2015 Winter Marathons

Written by
Jason R. Karp, Ph.D.
Baby it's cold outside, and that means it's time to go somewhere warm—or at least not zero degrees—to run a marathon. Here are 11 winter marathons to keep you warm this winter.
HOLIDAY JOY Marathon, Half, Quarter, & 50K
December 4, 2014 — Long Beach, California
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This out-and-back scenic beach path course includes a quarter marathon, half marathon, marathon and 50K. You'll run 3.275 miles north on the beach path, turn around and run back south to the start. Do it once for the quarter marathon, twice for the half marathon and four times for the marathon.
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Let's Go Haiti Marathon
January 4, 2015 — Jacmel, Haiti
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The 3rd annual Let's Go Haiti Marathon marks the 5th anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti and honors the lives lost during the devastating 2010 disaster. Haiti's only marathon was organized to help restore the island's image as a tourist destination and inspiring the youth of Haiti through sports.

Most of the point-to-point course from Peredo to Jacmel winds through local villages on narrow roads, including six miles of trails, with a stretch along the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
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Walt Disney World Marathon
January 11, 2015 — Orlando, Florida
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Want to take a family trip to Disney World? Why not run a marathon with Mickey Mouse while you're there? It's the most magical 26.2 miles on earth!

The marathon course takes you through all four Walt Disney World theme parks in Florida. You start at Epcot before dawn and run through the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios before you finish back at Epcot. You'll enjoy plenty of Disney entertainment during the race and can even get a picture taken with the many Disney characters who cheer for you along the course.
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Bermuda Marathon
January 18, 2015 — Pembroke, Bermuda
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Surrounded by crystal clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream, lush foliage and pastel-colored buildings, Bermuda is just a short flight from most North American east coast cities, but feels like it's a million miles away. If you're a marathon junkie who can't stand to take off the whole winter from running marathons, Bermuda is the perfect wintertime marathon destination.

The 40th Bermuda Marathon Weekend includes a series of mile races, 10K, marathon, half marathon and the Bermuda Triangle Challenge of three races in three days.
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Yuma Territorial Marathon
January 31, 2015 — Somerton, Arizona
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Experience the beauty of the desert and rural communities of southern Arizona at the Yuma Territorial Marathon. With sea-level elevation, less than 100 feet of elevation change and average high temperatures in the 60s, the Yuma Territorial Marathon is the perfect opportunity to set a marathon PR.

The out-and-back course runs along the shoulder of Highway 95 beginning in the Cocopah Indian Reservation. Half marathon runners leave the reservation and pass through Somerton, Arizona, while those running the full marathon continue through the town of Gadsden near the border of Mexico and into San Luis before turning back.
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Austin Marathon
February 15, 2015 — Austin, Texas
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The Austin Marathon runs through some of the city's most scenic and historic areas, including Lady Bird Johnson Lake, the Allandale and Hyde Park neighborhoods, Congress Avenue, the University of Texas campus and the State Capitol complex. Owing to Austin's vibrant music scene, more than 30 local bands play on the course to keep you motivated.

The gently rolling and shaded course is 90 percent asphalt with long straightaways and about 28 turns. Starting at an elevation of 546 feet, the marathon gains about 14 feet per mile over the first 17 miles before dropping over 33 feet per mile over the final 9 miles to the finish on Congress Avenue in the shadow of the State Capitol Building.
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Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon
February 15, 2015 — Fort Lauderdale, Florida
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The Publix Fort Lauderdale A1A Marathon runs along the beautiful coastal state road of A1A from the Florida Keys to Daytona Beach. Surrounded by beaches, lined with palm trees and overlooking vibrant blue Atlantic waters, you just might forget you're running a marathon.

The course is tucked besides the ocean for just about the entire distance, making this a run that will keep you interested and maybe even inspired.
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NYCRUNS Central Park Marathon
February 22, 2015 — New York, New York
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If you missed the TCS New York City Marathon on November 2 and don't mind running in the cold, don't fret—New York has another marathon in February, and this one runs exclusively in Central Park. If you want to run New York but don't like the thought of running 26.2 miles in the middle of winter, opt for the half marathon instead.

The marathon course starts around East 95th street, completes five lower loops of the park through the 102nd Street transverse, and finishes on the 102nd Street transverse.
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The Heartbreaker Marathon
February 22, 2015 — Fordingbridge, Hampshire, United Kingdom
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Running through southern England's New Forest National Park, the Heartbreaker Marathon is an undulating multi-terrain, out-and-back T-shaped course starting in Sandy Balls Holiday Park. Most of the course is off-road on well-maintained gravel tracks.
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Kilimanjaro Marathon
March 1, 2015 — Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
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If you want to head south for the winter to run a marathon, you may want to head south of the equator to Tanzania, to run at the foot of Africa's mighty Mount Kilimanjaro. At 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), it's the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

The marathon route starts at Moshi Stadium, heads down toward the town and along the main road to Dar es Salaam. The route passes through many smallholding farms, villages, banana and coffee plantations and patches of forest, providing great excitement to the residents who give ample vocal support to the runners. Combine the race with a Kilimanjaro climb, a Serengeti safari, or a relaxing visit to Zanzibar Island.
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The Groundhog Marathon
March 7, 2015 — Telford, Shropshire, United Kingdom
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If running on the road doesn't appeal to you, or you've always been curious about the life of a wheel-running hamster, you may want to try the Groundhog Marathon, all of which is run on a 400-meter track at Telford's Athletics Stadium—105.5 laps of it.

This flattest of all marathon courses has a water station every 400 meters and runners can bring their own special hydration drinks if they wish.
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