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8 Tips to Rock your Next Race-Cation

By Briana Sharp, 11/24/20, 11:15PM EST

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Travel-savvy Hall of Famer Briana Sharp shares her secrets for destination running success.

MAY 1, 2022

We're so excited to be back with our full race calendar for a whole new year of running. We've even added a new destination, if you haven't heard, with Rock 'n' Roll Salt Lake City. If you're as excited as we are to lace up for your next destination race, read on for some tips from a Hall of Famer who's raced all over North America. See you at the races!

1. Research your destination and airport options

Some cities have one main airport, while others may have a few options to choose from. This is true for many tour stops, including Washington DC, Las Vegas, and several others. Check the Travel section of each race’s web site for potential discounts from sponsoring airlines.

2. Find the sweet spot for your stay

Look at the race venues (start/finish lines, expo) to help identify the good locations for a hotel. The Travel section of your race weekend page is an excellent source to get the lay of the land. In some cases, the event venues are centrally located, but in others, not. When possible, I love to find a hotel within walking distance of a start line to give my legs a little warm-up before a race.

3. Find out what public transit options are available

Many cities have excellent light rail systems, which are quick, clean, and affordable, to and from an airport. In high traffic times, light rail can be faster than a car, too! I’ve taken light rail straight, buses, Ubers, and cabs to get where I need to go!

4. Pack like a pro

I’m a HUGE fan of packing cubes. I always bring a Pack-it Sport with me to carry my race gear (water-resistant, anti-microbial and anti-odor) and some cubes to carry my regular clothes. I’m always able to find everything easily, compress my gear as much as possible giving me extra room in my suitcase, and keep my dirty clothes separate from my clean ones.

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5. Use airport programs to fly through security and customs

TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Nexus are game-changers. Pick a program based on your travel patterns and program rules. Often, it takes an application, fee, and an interview to join one of these programs. I’ve had a great experience travelling since enrolling.

6. Show off that bling at the airport

By that, I mean, don’t forget to pull your shiny new hardware out at security. Especially on Remix Challenge weekends, or when I’ve gotten some aptly named Heavy Medals, I find it’s easiest to keep them in a bag that I can easily pull out of my suitcase at the airport so I don’t undergo extra searches for a “large metal objects” in my bag.

7. Eat like a local

Because of my travels, I’ve been able to enjoy awesome food all over the country. Isn’t part of why we run to eat? Poutine in Montréal, breakfast tacos in San Antonio, deli in New York City, fresh fish in Seattle. I always ask local people for their favorites and Yelp is another tool I use to discover hidden gems.

8. Take advantage of your destination

It’s easy to eat, run, sleep and leave. With so many great destinations in the Rock 'n' Roll Tour Stops, take some time to explore the sights! I found a great free walking tour of New Orleans, visited and learned the history of the Alamo (and visited the LBJ Presidential museum in Austin) during a trip to San Antonio, and saw Britney Spears in concert in Las Vegas. Check the Runners Perks section of the web site for your race to find discounts on local attractions.