Every runner who runs races has a race they dream about. A medal, a destination, a theme. Something about that race calls to you, and you know that some way or another, you are going to conquer that race one day. No matter how much it costs, no matter how hard it is to get to or how crazy it will be to train for, you’re going to do it! You officially have a bucket list race.
Some of you don’t have a bucket list race, you have bucket list races. Boy, do I feel that. I have WAY more than one race on my bucket list, so in the spirit of all the running enthusiasm I feel spilling from all of your feet and overused sneakers, I put together my official race bucket list.
Domestic Bucket List Races
1. The Brooklyn Half – The race starts just a mile from my apartment and runs through my hood. How could I not do it? I’ve had my heart set on this race for 3 years. The first year, I found out about it a day after it sold out. The second year, I got injured a few weeks before the race and gave my bib to a friend. The third year, the Blend Retreat fell on the same weekend. 2016? No excuses. I’m doing it!
2. The NYC Marathon – I have one more race to complete my NYRR 9+1 goal and then I’m in for 2016! Making it happen.
3. A Rock’n’Roll race – These races look like such a blast. I’d love to run RNR Brooklyn, Philly, DC, Chicago, Nashville or all of the above!
4. Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon – A night time race in Disney that ends at a food & wine festival? Yes, please!
5. The Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon – I’ve heard such amazing things about this race and I’ve always wanted to visit the California wine country. I figure I can kill two birds with one stone at this race :).
International Bucket List Races
1. Le Marathon du Medoc – This marathon takes place in Bordeaux, France. I’ve heard everyone gets dressed to the nines for the races 23 wine stops as well as fueling stations packed with oysters, foie gras, cheese, steak and ice-cream. It sounds ridiculous, and it sounds awesome! If you can’t tell, I like races that involve wine!
2. Athens Marathon – How could any marathon runner not want to run the original marathon? I’ve also always wanted to go to Greece, so… one day!
3. London Marathon – I lived in London for 5 months in college and fell in love with the city. I wasn’t as into running then as I am now, so I didn’t get to explore much by way of a run. I’d love to go back and see the whole city from my now runner’s perspective.
4. The Patagonian International Marathon – Will and I have always wanted to go to Chile, and this relatively new race sounds right up my alley. It’s a pretty small race, but for each person who crosses the finish line, the race plants a tree in their honor. How cool would it be to have my own tree in Chile?!
There are so many other races I’d love to do, but at the moment, these are the top of the top! This list is, of course, subject to chance as I learn of new races and check some of these off the list! Now I just need to start a Help-Nicole-Travel-The-World-And-Run-All-The-Races kickstarter campaign to make all this happen!
Let’s Chat:
Have you run any of these? What are your thoughts?
What race(s) are on your bucket list?
Will you contribute to my kickstarter?
This post is linked up with Tuesdays On The Run.

The Napa half or Ragnar Napa is on my list for sure! I did RnR Vegas a few years ago it was a blast. Can’t beat the views and the crazy crowd support
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…How To Out Run The Flu & Zarbee’s Giveaway
I’ve heard that one is awesome! I might have to add a race in Vegas and a Ragnar for sure!
You MUST do the Brooklyn Half! I ran it for the first time this year and it was just awesome. I dont even have words to describe how good it was! I’ve done 2 Rock ‘n’ Roll races – DC and Chicago. I wouldn’t recommend DC but Chicago was pretty cool. I’m also doing RnR Brooklyn next month.
I’m doing the NYC Marathon next year (I did the NYRR 9+1 program this year). That is one of my bucket list races. I would also love to do Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas, Boston Marathon (I wouldnt qualify, but would do the run for a charity option) and the Chicago Marathon.
And yes, I would ocntribute to your kickstarter, lol π
Kimberly recently posted…#FrugalFridays – Current Deals: Part 2
Gah! I want to so bad!! I want to do RNR Brooklyn, but I’ll be in Texas that weekend – wah! We have to meet up for a run one of these days!
This is a great list! I haven’t done any of these!
My bucket list is topped with the Disney Princess Glass Slipper Challenge and the Disney Coast to Coast challege π
Big surprise… I know π
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Buffalo Roasted Cauliflower
oh yes! All the Disney races, please!
That’s a great list! Athens definitely makes my list.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub recently posted…Canmore Half Marathon Recap
Let’s make a big running blogger trip and all go!
So many races on my bucket list! I’d love to run Big Sur, be part of a Ragnar Team, run Chicago…the list goes on!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…2016 Philly Love Run Registration Opens 9/16/15!
ooo good picks! I’ve been to Big Sur but didn’t get the chance to run there – it’s beautiful!
Just like you I have bucket list races! My life goal is all 50 states and all 7 continents. Antarctica is on my list. That race just looks amazing. The Inca Trail Marathon is too π
Amanda recently posted…#BOSUstrong Challenge, Marathon Training Monday {week 4} & Giveaway Winners
That would be amazing!!!
Great list! I def have a race bucket list, although I haven’t managed to break into it at all yet π As well as the Athens and NYC marathons, my list includes Paris, Berlin, Boston, Chicago, Puerto Rico & Edinburgh. I’d also love to do the NYC Midnight Half! It’s a long list…!
Fiona recently posted…Marathon Shoes?
All of those sound awesome! Edinburgh is one of my favorite places, so I’d be down for that!
I have a lot of items on my bucket list… No races though! LOL!
GiGi Eats recently posted…The βI Literally Canβt Evenβ Latte
haha What’s #1?!
You have a great list. I want to do Disney Wine and Dine someday. Rock n Roll races are awesome. They put on great entertainment. Especially the one at VA Beach. The headliner that night on the beach is always awesome!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Things you should be tracking about your runs
ooo I’ll have to check that one out! Thanks!
I did RnR Vegas (twice!) & RnR Montreal. There might be more RnR at some point in my future.
Napa to Sonoma is a possibility for CA (I’m also trying to do all 50 states).
So many races, so little time!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Is a Garmin Vivoactive the right fitness tracker/GPS watch for you?
I’ve heard both of those are amazing! How many states to you have left?!
I will happily accompany you to any and all of your domestic bucket list races! π
Annmarie recently posted…Recover Quicker With ISOPURE Aminos
Weee!! Yey!!!
Girl…you NEED to put PARIS on that list!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…MCM Training Recap Week 10: Another great training week and a giveaway announcement!
Ah! YES! Added!
I would love to run the Athens marathon! MCM has been on my bucket list forever.
jill conyers recently posted…My Yoga Journey
Oooo yes to MCM!
I did the RnR New Orleans twice and going back for a 3rd. The RnR series are just awesome! I’m signed up to do RnR Nashville it should be fun! I hope to mark off a major one on my bucket list come this January where I’ll be running in the Walt Disney World Marathon. π Others are of course Las Vegas and I’d also love to do the Kentucky Derby on since we are so much into horses!
Tricia@MissSippipiddlin recently posted…Winners for RooSport Giveaway
New Orleans and Nashville both sound awesome! They probably have the best music. I’m so pumped for Disney this year, too! EEK!