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Chicago Marathon makes up one of the six events that form the Abbott World Majors series. Run all six and you enter the world majors club and receive a medal and pin in recognition.

Chicago Marathon 2022 was held in early October. Being Autumn, weather conditions can be a little unstable. The days prior saw people rugged up in coats, beanies and carrying umbrellas when required. Race day presented mild conditions, clear sky and a hot sun. Known as the “Windy City”, I was personally thankful that it wasn’t blowing a gale!

The course conveniently starts and finishes from Grant Park which is near Millennium park and within easy walking distance
from most hotels.

Wave 1 starts at 07:30 and consists of 5 corrals then wave 2 and wave 3. The last wave starting at 08:30. The course is 1 42.2km loop made up of some very very very long straights. It’s a flat course with only a couple of small rises and athletes have a total of six hours and thirty minutes to complete the course.

The nature of the course sees athletes run through and out of the city, then back in, then back out before back in to finish. This of course can disrupt GPS readings on watches due to high rises and many steel bridges. So my advice? Run to feel. Don’t rely on your watch or it could result in running too fast and hard at the start and blowing up in the back end. A large portion of this course is on concrete. So much so, that the asphalt we did run on provided welcome respite. So perhaps something for some to consider with regards to footwear etc.

When the Chicago marathon first began in 1977 the entry cost was USD 10, it is now USD 240. Marathon culture has evolved though and the winners each received USD 100,000. My husband has informed me that I should have won it! No problems I shall work on that! The entry gets you a finishers medal and a T-shirt. Though it isn’t a finishers T-shirt. Items with the word “finisher” on it need to be purchased. Don’t get me started on that!

There is a 5km event the day before which can be treated as a shake out trot for marathon runners, or is a great way for family and friends to get involved.

Getting an entry into this event, like all majors can be challenging. You can qualify with a good for age time, get drawn from the ballot, run for a charity or go through one of the many growing travelling companies that specialise in participating in sporting events like these.

There is an expo which is out of the CBD at McCormick Place exhibition hall. Three train stops away at a cost of USD2 gets you there quick. Security checks to enter and it’s then a pretty standard expo. Merchandise, other stalls all selling various running related items. Free bars and drinks and all manner of things are offered throughout also. The expos at these large events are pretty exceptional.

The events of late have changed in how they do things in terms of freebies. They promote recycling and not taking stuff if you don’t need it. This event gave athletes the option to fill their own finishers bag. Select what fruit, bars etc. you want and they give you a bag at the end. I didn’t want any of it. So bypassed it all.

It was a one way system at the end which ended at the family reuniting section. Where families stand under the letter of their surname. So pretty easy to find one another.

This year, Chicago 2022 earned me my sixth and final Abbott World Majors Star.

Event profile: Bonnie Davies

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Held in Late September, this marathon runs through the streets of Berlin, lined with wonderful supporters and some very talented musicians, many very very young. Dogs also. In Europe, dogs are family. You go out, they go with you. I love this and because of this type of socialisation, the dogs love being there too. The trees are starting to turn with leaves beginning to brown and fall, yet mild enough to walk about in light clothing.

The course doesn’t back track, flows beautifully around the city and surrounds and is flat. I can only recall one very ever so slight rise. There were also no boring bits. None. Maybe I missed them as I was occupying myself by counting dogs. But I did not become aware of any boring bits.

Pacers are provided but honestly with so many people, don’t stress if you can’t get near them. Over that distance it all works itself out eventually. But it’s the NET time you want. Run your race, I’ve never used a pacer, though I’ve been one so I know they serve a purpose to many but in these events with so many people. Go in with a plan, stick to that plan and have a plan B if plan A goes awry.

The expo is held out at an old airport called Tempelhofer. It ceased operation in 2008, and still has all the bag carousels and checkin desks. I didn’t recognise any of the airlines though. The actual expo is down stairs where some old aircraft are parked and incorporates a food market too. It was quite a nice welcoming, pleasant and well organised environment.

The expo was a one way pedestrian traffic system which worked for avoiding congestion and keeping the large number of people moving. Tempelhofer is a little far for a tapering marathon runner to walk to, so the tube, underground, subway or whatever you want to call it is the best way to do it. Transport is free for runners and get off at the station TWO stops before the Tempelhofer station. Otherwise it will take you to the other side of the airport which is now used as recreational grounds and will have you walking across the entire airfield. I did not do this but I spoke to someone who did.

The start and finish precinct of the marathon is conveniently located together in the same spot! Brandenburger Gate. The start time is 0915 for corrals A,B,C and D which is quite a nice start time, while corrals E,F,G and H start later with the latest start about 1030.

The tube, has a station right there at Brandenburger Gate; So it is definitely the easiest way to travel. Upon leaving the station it is literally a 2 min walk where one says their goodbyes to loved ones and embarks on the start of the marathon journey.

Toilets. Yep, we are going there.

1. Shop around, there are plenty. Don’t get stuck in slow moving queues.
2. Wear a mask, evident when I hear the person in the toilet next to me gagging and retching at the smell, only to exit a few moments later in a rather uncontrolled and desperate nature gasping for air.
3. Make sure you’ve done your business before 0845 if starting in the first 4 waves as the start is about a 15 min walk from the athletes village.

Charities collect old clothes and Berlin prides itself on being environmentally friendly. If you don’t need a foil blanket, don’t take it, if you do, they have drop of places where they can be recycled later.

You also have the choice of bag check or poncho. Now New York is definitely a poncho, because it’s a quicker exit. Berlin? Definitely 100% without doubt a checked bag. It’s so organised and is right next to the ponchos. The ponchos flap about and don’t stay done up and are quite frankly a pain. You get a goody bag with water and snacks which is quite generous. Upon exiting many enjoy a beer and picnic in nearby parks others head straight for the tube, personally I’m an advocate of moving. Let the muscles relax, adapt to slower movement and let them settle. So if feeling good, walk. There are some great little markets about and with the city so quiet it’s an opportunity to get some lovely photos of places that would normally be quite busy.

Berlin Marathon is part of the Abbott World Majors series. It is therefore quite expensive to enter. You can at the time at entry just pay for your entry fee, or pay for add-ons including a finishers T-shirt (yes it’s not given to you), jacket, timing chips and various other bits.

The finishers medal always has a famous or well known marathon runner on one side. This year it was Eliud Kipchog. Who just happened to running with us, won it and broke the record! So pretty chuffed with this medal.

Entry can be obtained by running travel companies like traveling Fit, running for charities, qualifying (Berlin is a tough one) and through a ballot system. I was fortunate enough to get accepted through the ballot.

Event profile: Bonnie Davies

• Website: https://www.nyrr.org/races/2019tcsnewyorkcitymarathon 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nycmarathon/

Event profile: Bonnie Davies

 

The Tokyo Marathon held on the first weekend of Spring attracts over 40,000 runners from all over the world. Tokyo is one of the six Abbott marathon majors and sees runners of all abilities chasing their six stars in pursuit of the six star majors medal. Consequently Tokyo like the other marathon majors is difficult to enter. There are four ways to obtain an entry. The first is to qualify, the second is to enter the ballot, third is to run with a charity and finally travel with a dedicated agent specializing in running events.

Travelling Fit based in Australia offer packages to all major events including Tokyo with a range of options to suit all budgets starting at $2800.00 which includes accommodation at the Keio Plaza Hotel. Unlike other events a jacket is available; but only upon purchase of a premium package purchased through an agent and not able to be purchased at the expo which left many people including qualifiers disappointed. Tokyo is the only marathon to do this. The limited addition Marathon jacket however is fabulous and I would strongly suggest purchasing a premium package for this reason. It also gives you a very spacious room and access to the club lounge where breakfast, afternoon tea and evening canapés including bar can be enjoyed.

A 3.5km fun friendship run is held the day prior near the diver city shopping centre, the worlds largest Ferris wheel and expo. Pacers ensure the run is purely fun with no one allowed to pass the pacers at the front of each start group. It does make for a nice day out with much to do in the one area. The friendship run is perfect for those travelling with family and supporters not running the marathon. It gives them an opportunity to participate in an overseas event and all participants are given a special bandana to wear. Many people dress up as characters or in clothing representing the country they come from. I decided to fly the flag for rhinos and ran as Rupert the Rhino. Transportation to and from the friendship run is at the runners expense and tickets cost approximately $2.00 each way from Shinjuku to the Tokyo Teleport Station.

The expo was outside and housed in large temporary pavilions. Photo ID is required, along with documentation sent to runners. All runners are fitted with a wrist band that is not to be removed. No band, no run. You then have a photo taken and number issued. This is all to prevent people copying numbers and running illegitimately. The expo has many exhibitors, however the downside is not being able to speak or read the language in some cases. It was hard to recognize what was free, what was not and what stuff was (**note the location of the friendship run and expo has changed in previous years).

The day of the marathon also has a 10km event that commences at the same time. This event however is only for local runners and not international visitors. The 10km course follows the marathon route until it peels off at 9.5km for their finish.

Starting at the metropolitan government building in Shinjuku, it is close to all major hotels, with the Keio Plaza, Hilton and Hyatt hotels being the closest. Baggage drop closes at 0830 and all runners are required to be in their designated corrals by 0845. As frustrating as it is, allow plenty of time as the lines for the toilets are long and slow with many forced to abort their attempts. If you are not in your corral by 0845 you will be turned away.

Security scan your wrist band upon entry into the zone, search gear bags and prevent the carriage of food, liquids and sharps into the start zone, so leave your humble banana behind. Food is offered once clear of security. Any clothing worn into the start you wish to discard is collected for charities and volunteers are present with garbage bags to collect gel packets.

Japan is a very clean, respectful and modest country and the marathon is no different. There are very few garbage bins on the streets as in almost zero. People carry rubbish with them and dispose of it appropriately when they can. Which in a city of 13 million people is actually a beautiful thing. The streets are immaculate! The marathon is kept just as clean with volunteers lining the course approximately 50m apart (if not closer) on both sides of the course with garbage bags. These guys kindly collected gel packets so littering would not a problem either during or after the event. The challenge is running, aiming and throwing one’s gel packet into the held garbage bag successfully. Many runners including myself made the effort to run to the side to deposit gel packets respectfully. The presence of spectators along the course was constant and cheers of support were plentiful. It was however once again respectful and polite with no loud tooting things, whistles and other noisy items which made it quite pleasurable for such a big event.

The 2019 event was wet, very wet. It was also cold with the temperature dropping during the run. Wind was negligible until the last 6km when it became a head wind. Again nothing too strong but noticeable as runners approached the finish weary, wet and cold. The course takes you through many popular areas of Tokyo including Ginza, Shinjuku, Sky tree, Sensoji temple, Tokyo tower and finishes outside the impressive Tokyo Station; however this years event was tough with weather conditions and it became a “head down get it done” marathon.

The course has both kilometer and mile markers with the addition of 4,3,2 and 1 km to go as the finish becomes real. Drink stations were located approximately every 3.5-4km. Some offered only water but most offered both water and the electrolyte Pocari Sweat a Japanese brand. There were 2 food stations offering bananas, gels and bread; and two wet sponge stations which weren’t really required this year. Toilets in the form of portaloos were plentiful along the course with a sign indicating at each pit stop point how many km it would be to the next one. Some toilets were a good 100m off the course while others right next to it with a run chute too and from. The stop at 15km was probably the best one on the course for this reason.

The first 5 km of the course has a slight decline and from then on is largely flat apart from the region of 20-25km where there are very slight undulations in the form of small bridges. The undulations are negligible but to the savvy runner they can be advantageous or a hazard for those battling cramps.

Upon completion you follow a designated path according to your bib colour. During this walk which is approximately 1.5km in length you collect water, finishers towel, medal, food and emergency blanket. The journey ends at the bag collection which is inside a designated building for you bib colour. Luggage is all coded for quick identification and location and the area over staffed with volunteers eager to help weary runners which is brilliant. Change rooms follow providing welcome respite to runners needing to remove wet clothes. Hypothermia in the 2019 event was a real concern especially given the length runner had to walk in the cold and wet. However in better conditions, a walk like this offers runners a mandatory cool down and helps reduce soreness and stiff limbs in following days.

Shortly after exiting change rooms; free acupuncture is offered before runners proceed to the family meeting area upstairs (there are escalators); and into the arms of loved ones. Staff are again everywhere and direction for both family and runners to waiting shuttle busses are plentiful. Busses return to a variety of places around Tokyo with the one to Shinjuku stopping right outside the Keio Plaza hotel. Tokyo Station is also close and offers many overground and underground transport options. A travel card providing free travel on the day of the marathon is included as part of your run pack collected at the expo but does not include the bullet train.

The Tokyo marathon is highly organized and volunteers that speak English wear labels for easy identification. Around the city during your travels many people speak limited English but everyone is very friendly, obliging and patient and they absolutely love it when you attempt to speak Japanese.

Athletes do have the option of attending a three hour after party in the evening with traditional Japanese food, entertainment and presentations of an additional gift to those obtaining their sixth star. Busses return to hotels from this event at 2100. This is a brilliant opportunity for those only in Japan for a short time to experience many traditional Japanese foods and cultural entertainment. After parties are not held upon the conclusion of the other five marathon majors and Abbott do not do special presentations to their Abbott medal recipients at other major marathons and for this reason unless things change I would highly recommend that those pursuing this goal to make Tokyo their sixth and final marathon of the majors. At the 2019 event my marathon hero presented the additional Abbott majors gift and I was lucky enough to speak with her. The Tokyo marathon was extra special for me because I got the opportunity to run with, speak with, thank and have a photo with Deena Kastor the American Woman’s Marathon record holder.

Tokyo is a brilliant and incredibly safe city and it makes for a wonderful trip away either alone or with family .There are many day trip options from Tokyo including Mount Fuji, snow monkeys and Kyoto can also be done in a day. Cherry blossoms are starting to bloom with some early blooms visible around the city; though the actual season isn’t until late March and into April, those wanting to see Cherry Blossom (Sakura) will not be disappointed and we saw many. Seeing Sumo wrestling is difficult in March as many training venues stop visitors watching practice due to upcoming tournament preparation.

Food in Japan, is fresh, plentiful and eating Japanese food is highly recommended. If wanting a more traditional pasta meal before the marathon, there are also plenty of options in the Italian department.

Overall I can highly recommend the Tokyo marathon. The rain not so much but these things happen. My biggest regret is not leaving Tokyo until my last marathon due to the fabulous after party and not having longer away so I could explore and experience more of Japan as a whole.

• Website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokyo42195.org/?ref=br_rs

Event profile: Bonnie Davies

In the footsteps of Pheidippides …

How many of us can now boast having run a marathon – or many marathons – and yet only have a sketchy concept of the genesis and history of the challenging 42.195-kilometre event?

Well, until last month, I, for one, would have raised my hand. That’s why I decided to go back to where it all began and tackle the authentic Athens Marathon in Greece on 11 November – Remembrance Day.

And for so many reasons it was one to remember, not least because I – quite literally – found myself running through history.

The event derives its name from the legend of Pheidippides, the Athenian soldier-messenger who, it is said, was sent from the battlefield of Marathon in August or September 490 BC, to Athens, to announce that the Persians had been defeated.

Legend has it that Pheidippides ran the entire distance – 42.195 kilometres – in full battle gear without stopping and burst into the Assembly, exclaiming “We have won!”, before promptly dropping dead!  (And to be frank, having run this tough, elevated course in savage heat, I can identify with the poor bloke!  Thankfully, unlike Mr P, I survived to tell the tale!). While there is some debate about the historical accuracy of this account and the route he took, the Pheidippides legend lives on and is so strongly woven into today’s marathon event that some masochist locals choose to emulate him by running the 42-and-a-bit clicks in full battle armour – and barefoot to boot!

But treading in the footsteps of the heroic Pheidippides is just one of the historical highlights of the Athens Marathon. The Greek capital is also the birthplace of both the ancient and modern Olympic Games.  The course marathoners follow today is the authentic ‘Classic Olympic Course’ – the very same that participants ran in the first contemporary Olympics of 1896 and again when Athens hosted the Games in 2004.

The course follows a linear, sometimes hilly, route from the town of Marathon, a well-known summer resort today, to finish in the centre of Athens in the spectacular Panathenaic Stadium, which for many centuries hosted games in which exclusively male athletes competed in track events – in the nude.

Shortly after 9.00am on 11 November, as I bunch up in my zone with a staggering 20,000 other marathon participants ahead of, and behind, me for a ‘wave start’, the thought does cross my mind that stripping off and running ‘starkers’ on what promises to be a blistering hot day, might not be such a bad thing! I’ve already been up since 4.00am to give myself time to go through my usual pre-race preparations; eat my preferred breakfast with ample digestion time and hop on one of the dedicated athletes’ coaches travelling from Athens city centre to the start line. The start precinct is congested and humming when I arrive and although there are participants from all over the world, the overall impression is a sea of cobalt blue and white – the Greek national colours.

The time I have up my sleeve before the start is all-too-quickly-for-my-liking eroded in the long queues for the portable toilets (though many runners – males and females alike – opt to disappear into nature’s ‘dunnies’ in the surrounding vegetation). By electing to keep my modesty and dignity, I don’t have that much time spare to divest myself of my throwaway layer (it was still cool at 4.00am!) and fight my way through the masses to my zone. I barely settle before our wave is called forward to cross the start mat at around 9.15am – the serious elites having got underway at 9.00am on the dot and (based on previous best marathon times) everyone else commencing every two to three minutes after that, with the last heading out shortly after 9.30am.

The huge historical significance is not lost on me as we run out in front of the ancient Marathon Stadium for the first two kilometres before pounding through the Tymvos area for the next four.  Here, we run around the monument and sacred archaeological site of the Marathon Tomb, where the heroic Athenian soldiers who died during the famed battle are entombed.

The first 10 kilometres to the Nea Makri district are an easy start – almost flat and very comfortable to run – and it’s impossible not to feel euphoric as hundreds of locals line the course to applaud runners, shout ‘bravo!’ and hand out traditional olive branches. But it’s a danger to become complacent because as early as 11 kilometres, things suddenly get a whole lot harder, especially as the sun has some real kick in it already and my feet begin to feel as if I’m running on hot coals as we all tumble through the Rafina district, crossroad to the beach and harbour. By now, I’m supremely grateful for the full bottles of water (the contents of which I pour over me, as much as into me), as well as something I haven’t come across before – soaking wet sponges!

In all, there are 15 support stations along the course, from the fifth to the 40th kilometre.  The bottled water is offered at the start and finish, as well as every 2.5 kilometres after the five-kilometre mark.  Those life-saving sponges appear at the 7.5-kilometre aid station and at every second one beyond that, through to the 37.5-kilometre mark. On top of that, isotonic drinks are available at the 10-kilometre aid station and at every second station afterwards, through to 40 kilometres.  The 30-kilometre and 35-kilometre points offer Coca Cola, as well as the usual runners’ fodder of bananas and power bars.  However, there were some interesting additions I hadn’t come across before in a road race – dark chocolate and salty crackers!

There is a poignant moment too in the first half of the race, which serves to distract from our own more minor woes as we pass through an expansive area of utter devastation from the September wild fires that started during the heat-wave of the European summer just past. The Greek fires claimed the lives of almost 100 residents and were the second deadliest in the 21st century, pipped only by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that saw 180 deaths here in Australia.

The half-way mark of the marathon is in the centre of the Pikermi district and it is about here that I begin to note a significant number of runners slowing to a walk or even dropping out completely and requiring medical attention by the side of the road. I keep running, though my earlier pace is steadily slowing as the course becomes more challenging.  However, the hundreds of cheering spectators gathered at Pallini – at almost 28 kilometres – provide a much-needed mental stimulus as we pass through one of the most difficult sections, complete with a gruelling hill climb that seems to grind on and on and on …

Stavros is at the dreaded, traditional 32-kilometre ‘wall’, but, thankfully, I know that this is the highest point of the course.  I take stock, glad that the worst is behind me.  I now have just 11 kilometres to go, and I take some confidence understanding that it’s all downhill and flat stages into the heart of Athens. Closer in, bigger and deeper crowds are gathered to spur us on, including more than 1,000 children who have only just completed their own race nearby, barely minutes prior.

Kilometre 37 sees the iconic Katehaki Bridge, famed for its architectural design, but as I cross it, I must admit that bridge features are the last thing on my mind.  The heat seems to have ratcheted up even more.  It’s draining and it’s taking a toll on me and plenty of other runners.  At this point, I just want the race to be over; to get to the finish line and claim my medal. From kilometre 40, I barely register the city landmarks that I know are there, but which seem lost in a dehydrated blur – the Athens Music Hall; the Freedom Park; the huge Hilton Hotel and the Runner Statue, made of glass.  The latter seems quite appropriate, as my legs are now feeling as equally fragile and on the verge of shattering!

As I do sight the Greek presidential residence and we run down Irodou Attikou Street, one of the most beautiful thoroughfares of Athens, I know I’m just a whisker away from getting this done, and somehow manage to crank up my ebbing pace again, revved by the huge crowds and loud and energetic bands stationed outside the National Garden and the building that is the seat of the Greek Government.

And then – out of nowhere – there’s the Panathenaic Stadium!

My first thought is that the Greeks are not biased in their proud description of it being the most beautiful (as well as historical) stadium in the world.  I am at first transfixed, as I see its elaborate white marble glinting in the bright sunshine, but then rapidly pull myself together.  It’s not yet over! There are a few hundred metres to run on the track in the stadium to the finish line and it’s made even more memorable by the accompaniment of the unmistakable ‘Zorba the Greek’, played by a full orchestra!

I can’t see too many other athletes in a fit enough state to start ‘doing the Zorba’, and I’m certainly not, but collecting my distinctive marathon medal will do just nicely.  It’s been quite the experience, running in the footsteps of the legendary Mr P!

The Big Five Marathon at Entabeni Game Reserve (South Africa) is an annual event held at the end of June during the Winter.

Despite being Winter, the temperatures often reach mid 20s Celsius, while temperatures plummet during the evening.

The event is managed by Albatros Adventure Marathons and can be booked direct through them or through agencies like Travelling Fit. Because of the nature of the event and accommodation limitations within the reserve the event must be booked as part of a package and can be modified to incorporate additional travel to suit the individual. Rates are dependent upon the accommodation type selected but start at approximately $3600 pp twin share including race entry, T-shirt, 5 nights accommodation, coach transfers to and from O R Tambo airport, three game drives with the option of purchasing extra and all meals.

Entabeni which in Zulu means place of mountains is located 268km to the NW of Johannesburg and takes approximately 4 hours to drive. Guides holding Marathon signs meet runners at the airport arrivals hall and a large modern coach transports athletes to the Entabeni game reserve. Johannesburg is not a safe city and pre organised transfers are highly recommended. Our flight did not connect with transfers so we had to fly in two days early and stayed at the Holiday Inn Johannesburg Airport Hotel which provides free and safe transfers to and from O R Tambo airport.

Upon arrival to the reserve the coach is met by several off road safari vehicles. The terrain is not suitable for the coach and all runners must swap onto the safari vehicles. Luggage is handled by the guides who drop the bags off at the various lodges. Guests are greeted by multiple animals and welcomed to each of the lodges with a buffet lunch filled with an array of fresh good quality food.

Safari’s are included in the package and the guides do a wonderful job ensuring runners see a wide variety of flora and fauna throughout their stay. The reserve is filled with a variety of animals but unfortunately has not been lucky enough to avoid being a victim of poaching crimes.

The Big Five event includes both a half and full marathon and a route inspection of the respective courses takes place the day before. This is so valuable as it gives runners 24 hours to consider aspects of the course and tweak plans. It also provides another opportunity to see all the wonderful animals. The course is marked thoroughly with colour coded arrows for the respective distances and kilometre markings. Following the route inspection marathon runners do have the opportunity to change to the half marathon distance, purchase merchandise and collect race numbers.

The run is dictated heavily by the resident fauna. The 2018 event was due to start at 0900 but started at 0930 due to slow moving elephants on the course. Additionally, we were warned that signs and km markers do disappear at times, as happened to the 37km marker. Starting at Lakeside Lodge which is the biggest of the  lodges in the reserve and sits at an elevation of approximately 1167M. The course winds around the upper escarpment and out to the highest point of the course sitting at 1702M. Runners numbers are recorded here to ensure all pass this point.

The course does consist of several hills the steepest of which has a 42% gradient. It is not possible to run up it. Running down also requires good knowledge of appropriate technique to avoid injury and to scoot down nice and effectively. This hill starts at the 14km mark, is 3.2km long and takes runners down into the lower escarpment and lion territory. Thick, soft, deep and heavy sand awaits runners at the bottom heavily impacting speed and efficiency. Present for much of the 8km loop in this area I was pleased I made a last minute decision to make my own home made gaiters. It meant I could plough through without worrying about the discomfort of sand in my shoes. I would highly recommend short gaiters for anyone running this event.

Armed guides line the course and the pride of lions were closely monitored to ensure the runners were not in danger.

Running in the Big Five does present risks and runners were informed at the start “anything that runs in Africa is food”. There are stretches of the course where runners can find themselves alone. So being aware of the surroundings is important and if a guide does yell “stop”, runners must stop. I personally spent a considerable part of the run alone and had a little fright. Singing at the top of ones lungs while trotting along seemed to do the trick and saw me safely to the end.

Upon completion of the lower escarpment, runners are given a wrist band. No wrist band at the finish means disqualification. It’s then back up the hill. Despite being extremely steep. It was in the shade and offered respite from the hot high sun that reflected off the sand in the lower escarpment. Walking up with purpose seemed to do the job but beware of cramps at the top, which brought many undone. With 14 kms to go after ascending “the hill” it proved to be the hardest part of the marathon. Muscular cramps troubled most runners making the final third the slowest and most fatiguing.

This final part of the journey winds back through a small valley and finishes back at Lakeside lodge. It is quite undulating and very rocky in parts which can quickly bring a cramping runner to a halt.

The finish is filled with positivity, music and every single finisher is announced including the country they represent.

Hydration stations are located approximately every 5km and offer water coke and wet sponges. Two on course offer additional electrolytes. I ran with my hydration vest and found this better as I needed electrolytes more frequently as cramping began.

Beer and water are offered at the finish along with a buffet lunch. A pool is also close by to assist with cramping muscles and massage therapists provide 15 minute massages for a small charge. All finishers receive a finishers medal.

Trophies are awarded to the first three male and female place getters in each event.

Not accustomed to running at altitude, the first 5km was pretty tough until I settled. Breathing heavy it felt like I couldn’t get enough oxygen into my lungs. Also not a trail runner. This event provided a whole new learning opportunity. I did some preparation on trails and sought advice to better assist me technically which definitely paid off.

As a whole I highly recommend the event as a brilliant bucket list opportunity. It is well organised, and the topography outstanding. To run in the African Savannah is mind blowing. However, I also recommend being prepared.

Although I thought about the heat and took on extra electrolytes, it wasn’t enough taken at the right time. I crossed the line screaming as each of my muscles on my calves and quads contracted hard and painfully forcing my feet to rotate. I had no control over them and upon stopping could no longer move. I just screamed. I was picked up and put in the pool. Muscles contracting outside of your control is about as painful as it gets.

So once again this marathon provided yet another learning opportunity and a chance to evolve again in the sport of marathon running.

Written by: Bonnie Davies

• Website: https://big-five-marathon.com/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bigfivemarathon/

As the name suggests the Boston marathon is held in Boston (Massachusetts, USA) on the 3rd Monday in April which is a public holiday for Patriots Day. Anyone running in Boston has earned their place there by running a time better than the qualifying standard for their age in a specific qualifying marathon. Qualifying unfortunately does not guarantee entry with the sheer number of qualifiers; hence a time faster than the qualifying time specified is often required.

It is one of the biggest weekends in Boston and ‘Marathon Monday’ is celebrated and embraced by runners, spectators and locals. Banners line the streets and airport signs welcome runners. Boston really is a runners paradise and it was not unusual to see recreational runners pounding the pavement at all times of the day.

The weekend represents all things running as the city fills with runners from all around the globe. All displaying the familiar marathon camaraderie that marathon runners know so well. Beginning with the expo, this is held in the exhibition center down in the seaport region. It operates Friday through to Saturday. Thoroughly organised and guarded by tight security, one of the unfortunate aspects following the 2013 bombing. Collecting numbers is a seamless process and well staffed with volunteers minimising queuing time. The expo was lavish and well equipped with a large collection of exhibitors handing out endless amounts of free merchandise and selling their wears. Not as large as London, but more than sufficient and one can easily lose themselves for at least an hour wandering around.

The Saturday provides an opportunity for marathon runners and families to participate in a 5km event. Some use it as a last shake out, others watch their non marathon family members participate in their own run. 10000 runners gathers plus wheelchair participants and is really an exciting start to the day. The event starts at 0800 and bibs are collected on the day. All participants receive a medal and t-shirt. Registration opens a few months prior, online on the Boston Marathon website.

A carb loading dinner is available for those interested on the Sunday night at the town hall with an entry voucher provided with race bibs.

Marathon Monday begins at Boston Common. A beautiful centrally located park. Depending upon the qualifying time, numbers issued are colour coded and contain wave and corral numbers. Boston Common is filled with rows and rows of yellow old fashioned American school busses. Depending upon bib colour depends upon your scheduled bus boarding time which is designed to minimise time spent waiting at the start. No gear bags are allowed on the busses and gear can be dropped at the finish line on Boylston st prior to heading to Boston Common. Runners are provided with a small clear plastic bag in which to carry snacks and small items they require to the start. Security protect this area and no other bags are permitted beyond the check point and family also have to say their goodbyes here.

The journey to the start line at Hopkington takes a little under an hour. Delivered to the “athletes village” a school oval lined with portable toilets called “portajohns”. Toilet facilities are plentiful to avoid long queues and a large tent provides water and Gatorade to those requiring it. Several volunteers coordinate the start area and all extra clothing discarded at the start is collected and given to charity.

The start is a few minutes walk from the village and each wave in each colour is called through and further seeded into their respective corrals. Plenty of time is allowed for this.

The marathon itself starts with a downhill section and continues to pass by lakes, countryside and smaller townships which increase in size as Boston gets closer. Crowds line the streets and blow every conceivable noisy thing one can imagine. Drink stations are about every 2km, are accessible on both sides of the road and two gel stations are also available.

It’s a traditional road surface and the course undulating. It’s a perfect course for Tasmanian runners. Heart Break hill was slightly comparable to the Tasman Bridge in elevation gained but not as steep offering respite from the flat parts for those that enjoy hills. Approaching the finish the course passes by Fenway Park and turns into Boylston Street. A long straight follows with the finish in clear view getting closer and closer. Spectators scream and it becomes somewhat fuzzy and dull as the fatigue and emotion of the achievement takes its toll. Across the line reality comes flooding back and ears fill with the sounds of cheers and tooting things. Volunteers continue to organise the finish like a well oiled machine, handing out medals, medical assistance, directions and various other items runners gather.

My experience; I qualified in Sydney 2016 which is the first marathon of the qualifying year. I qualified and unlike the year prior was accepted. It was the hardest marathon I have ever run with the 2018 marathon delivering some of the harshest conditions on record. Starting in 3°C temperature with driving monotonous torrential rain, thunder, lightening and a relentless headwind to add a little extra entertainment. It has gone down as one of the most historical Boston Marathons with the worst weather on record.

Traveling to the start in the school bus convoy was passed snow dusted on the nearby ground and rain fell hard. I learned even more about myself and about marathon running in general in this event. Marathon running is serious stuff and you honestly have to be prepared for anything and train in all weather. Thankfully I do. I was happy with my chosen running attire which was far from normal, but it got me safely to the end. Finishing in 0°C with additional wind chill, I did succumb to hypothermia with many others at the end and feel for the many that didn’t finish for the same reasons. The spectators came out and put on a show despite the weather. Boston was brutal and although I questioned during the run why I was doing this, It was a proud moment crossing the line in TRR gear and having my name called out along with “from Tasmania Australia”. Stopping was my downfall along with many others. In hindsight I should have kept running, grabbed my medal and trotted all the way back to the hotel.

But I didn’t and subsequently stopping saw my body temperature plummet, as I was pummeled with rain and wind that bit so cold. I was one of many that had a first time experience with hypothermia. It progresses to being more than cold, consuming you. Speech suffers, shivering stops and everything starts moving and happening so slowly. The medic tent was at capacity and I had to rely on help outside the facility with thunder and lightening overhead. 12 hours after finishing I was feeling like my old self again.

None of this was an exaggeration it has been told exactly as it happened. I am still completely astounded at what the 2018 marathon delivered. It honestly had everything but a tornado! The verdict? I am happy and proud to have qualified, been accepted and run Boston but also to survive!

Written by: Bonnie Davies

• Website: http://www.baa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonMarathon/

 

Finishing off an overseas holiday with a race probably isn’t every traveller’s cup of tea but for a runner, finding a quite large local race held the day before leaving home, it’s a no-brainer to do it. In an ideal world the race would’ve been early in the holiday, but even knowing it’d be on the back of a few weeks of not doing a whole lot, seemed to good an opportunity and experience to pass up.

Arriving in Iceland earlier in the week, one of the first noticeable things was the smell of the hot water – being geothermally heated it has a strong odour caused by its sulphur content. It initially makes you wonder if you’re actually better off not showering, though a bit over 24hrs later I’ve successfully managed to disprove this theory to myself.

Like many major city races there’s an Expo for a couple of days prior for race number collection & free t-shirt pickup – for a small major city (population approx. same as Hobart) there’s a surprisingly large number of stalls there. Fortunately there’s a couple of brands of gels that I’m familiar with that I grab to use for brekky on race day, there’s also a disproportionate number of stalls offering free samples of electrolyte powders and by the time I realise that nearly all of them contain caffeine I’m buzzing and near-dizzy by the time I leave.

The accommodation is (by fluke) 2-2.5k from the start area which is close to an ideal warm up jog away making the pre-race logistics a bit easier. Not that Reykjavik is all that difficult to get around, but after missing a turn off and getting lost on a jog earlier in the week (turning a planned half hour into 65 minutes) I’ve made 100% sure I’m heading to the right spot!

On getting to the start area, there are plenty of portaloos around the start area with short queues. This is good. However, unlike in Australia, these facilities have no flushing mechanism and under the lid is simply disinfected water and you-know-what. This is… not so good.

Heading to the starting precinct after the customary stretch & strides, the narrowish street is quite crowded with both runners and spectators whilst a rather excitable bloke with a microphone begins yelling instructions to ‘clear the road, runners only please’ and ‘choose your correct start area, we don’t want any collisions!’ I assume the same is yelled out in Icelandic afterwards, not that I understand a word of it.

Whilst as noted above, there are designated start areas based on predicted finish times, there is no specific priority starting area as such with the good old honesty system in place for runners to self-seed. A few minutes later no-one seems to get trampled in the first few hundred metres so I guess most people got it pretty right.

As race time draws closer (there is a rather odd starting time of 0935) rather than the usual nerves I actually feel pretty good and can’t help smiling – probably something to do with not having raced for a while and not having any real pressure or expectations going into it. Weather conditions are close to perfect with clear skies and a temperature of around 10-12C, though later on there’s some breezy headwinds as the course goes along the coastline. The 10km course is a single 10km loop starting and finishing in the CBD area of Reykjavik – different to many of the Australian races which most often seem to be out and back.

The first km starts with a fast flat section before a slight rise as the course veers through the streets towards the coastline. Figuring that a best case scenario would result in a finish of 35-36mins, I pass the 1km mark feeling fantastic in 3:30 but unfortunately there’s still 9km left at this point and shortly afterwards the adrenaline drops off and the reality of detraining, lost fitness, and a tad too much food and beer over the last few weeks kicks in. Having no choice but to slow down, I dial back the effort & enjoy the experience and atmosphere (of which there is plenty) – for much of the course the streets are lined with spectators with music also blaring in a few places making the time seem to go by rather quickly. Manage to finish 26^th in 38:32 – not the best case scenario I’d hoped for but all things considered had a great day out! Race entry includes free use of any of Reykjavik’s thermal pools afterwards which is a nice little bonus – helps to get in early though with nearly 10,000 participants getting a free pass!

The race is tied in with Reykjavik’s ‘Culture Night’, a huge and largely free city-wide event where it seems nearly all of Iceland’s population turns up to the city – the entire city is blocked to traffic and filled with people for the entire day. Even with the cultural festivities afterwards and all that’s good about the event, this is perhaps not an overseas race to put on the bucket list for its own sake – there’s plenty of faster/bigger/more prestigious races to choose from. From talking to others afterwards, the half marathon and marathon courses are more prone to being affected by winds as they follow the coastal paths for much greater distances. Iceland too, is an extraordinary country once you’re out of the Reykjavik area, so don’t go there purely for the race! If you’re in Scandinavia or nearby at this time of year and want an event to do, add it in with a few days of touring around Iceland and you’ll have a blast.

Race website – http://www.marathon.is/reykjavik-marathon

GPS of the race – https://www.strava.com/activities/1140988582

Written by: Daniel Clarke

Falling in Love with Paris Marathon

Paris is known as the ‘City of Love’ and I certainly fell deeply in love there in April this year – with the French capital’s marathon, that is.

The 41st Schneider Electric Paris Marathon – one of the biggest in the world – was held on 9 April 2017 and marked number seven in my marathon kit bag (including one ultra) and my second international 41.95 kilometre event, following my debut Virgin Money London Marathon in 2016.

For me, Paris goes down as a favourite; perhaps surprisingly, as, for the first time, the lead up was seriously marred by a debilitating IT Band (ITB) injury which saw me sidelined from serious training for more than a month and hobbling painfully (and tearfully) a short 11 days out from the start gun.

Assuming I could actually run – and that was in serious doubt at several points – I would need to do so very conservatively; while any thoughts of personal records flew off into the ‘Never Never’ as I adjusted to a less ambitious goal of simply crossing the finish line and collecting that precious medal.

But my love affair with the Paris race perhaps blossomed because of that very reason: I could just relax and enjoy the amazing sights and incredible atmosphere of one of the great cities of the world.

How could anyone not fall head-over-heels in love with a race, on the cobblestones of the French capital’s most famous avenues and plazas, that offers at the same time the opportunity to discover up-close-and-personal, such a beautiful city?

London Marathon doubtless has some memorable highpoints – such as running over Tower Bridge; through Greenwich Village; and finishing at Westminster; Buckingham Palace and the Mall – but otherwise tracks modern city roads.

The Paris route trumps London for me, through offering a continuous and incomparable backdrop of spectacular landmarks and vistas.  Think: the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre, Tuileries Gardens, palaces, famous boulevards and the sparkling Seine River, with its many romantic bridges.

Paris Marathon commences at the foot of the imposing Arc de Triomphe, about a third of the way down the elegant Champs Elysées, with high-end boutiques, stores, restaurants and cafes to either side.

With a total of 57,000 others registrants, comprising 74 per cent men and 26 per cent women, and representing some 145 countries, I joined the packed ‘pen’ for those of us aiming for a 3hr:30min finish (the time I had self-seeded pre-injury), with an 8.35am start.

The race has a staggered start spanning more than an hour and a half, allowing for the earliest commencement for wheelchair and elite athletes, to a leisurely first foot strike at a civilised 9.50am for those anticipating a finish in more than four and a half hours.

With the entire country remaining on high security alert following a series of terrorist attacks and incidents over the past two years, I knew the police and military force would be significant on such a big day, but, it seemed subtle, and, thankfully, nothing distracted from the main game of athletes doing what they love.

To stand among the huge number of other runners, on that famous French avenue, on what promised to be a stunning – though unseasonably hot – spring day in Paris; and then to hear my first footfalls on the cobblestones as I started to run, was an indescribable experience.

Add to that, the fact that I was sporting my carefully chosen running outfit, including my green and gold ‘We Run the World’ TRR singlet; green and white cap and temporary tattoos, well, I doubt you would find a more proud marathoner anywhere, anytime!

I was equally delighted when, during the race, at least a handful of other runners – locals, as well as foreigners like me – ran alongside and inquired about Tasmania and my running club, with the French athletes incredulous that I had come so far to see their beautiful city and participate in ‘their’ marathon.

After the spectacular start, runners head slightly downhill towards the expansive Place de la Concorde; then continue to sweep through the historic Place de la Bastille, all-the-while cheered on by growing numbers of a total quarter million spectators lining the course.

It’s then a very pleasant section through the Bois de Vincennes woodland, which, in hindsight, turns out to be a welcome stretch of leafy shade and refreshing coolness before we emerge into the rapidly rising heat of the day.

The Seine River to the left now, barges and tourist vessels plying its glistening waters, provides a happy distraction as I come to the 21 kilometre point and make the usual mental (and physical) adjustment that, after all this effort, I am only half done and still a long way from the infamous Fat Lady striking up a tune!

Some uneven, and therefore challenging, cobblestones from this point require extra attention, but it’s difficult for the eye not to rove to the incredible cityscape views of the Ile de la Cite, Ile St-Louis, the Pont Neuf and dominating Notre Dame.

There is, thankfully, another brief respite from the heat as we plunge into a dark tunnel, which race organisers have thoughtfully decorated in the vein of a spa retreat, complete with ‘Zen’ music, presumably to encourage runners to chill and relax.

However, achieving any form of meditative bliss is completely elusive to me, as I gaze with envy at the swelling number of chic and cheering Parisians now just starting their day with al fresco croissants and espressos at the countless riverside cafes and bistros.

Along with being liberally sprayed with water from the hoses of the Sapeurs-pompiers (French fire fighters) along the route, I find myself looking forward with increasing longing to the ‘fuel’ stations.

Manned by some 3,000 volunteers, I find a veritable French feast of:

• 24 tonnes of bananas;
• 19 tonnes of oranges;
• 7 tonnes of apples;
• 2.2 tonnes of dried fruit and nuts;
• 440,000 sugar cubes;
• 24,000 energy bars;
• 11,000 gels;
• 7,000 litres of energy drink, and
• 560,000 bottles of water!

However, the many thousands of discarded water bottles, on top of slippery orange peels, banana skins, and all that surface water from the fire hoses, introduce a hitherto unanticipated hazard with which to contend!

The trifecta of kilometres 26, 27 and 28 is where the rubber hits the road for me, and the stunning architecture of the Musee d Orsay and the Grand Palais, is now insufficient to divert my mind from the heaviness and tiredness in my legs and a dry and sticky mouth (despite my vigilance in rehydrating at each drink station).

At this point I have an interim goal that I’m putting heavy store in to get me home, and that is to see my darling husband, Dave, at our agreed ‘meeting’ point – the Eiffel Tower, at the 29 kilometre mark.

And there he is! Sporting his custom-made ‘Team Robson Paris Marathon 2017’ T-shirt and holding the inflatable Aussie boxing kangaroo aloft in the sunlight.

He beams from ear to ear, claps and cheers, clearly relieved and delighted that my troublesome ITB injury has not brought me undone.  And our eye contact seems to convey a silent message that I’m going to be alright from here.  I’m going to get this done and bring my medal home.

Others look to be not-so-fortunate . I witness a good many runners begin to slow dramatically, some to a zombie-like shuffle or even to a complete walk.

And, a few more kilometres on, as we enter the parklands of the Bois de Boulogne, things take an even more dramatic turn south for some, as an increasing number of shrill ambulance sirens bear testimony to runners in more serious distress.

But then, more suddenly than I had anticipated, the crowd of onlookers thickens to10-deep and I look up to see the home strait of the long and elegant Avenue Foch and the finish line, with the stand out  Arc de Triomphe that I seem to have left an eternity ago, in the distance.

With another group of euphoric – and some tearful – runners, I finally cross that finish line with my own private mix of elation and deep emotion.

The sweetest moment of all comes as a volunteer hangs that beautiful, golden medal – so perfectly and appropriately set off by its ribbon in the TRR signature green – around my neck.

I collect my finishers’ T-shirt; bottle of refreshing water; and the most delicious, thirst-quenching orange I have eaten in my life, and proceed to make my way through the crowds of other exhausted and limping runners.

I exit the official race finish precinct and my heart soars for the second time that day as I again spot my dear husband and run to him to be swept off my aching feet in what has become our traditional end-of-marathon, twirl-around and bear hug.

Above all else, it is that which I look forward to the most, and that which makes all my training and race pain, so worthwhile.

Then, we are all smiles and stories as Dave takes me, as promised, to a super-stylish cafe in the heart of the still-buzzing Champs Elysées for the much anticipated ice cream dessert, which has been tantalising me like a dangling carrot in my mind from the marathon 10 km mark!

Note: The Salon du Running fair at Porte de Versailles, taking place over three days before Paris Marathon, is also an occasion not to be missed – a gathering of over 80,000 visitors, with more than 200 professionals from the running world.

Event profile: Annie Robson

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Location: Istanbul, Turkey

Events: 10k, 15k, 42.2k

Three weeks after I completed the Berlin Marathon we were in Istanbul and the Eurasia Marathon happened to be on (I don’t think Shelley actually believes this was a coincidence). We’d had a relaxing 3 weeks in Berlin, Majorca, Barcelona, London and then in Southern Turkey. I had pulled up really sore in the calves from Berlin but after a week with no running had loosened up and managed a few training runs in the preceding fortnight.

We managed to get a local bus out to the expo and entries were still available so
I thought I would give it a go. Istanbul is the only city in the world that is across 2 continents. The run started in Asia with the finish outside the Blue Mosque in the old city. It is the only day of the year the bridge across the Bosphorus is open for walking so an estimated 150,000 million people do the 5k fun run with many having a picnic on the bridge on the way.

Given I had run a marathon 3 weeks before I decided to relax and enjoy the sights. Conditions were much nicer than in Berlin. I managed to resist the temptation to go hard when the gun went and enjoyed running across the bridge. The 1^st 5k was still my fastest at 19:04 with the others being 19:40, 20:02, 20:18, 20:17, 20:09, 20:31 and 20:22. It was amazing how much more enjoyable it was not hitting the wall. I had a chat to quite a few local runners and really did take in the sights, of which there were many including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, as the course went through a lot of the old part of the city and was mostly beside the sea. I did come home reasonably hard and got 18^th out of a bit over 1,000 finishers.

The drink stations contained sugar cubes –  I’m not sure they still do that! The course was flat and very well marked.

Istanbul is a very friendly city with delicious fresh food, helpful locals and a lovely outdoor eating culture. Public transport is modern and easy to use. Staying in the old city, we had no problems getting to and from the expo, start and finish.

For non-marathoners, there is a 15km race which also takes in many of the main sights including the famous Bosphorus crossing from Asia to Europe. Shelley completed the 15km race and thoroughly enjoyed it – the locals were friendly and talkative, the drink stations manned by very enthusiastic volunteers, and the goodie bag almost as good as for the marathon including a ridiculously large medal!

Event profile: Jarrod Shaw

More information:

• Website

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