Friday Five 2.0: Holiday Races

I am linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup!
Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

Today’s Topic is: Holiday Races

I run the same Holiday race (Albany Last Run) every year so I’ll change this post’s topic to December Races I’ve run or would like to run:

1. Albany Last Run

Mid-December every year in Albany, NY. The race starts off with fireworks at the Capitol building and then you run around the lights in Washington Park ending with a downhill near where you began. Lots of costumes and holiday spirit. This is the race that I run every year.

2. EAU Palm Beach Half Marathon

Beginning of December in West Palm Beach, Fl. I ran it in 2015 and enjoyed the course and ocean views. I’d love to do it again.

I especially liked the champagne that you receive after you cross the finish line.

3. Panama City Beach Half Marathon

Beginning of December in Panama City Beach, Fl. I ran it this year and enjoyed the FLAT course and gulf views. If I got invited again, this one would be one to repeat.

Free gumbo and beer at Margaritaville after the race is a nice perk.

4. Hot Chocolate Run

5k in Northampton, MA. It raises money for an organization addressing domestic violence. I’ve never run this race but I know a few runners who have and they say good things about it.

Of course, there’s hot chocolate after the race.

5. First Night Saratoga 5k

New Year’s Eve in Saratoga Springs, NY. Again I have not run this race but it is very popular locally. It starts and ends on the Skidmore campus and is moderately hilly. You receive a commemorative medal at the finish.

Afterwards you can attend the annual First Night activities in beautiful downtown Saratoga.

Happy Running? What races do you like to run during the holidays?

11 thoughts on “Friday Five 2.0: Holiday Races”

I loved how all the palm trees were decked out in Christmas lights! Who needs winter?

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Darlene | December 23, 2016 at 9:35 am

I agree. I wouldn’t miss the cold weather.

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You know I would be totally into a hot chocolate run. 🙂

If I didn’t do the New Year’s Day run, I might try First Night. I’ve been to First Night in Burlington & Boston, but never here. Because I’m not a night person. Which is why I’m probably never doing the First Night Race.

But never say never.

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Darlene | December 23, 2016 at 9:33 am

I feel the same way. I usually go out for New Year’s but if I didn’t I’d consider the Saratoga one. But then again it is very crowded. So I will stick to HMRRC if I am in town.

Several local runners do the Hot Chocolate – it could be a road trip one year.

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- Chocolaterunsjudy | December 23, 2016 at 1:05 pm
  
  If we go out for New Year’s, it’s early.
  
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I would like that Albany run or any race that runs by Christmas lights! Thanks for linking up!

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I love a Christmas race! We just have Christmas Parkrun near me, which sadly I won’t be able to do this year. But next!

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Sadly, two holiday-themed races I used to run no longer exist ;-( There’s not much for races this time of year (in my area), so I always looked forward to doing those races (Usually on back-to-back weekends).

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I am always amazed the the choice of races you have ! We get so few in the winter here. If you lived here you’d be miserable not being able to race this time of the year !

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