Marathon matters

One of the world's most extreme running events

Thursday, 06, May 2010 02:36

The London Virgin Marathon attracted over 36,500 runners from all over the world. Both novice and experienced athletes raced the 26.2 miles through diverse neighbourhoods experiencing a city that has so much to offer. Sabine Klensch discovers that runners are increasingly inspired to combine their running passion with exploring new travel destinations.

Brendan Fox, head of operations at Sports Tours International based in London, who specializes in sports holidays, says their bookings since the London marathon have increased. "Currently we are up over 20 per cent on last year and all week sales and enquiries have been massively up on last year. Fantastic really."

Sarah Ames, a German lawyer living in Chicago, USA, has finished 24 marathons all over the world and in the most adventurous places, like the Antarctica, North Pole, Nagano and Marrakech.

She is the first German woman to complete marathons on all seven continents, making her a member of the Seven Continents Club. Sarah is two races away from completing a second round.

"I just like to have a great destination experience when I travel to running events," says Sarah.

Talking over her running experiences, we identified exceptional race locations, marathon spots for beginners and expert runners, and tips to make racing in a holiday destination a smooth and exciting event.

Marathons give metropolis a chance to shine

The World Marathon Majors, with races held in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London and New York, are the most famous championship-style competitions. Boston is the only one that requires specific qualifying times to enter, based on gender and age.

These city races feature the cities themselves; their courses take runners through their most emblematic neighbourhoods.

"Especially if it is the first marathon, you have so many people cheering you on and so many runners running with you, it picks you up when you feel you are pushing the limits, which can really carry you to the finish," says Sarah.

New York City is currently considered one of the most popular races. Sydney's Marathon is another favourite with its stunning race start over Sydney Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House. Yet, it has less spectators than London or Chicago.

Less popular races in urban areas are ideal for athletes looking for a faster pace or to qualify for the Boston Marathon, as they are less crowded and offer better conditions for a faster race. Also the Berlin marathon is known for its fast pace.

If you are starting out running abroad, how about entering New York's first-ever NYC Urban Race on September 25th 2010. The race's course will feature NYC's iconic landmarks throughout the approximately eight-mile course, which will weave in and out of Manhattan's breathtaking waterfront.

For the most dedicated and adventurous

Outside the famous city marathons, races through rural areas and nature reserves are appealing option for nature lovers. And their more isolated character is compensated by the scenery. Two of the most extreme marathon events in the world are in Antarctica and the North Pole.

The Antarctica Marathon must be the toughest event to get to but Sarah explains that it is spectacular because of the location.

Sarah's motivation to run the Antarctica Marathon was by chance: "I travelled several times to Punta Arenas, Chile and Ushuaia, Argentina, and I would see the ships heading down to the southernmost continent and I always wanted to go, but not with a regular cruise tour. That's when I discovered Marathon Tours who charters cruise ships only for marathon runners."

Sarah completed the Antarctica marathon

Travelling with an active group made the trip especially enjoyable for her: "We all connected immediately and ran the marathon but we also did other activities like kayaking and cruised through icebergs."

Booking far in advance due to its incredible popularity is required for the south pole destination. The journey from Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel across Drake Passage and through the Shetland Islands and along the Antarctic Peninsula is sold out for 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Only two organisers arrange trips to the marathon in the Antarctica, which takes place during the summer in February: Marathon Tours in Boston, founder of the Seven Continents Club, and the adventure race organiser Richard Donovan, who also organises the North Pole Marathon.

"To experience the North Pole Marathon tops everything, but it is not a race that everybody can do because of complex logistics," notes Sarah.

The entry fee for the North Pole marathon in 2011 is ?11,900 (£10,000) including accommodation, return flight from Spitsbergen to the North Pole, race entry fee, helicopter rides in the polar region and merchandise. Private charter planes and a private base camp are arranged, which explain the high costs.

"You have to be fit, and you have to be not afraid of the cold, as you are in a safe but still very extreme environment," says the Chicago runner, "Stepping out of this helicopter on to the North Pole where there were no tracks of any kind felt like stepping on an out-of-world. This was probably as close as I would ever come to stepping on the moon. "

What to consider before going on your journey

For instance participants of the Antarctica Marathon are responsible for their own liquids. Sarah explains: "You have to bring four water bottles from the ship and you have them spread out along the course by the organizers."

"Overall make it easy on yourself," says Sarah, "if it is one of your first races abroad, pick a city or place that you are familiar with rather than a marathon in a very remote area."

Marathon tour organizers are an especially convenient option for first time marathon runners. Besides arranging the race itinerary, they offer packages to tour the country after the race and it is a good way to meet people. Plus many have experienced staff that know the races inside out and pass on this knowledge to their customers.

Sports Tours International has recently added many new destinations to its running portfolio: "People want to have a holiday whilst away as much as run in an event, so we've added Disneyland California half Marathon, Stockholm women's 10k and recently we added Malta as it's a great marathon out of peak season so the hotel rates are excellently low and the weather good," says Brendan Fox.

The tour operator also offers cycling and triathlon events, so real enthusiasts can train for the London marathon for the first four months of the year, then the cycling Etape du Tour in July, enter the London triathlon in August, then finish up the year with the New York City marathon.

"The average runner wants more from their travel now," Brendan Fox explains.

"Not just race entry and a hotel bed. We are offering a wider range of hotel quality options plus sightseeing trips together with new and exciting destinations."

Sarah is looking forward to her next race, the Rapa Nui Marathon on Easter Island in June 2010 and the Buenos Aires marathon in October 2010 (10/10/10). The Great Wall Marathon, Bhutan in the Himalayas (not an annual race), the Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town, as well as London and Berlin are still on her list.

Travelling for a marathon definitely has its charm and enables running-aficionados to experience new cities and new cultures with genuine race experiences specific to a large variety of destinations.

Sabine Klensch

To find out what races are coming up this year visit the International Marathon Calendar 2010.

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