Organic Foods Oregon
Ten Must-Do Races by Paul Scott
Investing time and money in travelling to a race means choosing an event you’ve always dreamed of running, or one in a destination you want to visit. Here are races that offer something different, ranging from gruelling stage races and marathons in extreme environments to fun runs and relays.
Boston Marathon, USA
The Boston Marathon is the grand daddy of all the big city marathons. The first race took place in 1897, making it the world’s oldest annual marathon, and by insisting that only runners who qualify may enter the race it retains a prestige that’s absent from many similar events. The course is slightly downhill but it is still considered tough, and to say you have finished the Boston Marathon will earn some serious bragging rights with your running friends.
London Marathon, UK
For a big city marathon, London is hard to beat. The course passes some of the capital’s most famous landmarks before culminating in a stunning finish outside Buckingham Palace on the Mall. The crowds, atmosphere, camaraderie and the sheer fancy-dress-driven fun of it will stay with you forever. Since the first race in 1981, the London Marathon’s popularity shows no sign of waning. Nearly 100,000 people applied for 20,000 public ballot places this year.
Comrades Marathon, South Africa
The world’s biggest mass-participation ultra hasn’t been around for as long as the Boston Marathon but it has just as much tradition. The 54-mile race was first run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in 1921 as a tribute to comrades who died in the First World War. South Africa’s isolation in more recent times led to Comrades becoming the country’s most popular race. The direction the course is run alternates each year.
Great Ethiopian Run, Ethiopia
You might not think to travel abroad for a 10K, but the Great Ethiopian Run in Addis Ababa is well worth the effort. Look around the start line at many overseas races and you’ll notice that competitors are predominantly from Western countries. Here you will be one of very few foreigners, making for a refreshingly different cultural experience.
Don’t even think about your time or your place in this race. Addis Ababa is located at altitude and is home to dozens of the world’s finest distance runners.
Hood to Coast Relay, USA
This annual relay sees teams of between eight and 12 runners tackle the 197-mile course from the slopes of Oregon’s Mount Hood to the Pacific Ocean town of Seaside. The race has been going for 25 years and it regularly attracts 12,000 runners. If you don’t have a team, the organizers will try to find one for you.
Himalayan 100-mile stage race, India
For a real challenge, head to India for this five-day stage race. The first day includes a climb of more than 1000ft over 24 miles, although views of four of the world’s five highest peaks – Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga – will provide a great incentive to reach the finish. The wonderful scenery and tough stages continue for the next four days when you will run from 13 to 30 miles.
Inca Trail Marathon, Peru
At 27.5 miles this is a little further than a marathon but past participants have claimed that it feels more like 50 as you tackle the punishing but beautiful mountain passes of the Inca Trail before arriving at the ancient Inca ruins on top of Machu Picchu. The running may well be tough but the luxurious accommodation and the wonderful sightseeing throughout the rest of the trip will make this feel more like a holiday than a race.
North Pole Marathon
If you want to run where few people have even set foot, head for the North Pole Marathon. Billed as the world’s coolest marathon, it takes place at a temporary camp on the ice. It’s the only certified marathon distance that’s run entirely on water – the frozen Arctic Ocean – and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the most northerly marathon on the planet.
Médoc Marathon, France
For something a little closer to home, but no less unusual, the Médoc Marathon near Bordeaux is hard to beat. You should leave your watch at home to truly appreciate the landscape of vineyards and châteaux as you sample local cheese and other delicacies at the 22 food stations. Stop at all 21 wine drinks stations and you might never reach the finish, but if you do, the first and last runners are awarded their weight in wine.
Bay to Breakers, USA
More of a fun run than a serious race, the Bay to Breakers in San Francisco is one giant party of fancy dress costumes from start to finish. As the name suggests, the race starts on the Embarcadero in San Francisco Bay finishing by the Golden Gate Bridge after 12K. More than 70,000 runners take part every year, making this one of the world’s biggest, and most memorable, races.
About the Author
Why not visit our web site for all you need to know about
Leather Car Seats.
For reviews on
Baby Car Seat Covers or What to Look For When Buying a Treadmill
Ayers Creek Farm | Carol Boutard | Oregon organic food