This book is for my girls, Cassidy, Annabel, and Deidre, and for everyone whos ever laced up their sneakers to hit the asphalt or trail.
ALSO BY THE AUTHOR
Fifty Places to Drink Beer Before You Die
Fifty Places to Camp Before You Die
Fifty Places to Paddle Before You Die
Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die
Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
Fifty More Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
Fifty Places to Ski & Snowboard Before You Die
Fifty Places to Sail Before You Die
Fifty Places to Go Birding Before You Die
Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die
Fifty Places to Hike Before You Die
Fifty Places to Play Golf Before You Die
Fifty More Places to Play Golf Before You Die
Once in a Lifetime Trips
Fifty Favorite Fly-Fishing Tales
Why I Fly Fish
The Hatch Is On!
The Tug Is the Drug
CAT WARS (with Dr. Peter Marra)
Contents
RECOMMENDED BY COREY BELLEMORE
RECOMMENDED BY BART YASSO
RECOMMENDED BY JIM WALMSLEY
RECOMMENDED BY STEVE MONEGHETTI
RECOMMENDED BY GORD FISHER
RECOMMENDED BY JEN SEGGER
RECOMMENDED BY CHRIS KOSTMAN
RECOMMENDED BY MAIREN HUGHES
RECOMMENDED BY BARRY SPITZ
RECOMMENDED BY CHRIS HOLMES
RECOMMENDED BY TIM TWIETMEYER
RECOMMENDED BY MOSI SMITH
RECOMMENDED BY CLIFF BOSLEY
RECOMMENDED BY REID DELMAN
RECOMMENDED BY KAREN HOCH
RECOMMENDED BY RICK NEALIS
RECOMMENDED BY DAVID BEDFORD
RECOMMENDED BY JOHN CAINE
RECOMMENDED BY BOB BECKER
RECOMMENDED BY MAGDALENA LEWY BOULET
RECOMMENDED BY PASCAL SILVESTRE
RECOMMENDED BY AMANDA KOWALESKI
RECOMMENDED BY THOMAS STEFFENS
RECOMMENDED BY PAUL SAMARAS
RECOMMENDED BY JIM BARAHAL
RECOMMENDED BY PETER SAGAL
RECOMMENDED BY JEREMY WOLF
RECOMMENDED BY ALFRED FRANCIS
RECOMMENDED BY JACQUI KAUFMAN
RECOMMENDED BY ERIC STUART
RECOMMENDED BY THOM GILLIGAN
RECOMMENDED BY CHRIS HARMON
RECOMMENDED BY BRIAN RUSIECKI
RECOMMENDED BY DAVE McGILLIVRAY
RECOMMENDED BY DAVE HENSLEIGH
RECOMMENDED BY RICK COATES
RECOMMENDED BY KATE KUCINSKI
RECOMMENDED BY DAVID SUMMERFIELD
RECOMMENDED BY PETER CIACCIA
RECOMMENDED BY JASON SCHLARB
RECOMMENDED BY CHRISTINA HOWARD
RECOMMENDED BY FELICIA HUBBER
RECOMMENDED BY BILL HOFFMAN
RECOMMENDED BY RUNE NORTOFT
RECOMMENDED BY FROZEN ED FURTAW
RECOMMENDED BY P. CARROLL VOSS AND JAMIE STONE
RECOMMENDED BY DEAN KARNAZES
RECOMMENDED BY JASON JAKSETIC
RECOMMENDED BY BOB GREENOUGH
RECOMMENDED BY DON KARDONG
Dean Karnazes passes a Soviet relief mural in Talas, Kyrgyzstan, as part of his Silk Road sports diplomacy run in 2016.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book would not have been possible without the generous assistance of the runnersmarathoners and trail runners, ultra-runners and harrierswho shared their time and experience to help bring these fifty great running venues to life. To these men and women, I offer the most heartfelt thanks. I also wish to extend thanks to Mark Weinstein at Rodale, who made several important introductions on my behalf... and to my former editor, Jennifer Levesque, for introducing me to Mark! I want to acknowledge the fine efforts of my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan; my editors, Samantha Weiner, Ashley Albert, and David Blatty; designer Anna Christian; and copy editor Anna Dobbin, who all helped bring the book into being.
A special thanks goes out to Dr. Ware Kuschner, who is one of the most dedicated runners I know and a constant inspiration. Finally, I want to express my gratitude to my wife, Deidre, and my daughters, Cassidy and Annabel, for their patience with my peripatetic lifestyle... and to my mother, Tina, and recently departed father, Andy, who always encouraged me to pursue my passions.
FOREWORD
Fifty Places to Run Before You Die has enough gems to keep every runners bags packed and passport handy for a lifetime. Featuring running events on all seven continents, this book will help dedicated runners compile a manageable bucket listfor every taste and budget.
Are you looking to run one of the Abbott World Marathon Majors? Check out the chapters on Boston, Chicago, London, Berlin, or New York. Or perhaps you prefer a classic 10K, such as the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta. How about San Franciscos riotous Bay to Breakers? If you have a more adventurous spirit, check out the Conquer the Wall Marathon in China, the Madagascar Marathon, or the Amazing Maasai Marathon in Kenya. Each event promises to be a memorable or even life-changing experience.
Travel is an integral part of the runners lifestyle. I have met many runners who no longer consider fun-in-the-sun vacations. As type-A personalities, they have upgraded their activity levels to run-for-fun vacations. Some running events even cater to the whole family with simultaneously held races of varying distances. This tome is also perfect for any running club looking to plan a road trip or an overseas adventure.
Whether your goal is to race in every stateor every continentFifty Places to Run Before You Die will not only help you find unforgettable runs in major cities, remote villages, and exotic landscapes; it will help you break through the touristic veneer for an elbow-to-elbow experience with local runners. There is no better way to explore the world than one stride at a time.
Where is your next running destination?
THOM GILLIGAN, CEO AND FOUNDER, MARATHON TOURS & TRAVEL
INTRODUCTION
At various points in my life, Ive tried to take up running... but with a bad back, poor wind, and a few too many pounds, its never quite taken. Yet Ive always been impressed by friends who adhere to a regular running schedule. Its so simple, so primal. And by the looks of them, so healthy! Ive also been intrigued watching some of these friends train up for a special challenge, be it a 10K, a marathon, or something even more ambitious. Do people really run a hundred miles over mountain ranges without sleepand do it in less than twenty-four hours?!
I wrote Fifty Places to Run Before You Die for those who appreciate the challenges running affords... and for the opportunity to share these experiences with fellow runners while seeing a bit of the world.
What makes a destination or event a place to run before you die? you might ask. Is it the chance to run in the footsteps of champion athletes who have come before you? To explore an unfamiliar city or country from the unique vantage points offered by sweeping boulevards or mountain trails? To immerse yourself in the beauty of stunning natural settings while pushing past physical boundaries? Or is it simply the opportunity to surround yourself with thousandsor tens of thousandsof like-minded people? The answer is all of the above, and more. One thing I knew when I began this project: I was not the person to assemble this list. So I followed a recipe that served me well in my thirteen previous Fifty Places booksI sought the advice of dedicated professionals. To write
Next page