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For most runners, finishing a race is a fundamental part of why we love the sport. It gives us a goal, a medal, a community, and often, a free beer. But deciding which race to sign up for is tricky—there are literally thousands of them. Which is why for the second straight year, the race review website BibRave has tapped into its network of influencers to rank the best road races in the country. Pulled from the BibRave 100, here are 70—from the marathon down to the 5k—iconic events every runner should aim to finish.
Peachtree Road Race
Sales & Deals: Atlanta
What’s more American than a road race on July 4 through the heart of Atlanta? The biggest road race in the country on July 4 through the heart of Atlanta. Roughly 60,000 participants will conquer this classic 10K, which in 2019 will celebrate its 50th year.
Big 10K
Sales & Deals: Chicago
The college football season doesn’t start for a few weeks, but this lakeside race is designed to fuel your fandom. Expect mascot cameos and live music in the shadow of Soldier Field at the post-race party. Plus, the race t-shirt comes in your school’s colors, meaning you’ll have plenty of motivation when you spot a rival in the sprint to the finish.
Monument Avenue 10K
Sales & Deals: Richmond, Virginia
The course almost exclusively runs up and down one of Richmond’s most historic roads, Monument Avenue. You’ll likely be running too fast to notice most of the dozens of statues lining the greenway between the east and west lanes of the road, but you will notice the crowd support—the springtime race is one of the city’s biggest annual events.
Crescent City Classic
Sales & Deals: New Orleans
To state the obvious, “New Orleans throws a helluva party,” one BibRave reviewer says. Held the day before Easter every year, this 10K passes most of the city’s icons, from the Metrodome to the French Quarter to Esplanade Avenue and into the City Park. You’ll finish with a free beer and creole-inspired food.
Wicked 10K
Sales & Deals: Health - Injuries
The competition is heated in this Halloween-themed bash. Not just for age-group awards. Race organizers hand out prizes for the best costumes at the post-race party, held on the beach.
BAA 10K
Sales & Deals: Boston
Its Patriot’s Day cousin gets most of the attention, but this blazing fast course through Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood draws international talent and a sold-out field, making it an excellent way to start summer racing season.
BolderBOULDER
Sales & Deals: Boulder, Colorado
Let’s face it, there’s almost nothing better than a stadium finish. This iconic road race gives you that (in the University of Colorado’s Folsom Field), plus the raucous atmosphere only a college town can provide. You’re likely to see kegs and slip N’ slides along the way. It will be up to you (and your PR) if you want to participate.
Cooper River Bridge Run
Sales & Deals: We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back
For more than 40 years, traffic has been shut down once a year on the gorgeous Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge to allow thousands of runners the chance to make their way across Cooper River. As one BibRave reviewer puts it, “They’ve been going for over 40 years so they must be doing something right.”
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