MARCH 16: TOBACCO ROAD MARATHON
Cary, North Carolina
Founded 2010; 823 finishers
tobaccoroadmarathon.com
A flat and gently rolling T-shaped course and temperatures typically in the 40s or 50s cause personal bests to tumble at this race near Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Route
All but the first and last 2.5 miles are on western Wake County's American Tobacco Trail (ATT), a wide, mostly flat, crushed-granite rail-trail path. The historic route is literally a run through the woods: 21 miles of Carolina pines as you follow the ATT, originally used to transport tobacco by rail. The start/finish is at the USA Baseball National Training Complex, the crown jewel of Cary's largest city park.
Before
Two-day expo at nearby Embassy Suites hotel.
During
17 aid stations offer Gatorade, GU Chomps, GU Gels, and water; online runner tracking.
After
Post-race band, beer, massages, pizza and chocolate milk.
Swag
Gender-specific tech shirt, tech arm warmers, medal, goody bag.
Fee
$85 to $105
Also
Half-marathon. Proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project, American Red Cross, JDRF, and Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy.
10 Marathon-Day Mistakes to Avoid
APRIL 26: ILLINOIS MARATHON
Champaign/Urbana, Illinois
Founded 2009; 1,779 finishers
illinoismarathon.com
Register Now
The school spirit of this Big Ten college town kicks in on race weekend. Staff at the 14 official race hotels wear race shirts, and locals cheer from yard parties on the course.
Route
The flat course starts on the University of Illinois campus, cruises past parks and quiet neighborhoods in central Illinois's twin cities, and eventually returns to campus with a dramatic finish on the 50-yard line of the university's 60,000-capacity football stadium. Look up to check your finishing form on the new, 36-foot-high scoreboard.
Before
Running author Hal Higdon and former marathon world record holder Jacqueline Hansen will speak at the expo and pasta feeds.
During
You're entertained about once a mile by musicians ranging from drummers to Dixieland jazz, and hydrated at 16 aid stations—most with Gatorade, and four with GU.
After
Instant barcode results along with fresh fruit, pizza, pasta, beer, and a postrace concert headlined by a country dance band that's opened for Blake Shelton and Tim McGraw.
Swag
Gender-specific tech shirt, drawstring backpack, medal—plus a "Full I-Challenge" medal if you also run the 5-K on Friday. An extra $5 gives you access to the campus rec center, for a swim, shower, and change.
Fee
$85 to $100
Also
Half-marathon, four-person marathon relay, and 10-K, 5-K, 1-K kids' run. About 250 "golden tickets" are randomly added to goody bags for items like shoes and dinners.
More: 2014 Running Shoe Guide