My running route has its ups and downs. I can sprint (ok, well sprinting might be a little ambitious) to the beach and run down the always empty pier breathing in that salty sea air. I can head out of town down to a quaint lake but more often than not I am trying to dodge dog poo and not slipping off crumbling curbs as I run through the streets of my French town.
When I was last backpacking I missed out the chance to race down exotic sun drenched beaches and Himalayan trekking paths but now I’m best friends with my running trainers I will be taking them with me on future trips, you mark my words.
It got me thinking about the best places in the world to go for a Sunday morning jog – imagine swapping street rage (that should so be a thing – when you’re in your stride and someone cuts in front of you and blocks your path arrggghhh!!) for stunning scenery. These have to beat plodding on a treadmill in a chain of identical gyms any day?!
New York – Surely anyone who has ever ran has dreamed about joining the dedicated bunch of runners in Central Park? Perfect to whizz around this iconic park in whatever season, feeling like you’re an extra in a film.
Rio De Janerio – Copacabana beach is full of fitness fanatics limbering up, doing press ups on the warm sand or jogging down the famous black and white beach front pavements. Instead of strolling around like a tourist why not get involved and work up a sweat as you work out?
Iceland – You not only get the rugged terrains, mountainous scenery and icy clear lakes but you also get a multitude of spa’s and thermal baths to rest those weary legs after you’ve trained like a beast. Travel tour group dedicated to running Run The World Adventures organises week-long trips to this wonderful part of the world (side note - I’m not affiliated to them in anyway but I just think this is such a cool and unusual idea to get to see a new country!)
Patagonia - Want to up your fitness game as you backpack? The Patagonian International Marathon in Chile would be incredible. Although you may end up with a crick in your neck from the time spent gazing at the raw rocky view of the Torres Del Paines in Patagonia.
The Amazon - The Jungle Marathon in Brazil takes you through the Amazon rainforest with poisonous critters applauding you on and oven like humidity. It isn’t for the faint-hearted, in fact the marathon is the easy option with a 254km race available if you’re crazy enough. Seen by some as the toughest endurance race in the world - gulp.
Japan – It’s on my wish list to see the cherry blossom of Japan before I die, however I’m not sure if the lure of pretty flowers is enough to make me tie up my laces for the Fujisan Marathon. Although it has to help when you hit ‘that wall’ to look up at Mount Fuji peering down on you? It’s taking place in two weeks time but why not reserve your place for next year?
Where in the world would get you giddy about putting on your trainers?
