October is the most active month of the calendar. Here is a rundown of races organized around the world. They may not be the most famous ones, but the following selection shows the diversity of races you can run in October.
You can run on 6 continents, in Metropolis races or in small towns running festivals, right around the corner or at the other side of the world, hit the asphalt or wander in the wild on single track trails.
Here is my pick. What will be yours?
Marathons in October
Colombo MarathonCredit : Colombo Marathon
Sri Lanka – Sunday October 3rd
This may be the opportunity to visit Sri Lanka and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the race. The race will be hot, humid and filled with smells of spices and fruits. A great tropical experience! After the race you’ll have plenty of time to visit the ancient temples, explore the jungle and rest on the sand beaches. More info…
Argentina – Sunday October 10th
The flat route has been designed to let the runners visit the most emblematic and beautiful places of one of the most eclectic and exiting cites of South America. Thus about 4000 runners will visit the colorful neighborhoods of La Boca, Palermo or Recoleta. More info…
Bank of America Chicago MarathonCredit : Bernt Rostad
USA – Illinois – Sunday October 10th at 7:30
Chicago is one of largest marathons in the world with more than 33 000 finishers last year. The race is flat and fast, perfect for a personal best, it runs through 29 of the city’s neighborhoods. More info…
Netherlands – Sunday October 17th at 09:45
We will celebrate the 35th edition of the race. The route leads the runners through the city centre of Amsterdam, passes many highlights such as the Olympic Stadium, Vondelpark, Rijksmuseum and follows in part the Amstel River and many historic canals. A half marathon and an 8k are also organized the same day. More info…
Grand Marathon International de Casablanca
Morocco – Sunday October 24th at 09:00
The runners will take the main avenues of the city of Casablanca, in the mythical frame of Art Deco architecture heritage, the grand boulevards lined with palm trees, the wide avenues of the City Center as well as a part of the corniche overlooking the sea. More info…
Switzerland – Sunday October 31st at 10:10
The race follows the banks of the lake between Lausanne and Vevey. The runners pass by the vineyards and the little harbours. The sceneries are enchanting. But beware, the succession of ups and downs are quite tirering and the way back to Lausanne, more difficult that it may seem. More info…
Australia – Victoria – Sunday October 31st at 09:00
The single loop course heads West out of Portland towards Bridgewater Bay. It then heads North through coastal hills which culminates with the Shuffler with a spectacular view of Discovery Bay at the half way point. From there the course winds to the East and heads back into Portland to the finish on the Portland Bay foreshore. Walkers are welcome. More info…
Italy – Andrate – Saturday October 2nd at 07:00
This mountain race displays the diversity of sceneries available in the Valle d’Aosta : Morainic hills, vineyards, lakes, castles, small churches along its 109 km course. The race is a qualifier for the UTMB 2011. More info…
USA – Pennsylvania – Saturday October 16th at 05:00
The event provides 3 races (50K, 100K 100 Miles) that are run on a 50K loop, following the single-track Gerard Hiking Trail. A green way to discover where the american Oil industry was born in 1859. More info…
Australia – Queensland – Sunday October 17th at 07:00
This is the inaugural race. This 56 km trail race around Mt Lewis is a tropical challenge that leads the runners up to the cloud forest, so named because the forest is often shrouded in cloud, mist and fog. More info…
France – Millau – Sunday October 24th at 06:15
La Grande Course des Templiers is the biggest trail race organized in France. Starting in Millau, the race will show the runners the spendors of the “Parc naturel régional des Grands Causses”, the limestone plateaus overlooking the valleys of Tarn, Dourbie and Jonte rivers. More info…
USA – Georgia – Sunday October 3rd at 07:00
The race starts and ends on the beautiful Oglethorpe University campus. After completing a 6-mile loop south of the campus, the runners then complete a 7-mile loop north of the campus and return to Oglethorpe for the finish line. More info…
France – Saturday October 9th at 17:00
The race is ran around the Medieval city and along the Canal du Midi. Both places have been selected to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. More info…
USA – Indiana – Sunday October 10th at 07:00
The Evansville Half Marathon course starts atop Reitz Hill and winds down through the city of Evansville, Indiana, visiting the Greenway, Garvin Park and Bosse Field, Main Street and the Walkway, Bayard and Akin Parks and finishing on the beautiful Riverfront. More info…
Royal Parks Foundation Half MarathonCredit : Matt Biddulph
United Kingdom – Saturday October 10th
London at its best. The race winds through Hide park, Green Park, St Jame’s Park, passes by the House of Parliament, the London Eye or Buckingham Palace. The best sightseeing tour you’ll probably ever do in London running. More info…
USA – Massachusetts – Sunday October 10th
Six months before the Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association organises its half marathon in the streets of Boston. The rolling course is an out-and-back route that runs along the Emerald Necklace park system of the city. More info…
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