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In this episode, Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr tackle a big question: What is the best American marathon that isn’t a World Marathon Major? Using their Philadelphia Marathon Weekend experience as a catalyst, they break down the traits of a true “Great American Marathon,” from elite-friendly course design (03:48) to race-day logistics (18:35), spectator experience (15:10), and city identity (41:00). They compare Philly to other top contenders such as CIM, Grandma’s, Houston, and Twin Cities (22:00), while also examining how mid-sized races often outperform majors in value, execution, and overall runner experience. If you’re choosing your next big marathon, this deep dive is required listening.

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