Getting bored with your regular daily running track? Maybe even the annual marathon event in your town is growing tedious for you as a runner? Well, if you are really dedicated to your passion, why not try and go full-on exotic? You are probably aware of the fact that there is a huge number of beautiful places out there, lucrative to you as a proud and dedicated marathon-runner. There are many gorgeous places outside of the U.S. and Singapore for you to bask in, while running. A chance to breathe in a brand new whiff of air with a different scent. We say, why not!
Jungfrau Marathon, Switzerland
There is a reason why more than 3,000 runners from 35 different nations participate in this event on a yearly basis. This tough quest for the top requires runners to climb nearly 6,000 feet, setting off in the town of Interlaken, towards the breathtaking mountain pass of Kleine Scheidegg.
This area also offers beautiful sites to see, such as the famous alpine triumvirate: the Eiger, Mönch and Junfrau mountains. Often described as the hardest, yet most scenic and quite inspiring run, you’ll get a chance to forget about times past and bask in the beauty of the views it has to offer.
Date for the 24th Jungfrau-Marathon is on 10 September 2016. The online registration will open on 14 February 2016.
Islandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon, Iceland
The capital of Iceland has more to offer than it would appear and this marathon is just one of the examples. Reykjavík is widely renowned for the sheer beauty of its mountains and glaciers, and as many motion pictures have been shot there, it has certainly something to brag about. When it comes to the course, well, it is quite scenic.
Quite simple in terms of geometry, it starts in the very heart of the capital and ends at exactly the same place. However, the amazing landscapes that lie in between more than compensate for the simplicity of the track. The surrounding mountains of Esjan and the Snæfellsjökull glacier are definitely something not to miss in your lifetime. Rivers rich in salmon, a nearby waterfall, even a part of the woodlands are more than reason enough to satisfy your exhausted, pounding runner’s heart.
Date for the 33rd Islandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon is on 20 August 2016. The online registration has now opened.
Rome Marathon, Italy
Italy’s capital is more than the birth of civilization – it is home to one of the most famous marathons in Europe, potentially even in the world! What has made this track even more famous is the fact that it is home to an amazing achievement – Abebe Bikila was the first black man to win this competition, barefoot at that!
To make things more interesting, this course comes as a mixture of regular road and cobblestone, not missing a single historical site, such as the Navona Square, Circo Massimo, St. Peter’s Cathedral and Castel Sant’Angel. However, seeing as it comes as a mixture of surfaces, it is advised that you consult a quality gym training program, in order to make sure you avoid unnecessary injuries.
Date for the jubilee edition of the Rome Marathon is on 10 April 2016. The online registration has now opened.
Patagonian International Marathon, Chile
Three lakes, fjords, two glaciers, a salt pan, rivers and vast forests should be more than enough to motivate you to take up this course. Additionally, this is all set between 8 granite peaks, reaching heights of as much as 2,000m.
The Torres del Paine National Park is yet another breathtaking sight to see, while the very beginning of the marathon entails running across a sandbar on the edge of a beautiful lake, surrounded by icebergs and the huge Glacier Grey.
Date for the 4th Patagonian International Marathon, Chile is on 26 September 2016. The online registration has now opened.
Volcano Marathon, Chile
Yet another beautiful track from Chile – this marathon gets you going at 4,475m, near the Lascar Volcano. This is the single driest place on earth, so expect mindbogglingly small amounts of sweat – something no marathon runner can quite get used to.
You are in the Atacama Desert, and the above mentioned volcano is not the only one around. In fact, there is a total of 10 ominous, yet breathtaking volcanoes around. Be prepared to experience huge temperature fluctuations, reaching up to 30ºC.
Date for the 4th Volcano Marathon is on 12 November 2016. The online registration has now opened.
To Travel Is To Live
There is a way to make your tedious routine more interesting – visit the wildest places on earth, marathon-wise, and enjoy something completely different. This is a great way to see a great deal of sites, more than pleasant to the eye. However, approach with caution, consult your trainer and make sure you are healthy, safe and relaxed.
So do you agree it’s better to see something once, than to hear about it a thousand times?
