Brooklyn Marathon vs. Philly Marathon

I am scheduled to run my #5 Philly Marathon Nov. 18th. But I am considering switching to Brooklyn Marathon the same day in prospect park. It's a small race maybe a few hundred runners with 9 loops or so. There are some hills but also some healthy downhills. If I do Philly I'd stay over probably 2 nights (cost $600 food and hotel) vs. Brooklyn (no cost except registration fee $95.00). So I am considering saving $500 and do Brooklyn.

My concern is the 9 loops. But, it is Brooklyn and I think the only Brooklyn Marathon so sporting a t-shirt from them would be nice! Plus, my family (wife, dad probably, kids) get to see me 9 times vs. philly once if they are lucky.

Logistically, philly is some sense is easier because hotel is near the start vs. brooklyn driving there the day of. But because parking should not be an issue that day.

Any thoughts?

I'd be more concerned about the downhills beating me up than anything else. You need to get sponsorship like me so you can travel, stay, and race for free!

mul21 wrote:I'd be more concerned about the downhills beating me up than anything else. You need to get sponsorship like me so you can travel, stay, and race for free!

Funny. The downhills are manageable. Mmmmmm

Plus I'd Miss out on breaking bread with you and John.

I guess for me it comes down to what the purpose of doing the marathon is:

If it is to cross a big, popular marathon off your list, or maybe get a good time...then Philly.

If it is do run a unique marathon with a bit of a renegade spirit, then run Brooklyn...plus saving the $ on travel would seem like a nice bonus...

E Greenie

A lot depends on your goal for the race. Are you trying to BQ at this race? Have you trained on hills enough (remember healthy downhills means healthy uphills too). If you are running it for fun, it seems that saving the $500 makes a lot of sense. If you are running for a BQ, then you need to consider which race gives you the best opportunity for that. Since you've run Philly enough, you can easily figure this out.

JohnP wrote:A lot depends on your goal for the race. Are you trying to BQ at this race? Have you trained on hills enough (remember healthy downhills means healthy uphills too). If you are running it for fun, it seems that saving the $500 makes a lot of sense. If you are running for a BQ, then you need to consider which race gives you the best opportunity for that. Since you've run Philly enough, you can easily figure this out.

I've done some hill work this training so I think I am good with that. I navigated well today on the hills in prospect park. I've also run Prospect park many times and know the hill (repeat 6-9x I guess) real well. It's basically a long hill maybe 3/4 of mile but in the marathon I think we will hit it a many times.

I am out to PR and I might think Brooklyn gives me best shot with family support every loop vs. philly only once.

Tough decision on this one!

PS: Watched a video about the race and "One Daunting Hill and you do it 6x's". OK well it might not have been to daunting today doing 2x but 6x ouch! We will see.

Come run our race - I'll bet the RD of Philly won't respond to this thread!

slastoe wrote:Come run our race - I'll bet the RD of Philly won't respond to this thread!

That's for sure. If not this year next year. I'm Brooklyn native so I got to do it. Anything less would be uncivilized.

slastoe wrote:Come run our race - I'll bet the RD of Philly won't respond to this thread!

Now that is pretty cool! Thanks for taking the time to come post to our great community!

Kenny I will have to dig it up but I think it was in Runner's World or maybe somewhere online that I read a nice article about the Brooklyn Marathon. Talked about how it started and other cool history facts about the race.

I'm hoping with now the birth of Kristina and Lisa getting back to run we can travel to other marathons outside of my normal yearly double of Chicago and Boston in the coming years!

Schuey wrote:

slastoe wrote:Come run our race - I'll bet the RD of Philly won't respond to this thread!

Now that is pretty cool! Thanks for taking the time to come post to our great community!

Kenny I will have to dig it up but I think it was in Runner's World or maybe somewhere online that I read a nice article about the Brooklyn Marathon. Talked about how it started and other cool history facts about the race.

I'm hoping with now the birth of Kristina and Lisa getting back to run we can travel to other marathons outside of my normal yearly double of Chicago and Boston in the coming years!

That would be great. I am down for brooklyn marathon at some point. Thinking as a fun run after NYC next year since I get into NYC automatically I guess I should do it.

I would think if your family would get to see you 9 times what a motivator that would be. You don't know what you might accomplish being in a home environment. I think that the Expense and Family would favor Brooklyn for me.

wheakory wrote:I would think if your family would get to see you 9 times what a motivator that would be. You don't know what you might accomplish being in a home environment. I think that the Expense and Family would favor Brooklyn for me.

I agree. Just bad timing.