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Best marathons for beginners

June 28, 2013

If your new home treadmill has inspired you to run a marathon for the first time in your life, you’ll want to make sure that you choose a race that is friendly toward first timers. Training for a marathon is hard enough (although using a TRUE Fitness treadmill with a orthopedically correct running surface can make it easier), so you won’t want to make your debut at one that is likely to have bad weather or be under-staffed. Check out the best marathons for beginners:

Walt Disney World Marathon
Held at the “Most Magical Place on Earth,” the Walt Disney World Marathon will take you through all four themes parks, beginning at Epcot, and winding through the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios before your triumphant finish back at Epcot. The race begins with fireworks, and you’ll find that you’re accompanied by some famous Disney characters like Cinderella who are there to cheer you on. The course is flat, and there are plenty of places for spectators to watch.

Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series
Fans of rock ‘n roll will love participating in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series, which holds events in 27 cities across the United States, Canada and Europe. The marathon in Arizona has 27 live-music stages along the route, and the course winds through several notable landmarks, such as Camelback Mountain and the historic Old Town Scottsdale. The race also has cheerleading squads along the course to watch the action and get you pumped up to finish your first marathon!

Space Coast Marathon
If you would prefer to run your first marathon among a smaller number of participants, then the Space Coast Marathon may be for you. Located near NASA headquarters, this race always has a space theme, with water station volunteers dressed in NASA uniforms. The marathon is kicked off with a space shuttle countdown on a jumbotron. Once you’ve completed the race, you’re rewarded with an astronaut medal and electronic space certificate.

Ogden Marathon
Want to run a marathon that has great views, but the course isn’t too tough? The Ogden Marathon in Utah is one of the most scenic races in America, and the course drops more than 1,000 feet as it winds through national forests. During the race, you’ll catch glimpses of pine-covered mountains, waterfalls, rivers and canyons. Your route will also take you past the Utah State University Botanical Gardens and Dinosaur Park. The marathon begins at an elevation of 5,400 feet, so make sure you are prepared for the extra challenges that this change will bring.