From 5Ks to marathons, vote now for the best races in the US
Racing season is upon us, so USA TODAY 10Best editors teamed up with a panel of experts to find the best races across the United States by selecting top nominees across six categories. Now, we need you to vote for your favorites to help decide the winners. Whether you’re just starting out with 5Ks, enjoy testing your mettle in sprint triathlons or like hitting the streets in road cycling events, there’s something for you to vote on.
You can vote once per day, per category until voting ends on Monday, March 25 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on Friday, April 5.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best 5K Race
5Ks are great for beginners and experienced runners alike — Photo courtesy of E+ / skynesher
The mighty 5K is by far the most popular race in the U.S., with around 9 million registrants annually. USA TODAY 10Best editors and a panel of running enthusiasts have compiled a list of their top 20 5K races, and we need your help to determine the best of the best.
Which 5K race do you think is tops?
Best Fun Run
Let loose with a fun run — Photo courtesy of Jag_cz / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Competition is great and all, but plenty of runners of all skill levels appreciate the opportunity to just hit the road and have a good time. And “fun” is definitely the watchword in the 20 events highlighted here by USA TODAY 10Best editors and a panel of experts, each with a unique aspect sure to leave you smiling as you cross the finish line.
Which fun would you most like to participate in?
Best Half Marathon
Half-marathons have been growing in popularity — Photo courtesy of tibor5 / iStock / Getty Images Plus
The half-marathon is the fastest-growing race distance in the U.S., with some 2 million runners now participating annually. USA TODAY 10Best editors and a panel of expert runners have compiled a list of their 20 top events, and now it’s your turn to weigh in.
Which half-marathon do you think is the best?
Best Marathon
Marathons are a real test of endurance — Photo courtesy of iStock / ZamoraA
The United States hosts around 1,000 marathons every year, the largest of which see tens of thousands of endurance runners crossing the finish line and conquering the grueling 26.2-mile distance. These 20 marathons have been selected by an expert panel as the best in the country, and now it’s your turn to decide the winners.
Which marathon is your top pick?
Best Road Cycling Event
Road cycling events can be short sprints or grueling days-long endurance races — Photo courtesy of E+ / Ziga Plahutar
First organized as a sport more than 150 years ago, road cycling events remain a popular way for professionals and enthusiasts alike to compete against the backdrop of some of the United States’ most stunning scenery. These 20 road cycling events have been selected by an expert panel as the best in the country, and now it’s your turn to decide the winners.
Which road cycling event would you most like to try?
Vote: Best Road Cycling Event »
Best Sprint Triathlon
Test your abilities in three different events with a sprint triathlon — Photo courtesy of GlobalStock / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Bringing together three distinct disciplines — running, cycling, and swimming — triathlons have tested athletes’ endurance for nearly a half-century. Thousands of these events are held throughout the U.S. every year, so we’ve asked a panel of experts to nominate their picks for the 20 best sprint triathlons in the country, which are more accessible than their Olympic counterparts.
Which sprint triathlon is your favorite?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Friday, April 5.
