Ready for a race-cation? Pack your bags and lace up for one of these 4 destination races!
If you’ve never heard of it, a race-cation is a vacation you plan around your race, usually in a unique destination city. This is actually how I’ve run most of my half marathons! It’s a great way to get excited for a race, and explore a new city. When else do you run around a city on foot for 13.1 miles?! You get to see a lot of a city this way, in a short amount of time. Today I’m highlighting 4 destination Half Marathons in early 2024, so you have plenty of time to plan and train for them. Check it out!
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon
Where
Las Vegas, Nevada
When
February 24, 2024
Distances
Half Marathon, 10K, 5K
Why You’ll Love It
Run the Las Vegas Strip AT NIGHT in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon! Seeing Vegas in all its sparkly splendor makes the miles fly by, not to mention the rockin’ on-course entertainment! This event also offers a pre-race concert, with past headliners ranging from Snoop Dogg to Kid Rock. It starts in the late afternoon, so it’s dark by the time you finish, which is perfect to see Vegas at it’s meant to be. After you cross the finish line, catch the famous Bellagio fountains, or get a celebratory margarita from a street vendor (these were $20, massive, but freshly made!).
It’s such a fun race, I’ve run it 3 times. Vegas makes a great race-cation because of all the restaurants, shops, shows, and nightlife it has to offer. Even if Vegas isn’t typically “your scene,” it’s worth a trip for the experience of running the Strip at night. Try skipping the clubs and casinos and opt for Cirque du Soleil, fine dining, and residence shows.
Surf City Half Marathon
Where
Huntington Beach, aka “Surf City, USA,” California
When
February 4, 2024
Distances
Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, Beach Mile
Why You’ll Love It
Huntington Beach calls itself “Surf City, USA,” and this beachfront race should definitely be on your list. With surf-themed medals, ocean views, an open air expo, and a Beach Mile race the day before, the Surf City Half Marathon makes for a great race-cation. There are several hotels and resorts right along the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) where the race starts and finishes, so it’s a very easy walk to and from the race. Do it for the surfboard medal, the ocean view, or the motivation to train during the winter.
Southern California’s mild winters make for a nice escape from the frigid weather in other parts of the country. Huntington Beach is very walkable, with lots of shops and restaurants to explore before and after the race. Hit the beach by day and watch the surfers, or cozy up at night by a fire pit and listen to the waves crash.
Where
Washington, DC
When
March 16, 2024
Distances
Half Marathon, 5K
Why You’ll Love It
The Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon is packed with national monuments– on the course! You’ll run past the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial, and finish along the National Mall. The course also goes through some beautiful parts of DC. Too busy running to notice? Explore all the sites after your race, if your legs are up to it!
The average temp is 48F, but on our race day, we also had rain. That made for a very chilly run. Since Spring weather can be unpredictable, check the extended forecast, have a few race outfits in mind, and consider dressing in layers. We brought thermal blankets to the start line to keep us warm and dry–at least for a little while. In case of rain and tired legs, it also pays to have a close walk to your hotel or transportation post-race.
Key West Half Marathon
Where
Key West, Florida
When
January 14, 2024
Why You’ll Love It
Since the island is only about 4mi long and 2mi wide (at its widest!) you’ll see a lot of the island running the Key West Half Marathon!This is the only race on this list that I haven’t run–yet! I’ve been to Key West and loved it! So I can’t wait to run this race. Key West is known for its Key Lime Pie, gorgeous sunsets, conch fritters, and is home to the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA.
See Mile Marker 0, Hemingway’s House, and stop by this famous dive bar post-race to tack a dollar to the wall.
If your legs still have some power, doing a bike tour is a great way to leisurely explore the island and see all the sights.
Key West calls itself the “Conch Republic.” Don’t skip out on the Conch Fritters while you’re there! Just save them for after the race: fried food can be hard to digest, and you don’t want to risk it before a long race.
Have you run any of these races? Let me know in the comments!
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