If you go to a race alone, one way to run with others is to find a pace group—if the race has them. Not only is the Little Rock Marathon finisher’s medal famous for being one of the biggest in the country—one behemoth had a 8.5-inch diameter and weighed 3.3-pounds—but the race hosts one of the friendliest finish lines around for back-of-the-pack runners. An easy race to sign up for, but it does sell out (so register early when the prices are cheaper), this event has experienced runners who use it to qualify for Boston and first-time marathoners who want a big-city race.