The 50 Best Costumes At The 2009 London Marathon

By Matt Stopera

So apparently it’s a tradition for people to run the London Marathon in crazy costumes. Anyone who can run 26.2 miles is amazing to me, let alone someone who can run it in dressed in full Storm Trooper garb. Check out my list for the 50 best costumes from this past week’s marathon. It’s like a Halloween party where everyone wears running shoes.

 

• 1. Giant Nurse

  

• 2. Horse Thing With Pillows

  

• 3. Space Man?

  

• 4. Batman And Robin

  

• 5. Baywatch Hotties

  

• 6. Bride And Groom

  

  Looks more like a Virgin Daughter and Father to me.

• 7. Carrot Top

  

• 8. This Thing

  

  ??

• 9. Chicks

  

• 10. Banana Man (Classic)

  

• 11. Clown

  

• 12. Guy In A Suit

  

  What’s on his shoulders?

• 13. Rubix Cube

  

• 14. Daisy Man

  

• 15. The King

  

• 16. Gnome

  

• 17. Guys In Red Dresses/Cowboy Hats

  

  No idea with this one.

• 18. Orange Things

  

• 19. The Queen

  

• 20. Marshmallow Man

  

• 21. Hot Mess

  

• 22. New Years Eve Guy

  

• 23. Storm Trooper

  

• 24. Guy On A Horse

  

  Love these things.

• 25. Lepprachan Woman

  

• 26. Hot Mess #2

  

• 27. Fred Flintstone

  

• 28. Cheerleader

  

• 29. Hawaiian Dream

  

• 30. Pimp

  

• 31. Wild West Man?

  

• 32. Hulk

  

  I originally thought it was the Joker. I guess I was thrown off by the purple hair.

• 33. Kayak Man

  

• 34. Mexican Spider Dude

  

• 35. Mini Mouse

  

• 36. Santa

  

• 37. Save The Rhino’s!!!

  

• 38. Smurf

  

• 39. Giant Sneaker Man

  

• 40. SpongeBob And Patrick

  

• 41. The Girl From That Blind Melon Music Video

  

• 42. An Animal Chain Thing

  

• 43. I’m Not Sure If This Is Actually A Costume…

  

• 44. Tuxedo Speedo

  

• 45. Bride Man

  

• 46. WonderWoMAN

  

• 47. Yellow Thing

  

  What is that thing again?

• 48. Your Grandfather In A Speedo As Superman

  

• 49. Satan

  

• 50. Wolverine

  

 

10 Extreme Marathons

Source WomansDay.com

Check out 26.2-mile running challenges from around the world

Athletes compete in marathons for a number of reasons; along with the desire to achieve a new goal or to challenge their mental and physical state, there’s often the wish to travel and experience a new culture. With that in mind, we found some of the most inspiring, grueling and rewarding races—many located on difficult terrains, while others are held in breathtaking destinations. From running through the jungles of Africa to taking on the world’s highest peak, the challenges below serve as the perfect opportunity for many athletes to leave their footprints all around the world.

 

Great Wall Marathon in China
Most stairs to climb in a marathon

The Great Wall Marathon in northern China boasts an all-inclusive experience for athletes, offering a historical landscape, incredible views of Tianjin Province and an epic workout: 5,164 steps of the Great Wall, which are climbed twice throughout the course. The experience is also available in 5 km, 10 km and half-marathon form. Photo courtesy of greatwallmarathon.com

 

Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon in Tanzania
Most amateur-friendly marathon

Every June in Africa, a crop of the fittest amateur athletes take on the Mt. Kilimanjaro challenge. The route is a 10.5 km loop that is run four times, and each year the race is won by a nonprofessional runner. The pastoral landscape with Mt. Kilimanjaro on the horizon guarantees a scenic run, making this one of the most exotic marathons. Photo courtesy of Re: womansday.com would like to post a photo of Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon for …Christina Helbig.

 

The Polar Circle Marathon in Greenland
Iciest marathon

The Polar Circle Marathon takes runners through the arctic tundra of Greenland—giving new meaning to the term icy hot. Runners blaze through uneven gravel roads and thick ice caps—with occasional snowfall—while absorbing the beautiful landscape of one of the least populated corners of the world. Photo courtesy of albatrostravel.co.za

 

Everest Marathon in Nepal
Highest-altitude marathon

Listed in the Guinness World Records as the highest-altitude setting of any marathon in the world, the Everest Marathon—which began in 1987—takes runners on a journey through some very rough terrain. With a starting point of 17,000 feet above sea level, the course is mostly downhill (with two very steep uphill challenges), and is reserved for the more experienced athlete. Photo courtesy of Alison Greer

 

Safaricom Marathon in Kenya
Most exposure to the elements in a marathon

What started out as a fundraiser in 2000 has become one of the world’s most grueling marathons. Geared toward challenge-seeking runners, its course is set on the harsh dirt-road terrain of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy at an average altitude of 5,500 feet above sea level. Runners enjoy breathtaking views and, if they are lucky, glimpses of Africa’s big game animals. Photo courtesy of sokomoto.com

 

ING New York City Marathon in New York
Largest marathon

One of the hardest to get into—a 3-year waiting period is the norm for a runner not participating with a charity or running club—this marathon receives 100,000 applications each year. Being cheered on by spectators while running through all five New York City boroughs is a truly unforgettable experience. Though the last leg of the race goes through Central Park, the energy and magnificence of the city is ever present the entire 26.2 miles. Photo courtesy of Martineric via flickr.com

 

Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon in San Diego
Most musical marathon

From the Balboa Park starting point, around the San Diego Zoo and alongside the harbor, runners in this California marathon are serenaded during the entire race. The course contains 26 entertainment stages and 40 cheerleader squads that serve up adrenaline-pumping excitement the whole way through. Photo courtesy of The Competitor Group

 

Marathon du Médoc in France
Most indulgent marathon

This marathon—described as a mixture between Mardi Gras, Woodstock and Halloween—is in Pauillac, France. Runners head to the starting line to await a sip of wine and a trapeze act dangling overhead. The course navigates through vineyards and includes 22 refreshment stands and 21 food stands—which feature a variety of snacks, such as beef, oysters and ice cream. A red carpet decorates the last 100 meters of the race and runners are greeted with more wine once they cross the finish line. Photo courtesy of marathondumedoc.com

 

Dead Sea Ultra Marathon in Jordan

Lowest-altitude marathon

This marathon course is mostly downhill—competitors run from Amman, which sits 900 meters above sea level, to the Dead Sea finishing line, which sits 400 meters below sea level. Since there is minimal shade in the desert-like setting, runners have to make sure they bring sunscreen to protect their skin from the excess of direct sunlight. Photo courtesy of Thomas Ritter via panoramio.png

 

Athens Marathon in Greece
Most historically significant marathon

The word marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, which tells the story of a Greek messenger sent from the town of Marathon to Athens with the announcement that the Persians had been defeated. It is said that he ran the entire distance. Now, runners who participate in the 26.2-mile challenge—held on the exact same ground—are said to be running in the footsteps of one of many heroes who gave birth to Western civilization. Photo courtesy of Apostolos Greek Tours

 

8 Fun Family Festivals

Support the local community and have fun with the whole family. Here are eight festivals across the U.S. that help you fit in your weekend workout and offer tons of activities and events for the rest of the gang.