August 15, 2009
Filed under Running
From striding alongside wild game in Kenya to taking on the icy Antarctic plains, marathons can be a superb way to discover the world as well as test your personal limits. Here are some of the most spectacular options…
Marathon of the Midnight Sun
In the far north of Norway, this is one event where the title says it all. Runners set off in Tromsø within the Arctic Circle shortly before midnight – and the sun keeps on shining even when they’re trying to break through "the wall".
When: June
More details: www.msm.no
Paris Marathon
A spring marathon that is an excellent big city alternative to London, this race wends its way through all the classic Paris landmarks, starting along the Champs-Élysées.
When: April
More details: www.parismarathon.com
Safaricom Marathon
This is run through the spectacular terrain of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya, with wild game looking on curiously. Participants raise money for conservation and community projects.
When: June
More details: www.tusk.org
Antarctic Ice Marathon
One of the few races in the world where snowmobiles act as support vehicles, this last frontier event will test your limits at the ends of the earth. Participants need to negotiate snow and ice for the whole length of the course.
When: December
More details: www.icemarathon.com
North Pole Marathon
Meanwhile, at the other end of the earth, this one bills itself as the world’s coolest marathon. Runners battle sub-zero temperatures as well as the challenge of completing 26.2 gruelling miles.
When: April
More details: www.npmarathon.com
New York Marathon
One of the best supported of all the big city marathons, this atmospheric race goes through all five of New York’s main boroughs with a spectacular (and deceptively undulating) finish in an autumnal Central Park…
…among advocates of the New York Marathon is Paula Radcliffe, who is a big fan of the course, having won the race twice…
When: November
More details: www.nycmarathon.org
London Marathon
Quite possibly the greatest city marathon on earth (we’re biased, we admit it), this spectacular annual event is awash with heartwarming tales, outlandish costumes and one of the best atmospheres you will find at any race.
When: April
More details: www.london-marathon.co.uk
Reykjavik Marathon
This race, in the world’s most northerly capital, skirts the waterfront of this attractive Icelandic city. The event coincides with Reykjavik culture night…
…while the soothing geothermal waters of Blue Lagoon are nearby, ideal for soaking lactic acid-racked limbs.
When: August
More details: www.marathon.is
Prague Marathon
You won’t find a start quite like this anywhere else, as runners are set off by the famous astronomical clock in the Old Town Square. The course, through the town’s medieval centre and along the Vltava river, has an undeniably picturesque route.
When: May
More details: www.praguemarathon.com/en
Berlin Marathon
If you want to take part in a record-breaking race, head here. The magnificent Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie has broken the world record twice in consecutive years in this flat-as-a-pancake course. Perfect for runners who want to say "I was there when…"
When: September
More details: www.real-berlin-marathon.com
Boston Marathon
Don’t even think about applying for this one unless you’re a pretty handy endurance athlete already – qualifying times are 3 hours 10 for senior men and 3 hours 40 for women. However, if you’ve got what it takes, you get to participate in the world’s most prestigious marathon, which has been running since 1897.
When: April
More details: www.bostonmarathon.org
Marathon du Médoc
This is much more geared towards fun than the Boston Marathon. Run through Bordeaux chateaux and vineyards, this is as much about gourmet food as it is about running, with participants in fancy dress free to sample some of the region’s fantastic specialties, including excellent vintages of wine.
When: September
More details: www.marathondumedoc.com
Honolulu Marathon
Arguably the world’s number one destination marathon – more than half the participants are from outside the USA (mostly from Japan) – this event’s appeal derives mainly from its exotic location and the fact that no strict finishing times are imposed on participants.
When: December
More details: www.honolulumarathon.org
Marathon des Sables
Strictly speaking, this is much more than a marathon. It is a six-day endurance fest in the Sahara, considered by some as the toughest foot race in the world. Counter-intuitively, its popularity just continues to grow.
When: March/April
More details: www.darbaroud.com
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Tags: Antarctic, Arctic Circle, Berlin, Boston, Boston Marathon, gourmet food, Haile Gebrselassie, Honolulu, Honolulu Marathon, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, london, marathons, New York, Old Town Square, Paris, Paula Radcliffe, prague, pretty handy endurance athlete, Reykjavik, runner, Sahara, The Boston Marathon, Vltava river, www.bostonmarathon.org, www.darbaroud.com, www.honolulumarathon.org, www.icemarathon.com, www.london-marathon.co.uk, www.marathon.is, www.marathondumedoc.com, www.msm.no, www.npmarathon.com, www.nycmarathon.org, www.parismarathon.com, www.praguemarathon.com/en, www.real-berlin-marathon.com, www.tusk.org
August 14, 2009
Filed under Running
The 24th
Marathon des Sables or
Marathon of the Sands took place recently. The grueling six-day foot race across the Moroccan Sahara is one of the toughest in the world. The race covers 151 miles but was shortened this year because of bad weather. Many participants give up before reaching the finish line because of the rugged terrain that ranges from sandy to rocky. The daily average temperatures during the race are 86 degrees. Competitors run as far as 50 miles a day and are required to carry their own water and food. Water is rationed and handed out at checkpoints.
A long file of competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, 2009 climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. AFP/Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor climbs a dune, during the third stage of the 24rd Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. The Desert Marathon is considered as the hardest in the world. Participants have to walk along more than 200 km during 7 days in the Sahara, Southern Morocco. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors are pictured one kilometer after the start on the fourth and last stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during five days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six
marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert.
AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors are pictured in the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor is accompanied by children a few moments after the start of 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, as he climbs the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometers south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
One of the 812 competitors of the 24rd Marathon des Sables is pictured during the second stage in the Sahara desert, in Erg Znaigi, on March 31, 2009. Competitors must carry all their equipement on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organisers. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A competitor runs during the third stage of the 24rd Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. The Desert Marathon is considered as the hardest in the world. Participants have to walk along more than 200 km during 7 days in the Sahara, Southern Morocco. 812 competitors are due to take part in the race. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
British William Davies runs some 20 kms before the finish line, on March 3, 2009, during the fourth stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six
marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert.
AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Slovak competitor Anton Vencelj runs down a stony path on 3 march 2009, during the fourth stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Competitors react as they start on 3 march 2009, the fourth and last stage, 42 kms long, of the 24rd "Marathon des Sables" in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate. 812 participants had to walk all along 200 Kms during 5 days. Because of bad weather conditions, the race organisation decided to cancel the first and the last stages and to modify everyday the road book. The Marathon des Sables is considered to be the toughest foot race in the world, covering a distance equivalent to six marathons over normaly six days and half, through the southern Moroccan desert. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
Some of the 812 competitors of the 24rd Marathon des Sables take the start of the third stage in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometers, south of Ouarzazate, on April 1, 2009. This is the departure of a tow days and one night 90 Kms stage, in a race of 3 other days of varying length and terrain. Competitors must carry all their equipement on their backs. Only a carefully rationed nine litres of water and open-sided local tents are provided daily by the organisers. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
A long file of competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, on March 30, 2009 climbing the first dunes of Merzouga, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate in Morocco, a day late due to heavy rain last week. The first stage was cancelled and the route modified. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
One day before competitors take the start of the 24th Marathon des Sables in the Sahara desert, some 300 kilometres south of Ouarzazate, a French runner waits in the flooded camp, after 24 hours of torrential rain. The race started a day late because of the rain, and the route was modified. AFP / Getty Images / Pierre Verdy
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