Half Marathon preteky v blízkosti South Valley

Balloon Run starts and finishes at Bosque School in Albuquerque, with runners choosing a half marathon, 10-mile race, or 5K on the opening morning of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. The races begin early, so the main spectacle is already overhead: hundreds of hot air balloons rising while runners move along the Rio Grande. It is a local race with chip timing, race shirts for all participants, music, and a setup aimed at both serious runners and families making a morning of it. The course follows the Rio Grande area, giving runners open views of the river and the balloon launch instead of a closed-in city route. The half marathon is the newest distance, while the 10-mile and 5K options keep the event accessible for people who want a shorter run. Local organizers run the event, it supports local causes, and the warm-up is led by a local two-time Olympian. Reviews point to simple parking and check-in, friendly volunteers, clean timing, and a more personal feel than the bigger balloon-themed races in town.

The Great Balloon Chase takes runners through Albuquerque with hot air balloons overhead from the world's largest ballooning event. The series offers a half marathon, 10K, and 5K run/walk, all starting and finishing at Los Poblanos Fields Open Space in the Rio Grande River Valley. The race pairs a regular running lineup with a distinct Albuquerque setting: balloons above, the Sandia Mountains nearby, and open fields around the start and finish. RaceNM presents the event; the half marathon is open to runners age 16 and older. The 10th anniversary includes commemorative jackets for the first 1,000 registrants.

Little Rock Marathon sa beží v Little Rock, Arkansas, vždy prvý marcový víkend. Hlavnou udalosťou je certifikovaný marathon na 26.2 míľ, ktorý ide jedným okruhom. Založili ho v 2003, má certifikáciu USATF a je kvalifikáciou na Boston Marathon. Láka bežcov aj chodcov zo všetkých 50 štátov a z vyše 15 krajín. Pomáha tomu aj 8-hodinový limit na marathon a 4-hodinový na half-marathon. Okrem toho ponúkajú bezplatný celoročný tréningový program a zbierajú peniaze pre Little Rock Parks & Recreation. Trať štartuje a končí v Downtown Little Rock a prechádza cez Arkansas River. Uvidíš tam pamiatky ako Arkansas State Capitol, River Market District, Clinton Presidential Center, Governor's Mansion, MacArthur Birthplace/Military Museum a Historic Little Rock Central High School. Trať nie je rovná; najväčší kopec príde hneď na začiatku, potom už len menšie kopčeky. Bežec Bill Rodgers k tomu poznamenal, že Little Rock je "a little salty". Na akcii sú aj zábavné prvky, napríklad každý rok iná téma, tematický tovar a výzdoba na expu, účastníci v kostýmoch, couch potato mile, Lipstick Stop a veľká medaila pre finisherov, ktorá je vraj každý rok o kúsok väčšia.

Albuquerque Running Fiesta štartuje z Downtown Plaza v Albuquerque, New Mexico. Na programe majú marathon, half marathon a 5K. Organizujú to lokálne a zabezpečili čipovú časomieru, live tracking, občerstvovačky, zdravotnú aj policajnú podporu, dobrovoľníkov a povzbudzujúce tímy pozdĺž celej trate. Ak niekto radšej beží virtuálne a nechce sa zúčastniť priamo na trati v Albuquerque, majú aj virtuálny marathon, half marathon a 5K. Trasa ťa prevedie cez centrum Albuquerque, popri Route 66 a rieke Rio Grande, s výhľadom na Sandia Mountains. V cieli je pripravený pozávodný festival, kde nájdeš živú hudbu, rôzne stánky, recovery zónu, beer garden, lokálne jedlo, nápoje a kultúrny program. Každý, kto dobehne, dostane Fiesta medailu, tričko podujatia a štartové číslo. Ak sa zaregistruješ skôr, môžeš mať aj personalizované číslo. V deň pretekov sa odovzdávajú aj ocenenia pre vekové kategórie.

Run with Joy starts and finishes at Canteen Brewhouse on Aztec Road NE in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is an annual unicorn-themed race morning with four distances: a 13.1-mile half marathon, 10K, 5K, and 1 Miler. The half marathon goes off first, the 10K and 5K follow together, and the mile starts a few minutes later, so the event works for runners who want a longer effort and people who just want a short, social run. The course is an out-and-back route on the North Diversion Channel Trail, a shared path that is mostly flat except for small rises and drops where it passes under major streets. Aid stations, hydration, and porta potties are placed at several points. Finish-line perks lean into the brewery setting: half marathon, 10K, and 5K runners get a medal, shirt, beer or root beer, and a breakfast burrito, while 1 Miler participants get the drink and burrito without the shirt or medal. The event is in its fifth annual running.

The Albuquerque Marathon takes place in early April in New Mexico, offering a full marathon, half marathon, two-person half relay, 10K, 5K, Kids K, and virtual participation for the main adult distances. In-person races begin in the morning, with the marathon starting first, followed by the half marathon and 10K. It accommodates a wide range of runners, from those aiming for a fast marathon time to families participating in the shorter events and Kids K. The course crosses the Rio Grande River, passes through the North Valley Bosque, and offers views of the Sandia Mountains. Organizers describe it as flat and fast, suitable for runners seeking a personal best or a simple city-and-river route. Finishers receive medals, and marathon, half marathon, 10K, and 5K participants get tech shirts. Overall and age-group awards are presented. The event also collaborates with Heading Home, donating a portion of proceeds to that organization.