Find a run for me and a steam train for my boy...
February 23, 2010 3:29 AM Subscribe
Is there an August 2010 marathon in the USA that's also within driving distance of a well-known heritage steam railway? I'd like to tick both boxes during a potential family holiday to the US.
Best answer: There's a half-marathon in Parkersburg, WV, which is a half-day's drive from the Cass Scenic Railroad.
The Pike's Peak Marathon is a day's scenic drive from the Durango-Silverton Railroad.
posted by jon1270 at 6:06 AM on February 23, 2010
The Pike's Peak Marathon is a day's scenic drive from the Durango-Silverton Railroad.
posted by jon1270 at 6:06 AM on February 23, 2010
I think a better question might be "Is there an August 2010 marathon in the USA?"
The answer is apparently not unless you're willing to run in the Rockies and possibly at night. The odds of there being a well-known heritage anything near, e.g. Green River, WY, are slim to none.
Because really, a marathon in August? Are you crazy? There's very few marathons during summer months, and most seem to be during late fall or winter. Between September and November of this year, Pennsylvania has five marathons within two hours of the Strasburg Railroad.
posted by valkyryn at 6:08 AM on February 23, 2010
The answer is apparently not unless you're willing to run in the Rockies and possibly at night. The odds of there being a well-known heritage anything near, e.g. Green River, WY, are slim to none.
Because really, a marathon in August? Are you crazy? There's very few marathons during summer months, and most seem to be during late fall or winter. Between September and November of this year, Pennsylvania has five marathons within two hours of the Strasburg Railroad.
posted by valkyryn at 6:08 AM on February 23, 2010
Response by poster: Jon1270: thanks!
valkyrn: No, not crazy, just trying to see if there's an opportunity for a marathon when my father in law brings us all over to see some heritage railroads. And I do know of a few US marathons in August, so I suspect that if I am, I'm not the only crazy one...
posted by dowcrag at 6:20 AM on February 23, 2010
valkyrn: No, not crazy, just trying to see if there's an opportunity for a marathon when my father in law brings us all over to see some heritage railroads. And I do know of a few US marathons in August, so I suspect that if I am, I'm not the only crazy one...
posted by dowcrag at 6:20 AM on February 23, 2010
In case you want to browse instead of search, check out the Marathon Guide Calendar; there are plenty of August marathons in North America, but a good deal of them are in or near Canada. Also, you may want to search for "tourist railroad" since Wikipedia indicates the term "heritage railway" is generally only used in the UK and Oz.
posted by kittyprecious at 6:56 AM on February 23, 2010
posted by kittyprecious at 6:56 AM on February 23, 2010
Best answer: You could try the Paavo Nurmi marathon in beautiful (and reasonably cooler) northern Wisconsin. About two counties away is the Lumberjack Steam Train, and you could also check out the [diesel] Osceola and St. Croix Valley (if you're driving from the Twin Cities), or Mid-Continent Railway (if you're driving from Madison).
Those are all kind of long drives from major cities, but a four- or five-hour drive in Wisconsin is no big thing. There are lots of nice little towns where you can stop for lunch, and the scenery is wonderful. There will also probably be various town festivals going on during that time, so you'd have a good chance to experience the much-vaunted Midwest hospitality. And beer, lots of beer (though perhaps not what you'd call beer...).
posted by Madamina at 7:13 AM on February 23, 2010
Those are all kind of long drives from major cities, but a four- or five-hour drive in Wisconsin is no big thing. There are lots of nice little towns where you can stop for lunch, and the scenery is wonderful. There will also probably be various town festivals going on during that time, so you'd have a good chance to experience the much-vaunted Midwest hospitality. And beer, lots of beer (though perhaps not what you'd call beer...).
posted by Madamina at 7:13 AM on February 23, 2010
Best answer: Close is the SF marathon on July 25. The Napa Valley Wine train is about an 90 minute drive from SF and the Skunk Train is about a 2.5 hr drive away.
July in SF tends to be cold and foggy.
posted by stchang at 9:02 AM on February 23, 2010
July in SF tends to be cold and foggy.
posted by stchang at 9:02 AM on February 23, 2010
Best answer: Sumpter Valley Railway (steam) is about 4.5 hours, and Mt. Hood RR (not steam, just touring) is about 2.5 hours from Bend, OR where the Haulin' Aspen will be held on 8/8.
The Yreka Western Railroad (steam) is 1.5 hours from Klamath Falls, OR, where the Crater Lake Marathon will be held 8/14.
posted by notquitemaryann at 5:59 PM on February 23, 2010
The Yreka Western Railroad (steam) is 1.5 hours from Klamath Falls, OR, where the Crater Lake Marathon will be held 8/14.
posted by notquitemaryann at 5:59 PM on February 23, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by mcroft at 4:46 AM on February 23, 2010