Wisconsin - Lake Front marathon

http://www.badgerlandstriders.org/lfm/index.html

It is usually first week of Oct. Only 2-3,000 runners - think it is usually same day as Chicago.
Nice course - point to point - lot of running out in the country then back in to the Lake - good support and nice crowds. Friendly course. No significant hills.
I've done it a couple times.

Mardi Gras Marathon in Louisiana. It's in February...totally totally flat. I was there the first year after Katrina and we ran through both the French Quarter and some of the hard-hit areas of the city. Smaller crowds since most folks were still evacuated, but the volunteers were so happy to have us there.

Montana- Missoula Marathon -just one hill, mostly flat and fast. Really small race but the town is great!
www.runwildmissoula.org

Have fun!

St. Georges in Utah.
Capon Valley 50K in West Virginia.

Texas - Dallas - White Rock Marathon. http://www.runtherock.com/

Its always in December, and for Texas that means it could be 60-70, or like this past year 42 and raining a little. Regardless, its usually great running weather!

AZ has a couple of cool ones The PF Changs Marathon in Jan or Dec can't remember which one. The Tucson marathon is pretty cool too, largely downhill course through some really beautiful country.

Thanks for all the input.
Depending on my budget I am hoping to get a few in a year.

Please keep the suggestions coming. I am making a list.
I will Let you know when I am in a certain race if anybody want to meet up.

Illinois: Chicago Marathon

Missouri: St. Louis Marathon

Both are the "premier" marathons for their state and should provide you with a good experience. The St. Louis Marathon is in April and Chicago is in October (I think) so plenty of time between the events for you to include more marathons.

Good luck!

In Georgia the ING Georgia Marathon in March is the prefered race over the Atlanta Marathon on Thanksgiving Day. The course and weather are nicer, more goodie bag schwag, etc.

Yes, it's here in Atlanta. I did the half this past March. The full and half start at the same time, with the full running the longer outer loop and the half the inner loop. It was pretty cool - we were at mile 11 of the half, when the leaders on the full passed us - amazing!

I am interested in the Umstead 100 for North Carolina now.

First Light Marathon in Mobile, Alabama takes place in early January. It is a small race, but on some beautiful, historic roads often shaded by oak trees which hang over the entire street. It is well supported and the community turns out for the event. I only ran it once, this last year. Also, it is a very inexpensive race (35 dollar entry fee, I think) and I'm pretty sure most if not all of your entry fee goes directly to supported L'Arche Mobile, an organization I've volunteered for (SPAMMER!). But really, its a good race, 60 degree weather generally, and in a beautiful city.

Tennessee:
Memphis St. Jude Marathon-usually the first weekend in December; flat course, good , cool temps. I've done the half, plan on maybe doing the full this year.
Nashville Country Music Marathon- usually in April, more hills, 30,000-40,000 runners(I think), should be good temps. never done, but everybody I know that has done this one raves about it. Lots of music throughout, good post race partying, sounds similar to Chicago in size and excitement, except for the hills.

Illinois:
Chicago is an awesome race with 40,000+ of your closest friends(yes, Beads, you can try to meet all of them if you wish) Lots of spectator support(1-2 million) and cool areas to run through. Also, good temps.,(normally, although upper 80's really shouldn't have been that bad)