If you keep up with trends, you know that the frenetic pace at which we are moving as a global society is starting to catch up with us. Health crises. Drug dependence. A loss of human contact because we are all too busy racing from one appointment to another.
How are some folks reacting to this pace? They’re becoming part of “slow movements,” says Orly Munzing, founder of the non-profit Strolling of the Heifers.
Exhausted people are adopting slow practices: slow food, slow money; even slow medicine. “Slow living means slowing down and thinking twice before you do something,” he adds.
Why not add slow runners to this movement? For those of you who don’t have egos at stake when running a marathon, taking it slow is nothing to be ashamed of.
We all get to the finish line eventually, and folks running in the slow lane often reach that finish line in better shape than our frenzied compatriots. The best news of all is that slow runners win marathons every day.
One slow runner’s attitude should be yours
Jasmine’s slower pace stopped her from entering marathons because she worried that she would be the object of ridicule by not keeping up. But then something amazing happened. Strangers encouraged her to keep going, telling her that it wasn’t a sprint—it was a marathon!
With each footfall, she realised that her pace was her signature. She didn’t have to prove anything. Just entering a marathon was proof of her character. She continues to compete, earn the admiration of other runners and the respect of other slow runners who have gotten more self-assured as a result of meeting Jasmine.
You can run a marathon—at any speed you like!
Having come to the realisation that a road to marathon is best taken by those who pace themselves, it’s time to introduce a brand new, year-long road to marathon series that gives you all the time you need to finish your race.
The upcoming 2020 World Cities Online Challenge: Road to Marathon is divided into 12 months, each one devoted to conquering the distance to a world capital city. Sound like fun?
Plan to run a road to marathon on your own terms and at your own pace if you want to prove your mettle in the year ahead. As long as you clock your 42.195km, who cares how slowly you ran to get there? This series is a dream-come-true for slow runners!
Online marathons are not a replacement for offline marathons, but rather act as an inclusive encouragement for runners.
Spacebib
Your Geographic Guide to the 2020 World Cities Online Challenge
Marathon #1: Run to Bangkok
How good to launch this event in a neighbouring nation as Bangkok, Thailand is the most visited city in the world in 2018 with 21.98 million international visitors!
Marathon #2: Run to Berlin
Imagine yourself on a road to marathon by sprinting beneath the Brandenburg Gate, the iconic 18th Century neoclassical monument commissioned by Prussian King Frederick William II.
Marathon #3: Run to Boston
Hang a poster of this famous city to inspire you. Boston remains a bastion of American history because so many important events leading to U.S. Independence happened there.
Marathon #4: Run to Chicago
At 319 acres, Grant Park is Chicago’s running mecca, so a photo of this runner’s paradise could be all you need to be inspired.
Marathon #5: Run to Gold Coast
If you’ve always thought about running a marathon in Australia, it’s perfectly acceptable to fill your head with thoughts of Brisbane’s sandy beaches as you log your distances.
Marathon #6: Run to Istanbul
Straddling Asia and Europe, this exotic city with its minarets, Roman-era buildings and open air markets is something of an enigma, but you can reward yourself with a Turkish coffee every time you add to your run total.
Marathon #7: Run to London
No audience with the Queen on this online race, but you could pick up some scones as a rewarding treat as you conquer your road to marathon success.
Marathon #8: Run to New York
Pay homage to the Big Apple by upping your fruits and veggies to get yourself into the best overall shape ever while running a marathon.
Marathon #9: Run to Paris
This is your chance to add a chic 2020 World Cities Online Challenge Paris-edition finisher T-shirt to your wardrobe.
Marathon #10: Run to Rome
Carb loading in Rome? Of course. And master these Italian words: “trionfatore” and “vincitrice,” male and female translations of the noun “Winner.”
Marathon #11: Run to Seoul
The sacred temples and shrines of Seoul are inspiring and awe-provoking so light a couple of incense sticks every time you add to your run total and you’ll be transported to this South Korean mecca.
Marathon #12: Run to Tokyo
It’s the last of the series but if you’re a sushi lover, your local eatery makes a great place to dine once you’ve completed the events on your list. A vacation in Japan makes the best reward of all.
Start Your Road to Marathon
How can you get in on as many of these individual marathons as you like? By visiting Spacebib so you don’t miss deadlines associated with each one.
As you cross them off your list, show off the exquisitely entitlements you collect, each of which will arrive around a week after you have completed each race.
Decide where you will display your medals, too. These symbols are thoughtfully designed, crafted of 100-percent recycled metal that make them eco-friendly and each is symbolic of an achievement you undertook while running a marathon.
Use the occasion of your marathon finishes to earn your “finisher entitlements” mantle with pride. You’re in great company!
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