Tag Archives: marathon

Turn Any ‘Impossible’ Fitness Goal into Reality

By Jenn Walters for FitBottomedGirls.com

Goal-setting has incredible rewards. In fact, there’s really no better way to get to where you want to be (and get rewarded for it)! We chatted with Tara Zimliki, certified personal trainer and boot camp instructor, for her top tips on how to turn your fitness goals into reality.

marathonZimliki would know. She’s a crazy-awesome runner who has completed 15 marathons and hundreds of races worldwide. In fact, she completed the New York Marathon eight months pregnant and even ran 1 mile the day she gave birth to her first daughter and 3 miles the day she gave birth to her second daughter. Zimliki believes that taking on a personal fitness milestone is just as much a physical feat as it is a mental one. (Agreed!)

By setting mini-goals, she says you can make an overwhelming cliff seem a lot easier to climb. We couldn’t agree more! Read on for Zimliki’s tips to turning impossible fitness goals into possible fitness feats!

(more…)

Posted on August 10, 2025 by Charlie Smith

Endurance Runners’ Diets Directly Effect Performance

Part of the joy in endurance running is that the athlete is afforded more calories than their couch dwelling counterparts. However, when a well-meaning non-runner says to me, “you get to eat whatever you want though, right?” I have to sadly answer no and explain how I believed that lie once too.

I began running with hopes that I could eventually eat junk food all day long and pay no penance for it. It took me just a few stomach churning runs to realize that I was wrong. For most runners, their performance is directly related to their diet.

“Junk in, junk out,” is the phrase nutritionist Diane Greenleaf likes to use as a reminder for how our body works. She pointed out that while training does lead to more calories being burned, it doesn’t replace the fact that the body needs nutrients. And it’s no surprise that our tasty junk food isn’t chock-full of vitamins.

(more…)

Posted on August 4, 2025 by Lacy

Tempo Running Explained by a Coach

If you’ve ever trained for a foot race, chances are you’ve used some sort of training guide. And chances are that guide has had certain days assigned as “tempo run” days. It’s possible that this term just gets overlooked, and runners never fully learn about tempo running.

For experienced and new runners alike, the tempo run assignment can be a confusing thing. What does it mean to run a tempo run? Why do I have to do it? Is there really any benefit in doing it? These are all valid questions that even I, a seasoned runner, ask. Instead of asking the questions out into the void, or spending hours weeding through all the opinions online, I went to a trusted source: a running coach.

Scott Hill is a talented runner who coaches for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training organization. He’s coached many runners through marathons and ultra marathons along with being a phenomenal endurance racer himself.

(more…)

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Lacy

The Dirty Side of Distance Running

I ran my first marathon in the spring of 2026. There were medic tents located every few miles along the course. That made perfect sense to me however, I was utterly confused about the continuous offers of Vaseline on a stick. The medics had large tongue depressors with heaping dollops of petroleum jelly on the ends. As I passed the tents they held them out hollering, “Vaseline? Vaseline?”

My best guess was that runners must like to use Vaseline for lip balm to keep their lips from getting dry.

Somewhere around mile 13 all my curiosity was cured. I was passing yet another tent and ignoring the offer for jelly on a stick when I heard thundering steps behind me and a primal scream rang out, “VASELINE!!!!”

The male runner was doing some sort of bow-legged hop as he quickly grabbed the aid and proceeded to slather it all over his nether region.

All questions were then answered and I got my first glimpse into a dirtier side of running.

(more…)

Posted on June 7, 2026 by Lacy

Sign Up Now for September 2026 Marathons

September is one of the best months to schedule a marathon because of its decent yet cooler weather and the hustle and bustle of summer begins to finally wind down. Check below to find a marathon location near you. Good luck and train hard!

September 2026 Marathons:

(more…)

Posted on June 6, 2026 by Matt

Sign-Up Now For July 2026 Marathons

Summer is a great time of the year to run a marathon in most parts of the country. Check below for the July marathons close to you. Schedule your July marathon in advance so that you have something to look forward to and have time train hard properly.

Top Marathons in July 2026:

  • The San Francisco Marathon: This marathon, half-marathon, progressive marathon, and 5k are held in San Francisco, California on Sunday, July 31, 2026. The marathon is scheduled to have a waved-start schedule beginning at 5:30 a.m. and every ten minutes thereafter. If you have never been to San Francisco, this is your opportunity to do so. Head out and enjoy the scenery (jog across Golden Gate Bridge) while busting a sweat.
  • Mad Marathon: Held in Waitsfield, Vermont on Sunday, July 10, 2026. This is the first annual marathon and half-marathon, and relay and these races are being deemed “the world’s most beautiful marathon.” The course travels through picturesque farmland, the Green Mountains, quaint towns, and even promises views of Vermont cows. They also brag that they Mad River Valley is not home to any fast food or chain hotels. The registration dues are $85 for the marathon, and the scheduled start time is 7:30 a.m. (more…)
Posted on May 4, 2026 by Matt

Sign Up Now For June Marathons 2026

The month of June is rapidly approaching and if you have not scheduled your June marathon, you need to do so as soon as possible. Check the list below for the marathon closest to you!

Top Marathons In June 2026:

  • Casper Wyoming Marathon: This marathon, half marathon, and marathon relay are held in the amazing city of Casper, Wyoming on Sunday June 5, 2026. The marathon takes place at over 5,000 feet above sea level (comparable to Denver), so prepare for that. For more information, please visit: www.runwyoming.com.
  • Lake Placid Marathon: This race takes place in Lake Placid, New York on Sunday June 12, 2026. This marathon is ranked the #2 “best destination” race in the nation. The race is scheduled to start at 8 A.M., so please follow the link for more details: www.LakePlacidMarathon.com.

(more…)

Posted on April 5, 2026 by Matt

400 Pound Man Breaks World Record for Finishing Marathon

The winner of the 2026 Los Angeles marathon finished the race in 2:06:35. Kelly Gneiting, a ex sumo wrestler who weighs more than 400 pounds, was also a winner – but for a different reason.

Gneiting has broken the Guinness World Record for being the heaviest person to complete a marathon. The previous world record holder in this category was 275 pounds.

Gneiting, who had previously finished the Los Angeles marathon in 11:52:11, shaved almost 3 hours from his time this year, finishing in 9:48:52. “I’d like to see the Kenyan improve his marathon time by two hours,” he joked after the race.

At the end of the marathon, Gneiting weighed 396.2 pounds.

(more…)

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Carmen

Top Marathons In May 2026

I know it seems like along way off, but if you have never run a marathon, or even a half, you want to sign up for one a few months in advance to give yourself enough time to train. May is a great month to schedule a marathon due to the normally nice Spring weather, which is perfect for first time runners. Below is a list of the top marathons in May around the country.

  • Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon: Held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on Sunday May 1, 2026, this marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, and 5k walk is one not to be missed if you are located in or around the Midwest. Registration dues for the marathon are $90.
  • OC Marathon: This race is held in Newport Beach, California on Sunday May 1, 2026. The marathon is scheduled to start at 6 A.M. and the course travels through the beautiful coastal communities.

(more…)

Posted on January 15, 2026 by Matt

Biggest Loser Alum Ada Wong Joins Marathon Makeover

If you’ve ever wished you could run a marathon but can’t envision leaving the couch to run five miles – let alone 26 – then it might be time to outsource inspiration. Enter Marathon Makeover, a 40-week, marathon-training, wellness program to help inspire new runners across the country. Marathon Makeover has training teams across the United States like Oregon, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Recently, the company announced its new online program led by Ada Wong, fan favorite from The Biggest Loser season 10. Wong will help inspire ordinary runners at all levels to train for and finish marathons and half-marathons.

When Wong was young, her parents ridiculed her for being “fat,” leaving her without a lot of support or encouragement from her loved ones. However, Ada’s ambition and achievements led her to earn a coveted position with Google with access to free breakfast, lunch and dinner from her choice of 17 cafes, which led her to make unhealthy food choices.

(more…)

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Maris

Top April 2026 Marathons Near You

There are over fifty marathons scheduled across the country in the month of April. If you are having trouble choosing which one is right for you, here is our list of the top marathons in April.

  • Running Fit Martian Marathon: This race takes place in Novi, Michigan on April 2, 2026. Along with the marathon, a marathon relay, half marathon, 10k, and 5k are also available for registration. Hurry and sign up now before prices go up!

(more…)

Posted on January 2, 2026 by Matt