As a race lover, I often find myself having to balance between local races vs. racecations. There’s something nice about being able to get to the start line after a short drive, but sometimes it’s even nicer to build an entire trip around a new and exciting race experience. How do you decide? Let’s dive in!
I Love To Support Local
I love supporting local, so my local races are really where it’s at. The majority of my races are ones I run in a span of three or four counties. Because of the way our area is designed, there aren’t too many super close start lines (the nearest used to be about five miles from my house, but I can still find plenty of fantastic events within 45 minutes. Running local means supporting the race management companies that keep running alive and well in our area, so I do my best to patronize them.
Local Races Are Full Of Familiar Faces
When you run local, you see so many people you know. They are friends, run group members, and people who also love coming out to the nearby events. It’s always great to have a built in support network, especially if you don’t have your own cheering section with you. There’s a sense of belonging when you bump into people you know before and a race, and it’s lovely to have people to celebrate with afterwards.
Local Races Support Local Causes
It’s always so great to know that a portion of your registration fee goes to supporting charity. When you run local, those charities are usually the ones near and dear to where you live. One of our big races is the DONNA, which was founded by Donna Deegan, currently serving as Mayor of Jacksonville. Deegan is a four time breast cancer survivor, and created the DONNA to help with detection, treatment and financial support of local cancer patients. It’s so nice to know that funds raised are helping members of our own community. We also have events like Pink Up The Pace, which does similar work in St. Augustine, and the Alligator Farm’s Raptor Run, which supports local conservation efforts.
It’s Easier To Schedule Local Races
For the most part, you can wake up the morning of a local race and decide to register and run. No real planning is needed and if you’re lucky, you can be home in time for breakfast. It’s a nice perk to just get out there on any given morning and knock out a race.
But on the other hand…
Racecations Take You To New Places
While it’s nice to be familiar with the races you choose to run, there’s something super cool about new terrain, new surfaces, new climates, and even new air. I love a change of scenery, and it’s great to mix it up. To be honest, I might not have ever traveled to Biloxi, Mississippi (or even Mississippi in general) if I didn’t have a goal of 50 races in 50 states.
You Meet New People At Reactions
I’m not the most social person, but it’s always nice to see new faces when you travel to race in other places. I’ve met up with people I might only know from social media (in this case, a group of ambassadors), or I might meet entirely new people. It’s nice to know runners in other parts of the state, country, or world, so that’s a pretty cool benefit.
Racecations Are A Great Way To See New Cities
I love when race courses takes you through the “best of” an area. It’s a great way to take in all the sights, and it even helps make the run more interesting. One of the highlights of my running career was racing near Albuquerque at the annual Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, on a trail surrounded by descending balloons. I am so lucky to have experienced that moment (and I met an Instagram friend there by chance, as well!)
Travel Is My Love Language, So Racecations Just Make Sense
I love travel more than most things, so turning them into racecations just comes naturally. I’ll race wherever I can, but it’s that much sweeter to do so in a new-to-me place. Scheduling can be tricky, but it’s worth it to make races fit in to our travel plans.
Do you prefer local races or heading out on a racecation?
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Such a fun read, Jenn! You nailed the pros of both.
I love how local races feel like a community block party – familiar faces, hometown causes, and home in time for coffee.
But I love the racecations, too! Running and exploring a new city is my peak happiness.
I remember that hot air balloon race – so magical!
The balloon race was so awesome!
This is such a great post, Jenn, and like Catrina said, you nailed the pros of both racing local and going on racecations. When I was racing, I liked a little of both, but probably preferred local a little bit more.
I’m wanting more and more vacation races!
I’m also a fan of both local and vacay races. Obviously, I do far more local evens than destinations these days, but I’m always on the search for new-to-me races to support.
I always love a new-to-me race!