March 21st. . . Marathon Day. Are you in?

We have had several emails and conversations about getting a group together for a spring marathon. It looks like March 21st, 2010 is going to be the weekend that many from the RMEC have selected for their race. There are three options all on the same day:

Tobacco Road Marathon:

• Info: This inaugural race will be held in Cary on Sunday 03/21. This makes for an easy drive on race morning, so it would be an affordable option.
• Course: The course uses the American Tobacco Trail for about 18 miles of the race (a bit ironic for a race called Tobacco "Road"). When on the trail you hit two out-and-back sections. There are a few photos of the trail on the race website, and you can see it is not a challenging trail at all. It is wide with great footing.
• Time: The race starts at 7:00 am
• Cost: $60 ($80 on Jan 1)
• Host: FS Series (Finish Strong) is timing this event, but it is directed by a new group of runners.

Wrightsville Beach Marathon:

• Info: This is another inaugural race and will be held in Wrightsville Beach also on Sunday. This is another drivable race, but a hotel would be needed for Saturday night.
• Course This also has an interesting course. It is a point-to-point race, but the first 20 miles are done through two loops of the Landfall development. The loops have some unusual "humps" where it breaks off the main road briefly (I assume to add needed distance). After that runners do a loop through Long Leaf Acres before finishing. I know you run one bridge at mile one, but I assume it is a flat course otherwise.
• Time: 6:30 am. It is an early start, but that is not always bad.
• Cost: $75 and the price does not increase until race day ($95).
• Host: Although they are not the primary race director, this is a Setup Events' race. Bill Scott is known for well organized races.

Shamrock Marathon:

• Info: This is the old standby on the east coast when looking at a March marathon. The race is held at Virginia Beach and always draws a lively crowd and has nice race swag.
• Course: A very fast course. It is flat, but can be windy, which is extra tough it the day is cold.
• Time: 8:00 am. The half starts at 7:00.
• Cost: $100 ($110 on Jan 1). It would be the more expensive option of the three, but it is a proven race.
• Host: Not sure the exact details, but again this is a proven race.

All three options above are on the same date. All three also have a half marathon options. I do sincerely hope if you plan to race a half marathon in March that you will select the Roanoke Canal Half Marathon on March 13, 2010. I also hope that you will consider the 8k for a training run if you plan to race a marathon on 03/21.

So, who plans to race a marathon on March 21st? You don't have to pick a race now, but traveling with a group is the most fun, so please share your choice.