes place this Sunday, March 2nd, and online registration is still open. Their site says it has been extended to this Wednesday, Feb. 27th due to popular demand.

You can find detailed course maps from the L.A. Department of Transportation here. (NOTE: this link doesn't seem to work with the Safari browser.)

The 2008 L.A. Marathon features a 5K race and walk, but no half marathon.

This being Los Angeles, you'll find plenty of entertainment stations along the course, reflecting many of the different ethnic groups found in the L.A. area and all levels of entertainment, from local favorites to international stars.

NYC Marathon Entry Lottery Begins Today at Noon

The online lottery for entering your name to apply for the 2008 New York City Marathon opens at 12 Noon today, Feb. 25th; see more information here. A printable application that you can mail or fax in will be available in the middle of March. (Since the actual lottery is not held until months later, it doesn't matter when or how you apply for the lottery.)

If you don't get in through the lottery, you can always get guaranteed entry by signing up to raise money for one of the NYC Marathon's charity groups.

2008 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon - Race Results

Now here's a race that must have a truly unique course... the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon. Running through the French Quarter and other historic areas must be incredible. You can find the results for the 2008 New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon here, which includes results for the marathon, half marathon, and 5K, and racewalking results for the marathon and the half.

Finding Running Routes - Run.com, USATF, and Other Choices

A Web site I've just become aware of, Run.com, calls itself "The best online resource for where to run. Great running routes and run maps for countries and cities around the world." Unfortunately, the site is not accessible right now (Saturday afternoon), perhaps because it it getting so much traffic.

Another Web site called MapMyRun.com lets you map your own runs, look up runs that others have mapped, and log your training. I haven't tried it, but it looks easy to use and helpful.

USA Track and Field has a feature on its Web site called America's Running Routes that lets you map and share your own running courses, and look up ones that other people have posted. This can be a handy feature if, like me, you're often visiting out-of-town friends and relatives and are looking for good running routes of various distances.

2008 Cowtown Marathon Results- Marathon, Half, 10K, Ultra

The Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth, Texas has posted the results for its 2008 races here.

At this link you'll find results for the 2008 Cowtown Marathon as well as for the half marathon, 10K, and ultramarathon. The Web page also has tabs that let you view results for the previous years of the Cowtown Marathon.

2008 Cowtown Marathon, Fort Worth - Six Events in One

Saturday, Feb. 23rd is the 2008 Cowtown Marathon, but of course it's more than just marathon, it's a veritable three-ring circus. The Cowtown Marathon has six events in all: a marathon, half marathon, 10K, adult 5K and kids 5K, an even an ultramarathon.

Check the official Web site, www.cowtownmarathon.org/ for race times, elevation charts, information on the running expo, and more.

You'll find the marathon course map here.

The Race to Robie Creek: Tough, Rugged, Full

The 2008 Race to Robie Creek will be held April 19th, but it's already full. However the "Hot Topics" page at the Robie Creek Web site notes that it's OK for registrants to sell their entries to other people.

The Race to Robie Creek takes place in Boise, Idaho, and calls itself "The Toughest Half Marathon in the Northwest."

You'll also want to read the race's FAQ page. It answers all the questions you might have about the race, such as:
How tough is the race, really?
What's the course elevation?
Are there really no iPods allowed?
Where do I pick up my race chip?

2008 AT&T Austin Marathon and Half Marathon - Race Results

The 2008 AT&T Austin Marathon and half marathon are underway, and the official race Web site has a results page up (two of them, actually).

You'll find one of the results pages here. NOTE: The link on the race's home page for run-far is incorrect; the address has an extra "w" in the address.

The link for www.mychiptime.com returns an error message.

2008 AT&T Austin Marathon - Course Map, Road Closures, and More

The 2008 AT&T Austin Marathon takes place tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 17th. Here is some information you'll want to know for the race.

The 2008 AT&T Austin Marathon and half marathon are sold out. Also runners can no longer switch their registration between races.

Some links:
Course information
Travel guide and road closures
Travel information
Frequently asked questions - FAQ

Registration Now Open for the 2008 Reston Triathlon

Registration for the 2008 Reston Triathlon opened on Wednesday night, Feb. 13th. The 2008 Triathlon will take place on Sunday September 7th, 2008, in Reston, Virginia.

The course distances in 2008 are the same as in previous years - a one-mile swim, 22.3 mile bike, and 10K run.

This year the Reston Triathlon is also featuring a Reston Triathlon Sprint, but that's already sold out. Better get your entry in now if you want to get in the original Reston Triathlon.

The Columbus, Ohio "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon

The name says it all: the "Last Chance for Boston" Marathon claims to be the last marathon that will enable you to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The marathon takes place on February 17th, and if you're a real procrastinator you'll be glad to know that registration is open through the morning of the race! (Note: online registration closes the day before the race, Saturday the 16th, at 8 a.m.)

The marathon features a fast, flat USATF-certified course. The event also features a half marathon, 10K, and 5K, but let's face it, most of the entrants will be trying to get in under the wire to qualify for Boston.

Columbus, Ohio in February may not be everyone's idea of a perfect marathon spot, but if you want to qualify for the big Patriot's Day race, this is apparently the place to be. And hey, Boston in April can be pretty cold, windy, and raw, so who knows, the weather in Columbus this weekend might even be better than that at the Boston Marathon.

2008 Myrtle Beach Marathon Weekend Feb. 14-17

Named US USA Today as one of its "10 great places to warm up to a winter marathon," the Myrtle Beach Marathon will take place this weekend, Feb. 14th-17th.

While the 2008 Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon is the marquee race of the weekend, the events include a half marathon, marathon relay, 5K, fun run, bicycle ride, and of course a post-race party. As a popular vacation spot, Myrtle Beach has plenty of good restaurants for pre-race carbo loading and post-race chowdowns.

The Myrtle Beach Marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay are sold out; there may still be time to enter the 5K and the other events. See the race Web site for details.

2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic - Results for Marathon and Half Marathon

The second day of the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic in Tampa, Florida has concluded (well, the racing anyway), and the marathon and half marathon times are posted on the Web site here.

The partying continues in the streets of Tampa after the marathon and half marathon, however...

2008 Mercedes Marathon and Half Marathon - Race Results

Here is the results page for the 2008 Mercedes Marathon and half marathon. The page also has links to Mercedes Marathon results for previous years.

Results will be posted as they are complete. As of 11 a.m. Eastern time Sunday, only the results for the 5K race are posted; the links for the Mercedes Marathon, half marathon, etc. will become life as the results are put online.

Race Results for the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K and 5K

Day one of the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic weekend is in the books, and here's where you can find the race results for the 15K and 5K events. This includes the 5K, 15K, Wheel Chair 15K, 5K Teams, and 15K Teams results.

You can search for runners by different criteria, and you can also view Gasparilla Distance Classic results for previous years.

Tomorrow will be the running of the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic marathon and half marathon.

2008 Mercedes Marathon, Half, and 5K, Birmingham, Alabama

The 2008 Mercedes Marathon, half marathon, kids' marathon, and 5K take place on Sunday, February 10th.

At the official Web site you can find information on the start and finish areas, race starting times, the runners' expo, course maps for the races, course profiles, and more.

2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic, Marathon, and Half Marathon

It's almost time for the 2008 Gasparilla Distance Classic weekend in Tampa, Florida. This is one of the most unique weekends in road racing, with four major races taking place over two days.

Saturday, February 9th will feature the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K and 5K. Then on Sunday Tampa's Gasparilla Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay will take place.

Check the Web site above for details on the race courses, maps, start times, and information on the latest weather in Tampa.

2008 Surf City Marathon - Race Results

Here is where you can find the results of the 2008 Surf City Marathon, run in Huntington, California.

From what I've read, the weather did not cooperate, and the race was marred by rain that was quite heavy at times.

2008 Millrose Games Today - Results

Today marks the 101st Millrose Games at Madison Square Garden in New York.

You can find the Millrose Games events and results page here; it refreshes every 30 seconds with results and shows you the times of all events.

Here are some of the highlights we can expect to see in tonight's action:
* Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes competing in the 100-meter hurdles
* Kara Goucher, World Championship bronze medalist in the 10,000 meters, will compete in the mile
* The Mel Sheppard 600 meters will feature a strong group of Americans including Bershawn Jackson and Khadevis Robinson
* The organizers are expecting a very strong college men’s 4x800-meter relay, with teams from Columbia, Seton Hall, Cornell, Villanova, Georgetown, Arkansas and George Mason
* And of course, the classic Wanamaker Mile

The Millrose Games is the third event in USA Track & Field’s Visa Championship Series.

Registration Open for the 2008 Chicago Marathon

Registration for the 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon (formerly the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon) is now open, as of January 31st.

The 2008 running of this classic road race is scheduled for October 12th. The 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will accept 45,000 entries, it is said. The race will start at 8 a.m. in Grant Park.

2008 Surf City Marathon and Half, Huntington, California

Start off Super Bowl Sunday with a marathon along the beautiful California shoreline... the 2008 Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon take place Sunday, Feb. 3rd in Huntington, California. Formerly called the Pacific Shoreline Marathon, this race definitely capitalizes on the Surf City/Beach Boys tie-in, with restored "Woody" cars and lifeguard vehicles and surfboards leading the runners from the starting line. With the Beach Boys playing in the background, of course.

The course goes by Huntington Beach and its pier and through Huntington Central Park, and there are bands playing surf music along the course. Sounds like fun, and apparently a lot of people agree: the race is closed after reaching 16,000 entrants, its largest field ever.

Here you'll find a PDF version of the course map of the 2008 Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon.

2008 Arizona Desert Classic Marathon

The Arizona Road Racers present the 2008 Desert Classic Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K race, and two-mile fun run on February 2, 2008. The races start and finish at Riverboat Village, 18300 West Bell Road in Surprise. The marathon and half marathon races have a 7:00 a.m. start, but a 6:00 a.m. start is available if you notify the race director before race day. The 5K and two-mile runs start at 7:20 a.m. The marathon features aid stations every two miles.

Here you'll find a map of the course in PDF.

For more information, call the Arizona Road Racers hotline at (602) 954-8341.