A few months ago, I received an email asking me to serve as a judge for USA Today’s 10 Best. At first, I thought it was a scam email. But upon further investigation, I realized this was the real deal. USA Today’s 10 Best had chosen me to join their prestigious panel.
I was invited to nominate races in the running and triathlon categories for their esteemed Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Nominations
As a judge, I had the privilege of nominating my favorite races. The list was extensive, filled with events that hold a special place in my heart, including St. Anthony’s Triathlon in St. Petersburg. I also loved the Donna Marathon in Jacksonville, a race that blends the beauty of this Florida city with the exhilaration of long-distance running.
EventPower’s Smithpoint Triathlon also made my list, a testament to its perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment, especially for the beginner triathlete. EventPower has so many amazing races, and I have also nominated Mighty Hamptons and Mighty Montauk.
Other nominations included the Apha Win Hudson Valley Marathon, a race that winds through New York’s stunning Hudson Valley, and the iconic NYC Marathon, a must-run for any serious marathoner. (I love this race and plan on going back this year!)
The Bolder Boulder 10K, Las Olas Sprint Triathlon from Integrity Multisport, Miami Man from Integrity Multisport, Lifetime Fitness Chicago Triathlon, and Miami Marathon were among the many other events that I felt deserved recognition.
I also nominated Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas and Rock ‘n Roll Nashville. In addition, I nominated many of the NY Road Runner races and NY Runs Races, which I always find to be a blast!
There were so many more that I nominated and even asked my WeREndurance team to submit their nominations.
About USA Today’s 10 Best
For those unfamiliar with the platform, USA Today’s 10 Best is a go-to site for travel and lifestyle recommendations. Their Readers’ Choice Awards are particularly notable, as they present an opportunity for readers to voice their opinions on the best in various categories. From food and drink to entertainment and sports, these awards cover a vast array of topics.
The races category, in particular, showcases a wide range of running and triathlon events from across the country. As a judge, I was tasked with nominating races that I believed offered exceptional experiences to participants. These nominations would then be put to a public vote, and the top 10 would be named the USA Today’s 10 Best.
The Hope
Having submitted my nominations, all that’s left now is to wait and hope. I hope that the races I nominated, those events that have touched my life in so many ways, get the recognition they deserve. Regardless of the outcome, however, I consider it a pure honor to have been involved in this process.