Marathon: You Can Do It

It’s yet another month and I checked on some interesting marathons that will be happening this month of July.

Marathons happening across US in July

1. Bad water ultramarathon happening on June 14 - 16

On the official website, this marathon claims to be recognized globally “as the world toughest foot race “Covering 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA, the Badwater Ultramarathon is the most demanding and extreme running race offered anywhere on the planet. This explains why the race has a small field of 90 runners. Running a 42K marathon is hardwork for me I can’t Imagine trying 217K!

Like one former participants told marathon guide website, “Dehydration, sleep deprivation and hallucinations are just some of the highlights you can anticipate.”

If you can’t run you can still take part by following the race through a live webcast on Bad water website 

 2. Grandfather Mountain Marathon Boone July 12

Apart from the unique name, what makes “grandpa marathon” unique is that it brings the old and the young, the rich and not so rich, the famous and not so famous together. All runners share dorm rooms at the local Appalachian state university.

Its held during the grandfather mountain highland games, One of the largest scottish games in America

Visit the official race website for results and information,

3. Kilauea Volcano Wilderness Run Hawaii USA, July 28

Organized by a dude who calls himself Wayne ‘Big Dog’ Joseph.  The Kilauea marathon is held inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. In addition to the marathon, it has a 10 mile run, 5 mile run and for those who cant run a 5 mile walk. All proceeds go towards supporting the volcano art center and local artisans.

One rule for participation is that, “Runners participating in the marathon should have trained on trails or participated in trail running events”

For registration and results visit official race website.

Marathon happening around the world

1. Fairland Valley challenge, Stevenage, UK July 20th

Nothing challenging about this race. Its organised by  fairland valley spartan running club. New members are always welcome at Fairlands Valley Spartans, irrespective of age, ability, form or fitness. The emphasis is on participation, support and fun.

For information, results and registration visit the official race website

 2. Great Tibetan marathon, Leh, ladakh India

The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear of Tibet is Dalai Lama.  If you want to experience buddhism, this is the place. The start of the marathon is blown on long Buddhist horns, instead of the traditional shot by a starting pistol, and all runners are blessed by Buddhist monks, who also serve as helpers along the way.

The date of this spiritual marathon is July 19 2008. Visit the official website at www.great-tibetan-marathon.com

 3. Gold Coast Airport marathon, Queensland, Australia, July 6th 

Most of the course runs alongside the ocean. The sea breeze generally blows across your body. The flat course makes it an ideal race for the first time marathon runner. They also have a half marathon and peoples favourite, a 10k run.

Like one runner commented on marathon guide website, “Expect to see true Aussie characters… drunk, sitting in yard chairs or sofas, and jeering on the runners. It struck me as funny”

For information, results go to the official race website.

If you want a list of more races happening around the world visit marathon guide dot com

When I was in grade school we used to have school sporting day and I remember one of the most popular events was running with an egg in spoon.

I thought the egg competition was a grade school activity but Yesterday CNN sports had a report on World Egg throwing championship held in Lincolnshire UK on June 29th.

Participants from 34 countries  competed in the third annual egg throwing championship. Teams of 11 players can enter the “egg-static relay” and attempt to move 12 eggs 100 metres by throwing them between themselves as they stand along the route.

What makes the sport attractive?

According to the World Egg Throwing Federation website,  their sport is enjoyed by over a million people who are drawn by the delight of watching a failure of another to catch a tossed egg.

Edith Masai is like wine, she seems to get better with time. At 42 she is defying age and competing at the highest level. Just like Sister Buder, the 76 years old marathon runner, Masai shows us growing old doesn’t mean slowing down.

Last week Masai won the 10,000 meters race at the Kenya National Championship. Masai  finished in a time of 32.29.1 ahead of four times Boston marathon winner, Catherine Ndereba,

How is she able compete at 42?

She is a late bloomer. According to Edith Masai Bio, Masai was born in 1967, She graduated from High school in 1988. She joined Kenya Prisons Service in 1990, known for recruiting many talented athletes. Masai did not, however, achieve anything until 1999, when she became a national cross-country champion, at the ripe age of 34. That was the Eureka moment for Edith.

Mid thirties is a time when most athletes start winding down on their running career but for Edith, she was just discovering her hidden talent. She started training seriously.

In 2004 she failed at the Kenyan trials for the Olympics. Then you might have thought that was her last best chance to compete in Olympics but we are in 2008 and here she is planning to win a ticket to represent Kenya at 2008 Beijing olympics.

I hope to see her in Beijing, it will be amazing if she beats Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba.

Tags: , 10K Running, Beijing Olympics, Running

Lewa Marathon is the only marathon in the world where spectators include wild animals. The start of 2008 Lewa Marathon had to be delayed by 15 minutes because a lion was sunning itself on part of the marathon circuit. The tight security team had to use a helicopter to evacuate  the king of the jungle.

Elephants also came close to the route but the security team was swift to push them back. Sounds like a lot of fun! Just a note, since the marathon started no runner has been unfortunate victim of an hungry leopard or lion. Its a private Ranch and I bet the animals are well fed.

The winner of 2008 Lewa Safaricom marathon, Benson Kaptikou finished in a slow time of 2.21.39 to win a cash prize of US$2,000. He admitted he had sold his only goat for US$20 to raise bus fare to travel to the ranch.

“I have always believed that life is a gamble and that is why I did not have second thoughts about it” he said.

The marathon is held inside a wild life ranch located in Kenya on the slopes of Mt. Kenya.  Its run on dirt roads 5,500 feet above sea level. Lewa Ranch offers a camp site with entertainment. The money raised from the marathon goes to wildlife conservation.

Feeling like running wild! Visit Lewa marathon official site to see how you can participate. Participation is limited to 750 runners.

Once in a while I check on AP News, odd stories section for something out of the ordinary. Last week I found this interesting story of one nude runner,

“Police in Lincoln Nebraska arrested a man on Saturday night for running on a Lincoln bike trail in his thong underwear.Police say the 26-year-old man was arrested for indecent exposure. Officers said they found him running around Holmes Lake wearing his socks, shoes and, of course, the thong.” source : Ap news

Tags: Naked running, Running