With 26.2-miles to cover, just finishing a marathon your first time around is challenging enough. A rookie runner can increase his or her chances for success before they even toe the line. How? By choosing the right marathon to run.

Here's some quick advice:

• Choose a marathon close by. That is, don't fly across three time zones before you run your first marathon. (Or, if you must, get there three or four days before.)
• Cool weather is preferable to hot or humid conditions. Don't run your first marathon in Singapore if you can help it.
• Bigger isn't always better. Everyone wants to run in the world famous races (Chicago, Marine Corps, Boston) with large fields, but don't ignore the medium-sized marathons.

Held at the end of May in Burlington, the Vermont City Marathon is one of those mid-sized marathons (around 2,000 runners) that has a ton to offer. The course is rolling, with one tough hill around 16 miles, but a scenic route and spirited musicians along the course can pump up the runners.

For race information, contact the Vermont City Marathon, P.O. Box 152, Burlington, VT 05402, or visit them online.