Those of you who have visited our Web site since we began in 2004 have often seen one of Uta’s favorite phrases: “intensity meets playfulness.” With that thought in mind, the whimsical stories you’re about to read offer a close look at some of the odd and unusual occurrences in the sport of running.
From using canine pacemakers to the importance of avoiding wild turkeys, we hope you’ll find a good chuckle and something fun to think about the next time you’re in the mood for a little fresh air…
| Dubai Marathon: Postponed but definitely not cancelled It might well be a question for a quiz question master with a keen interest in track and field athletics: Why will the Standard Chartered Dubai Marathon 2006 begin six weeks late? |
Trailrunners, Beware the Beak! Trailrunners, Beware the Beak! Trailrunners love to exercise by running through woods and ravines, wanting to get close to nature. Well, beware! This article is a public service announcement to warn you of the dangers lurking in those woods! |
| A Race with and without Pudding If you think of London and running, Hyde Park and Regent’s Park come to mind, the green hills of Hampstead Heath to the north and to the south-west, where the counties of Surrey and Middlesex meet, Richmond and Bushey Park. |
Home Improvement When I walked into the bedroom, I noticed a crack in the wall. “Oh no!” I thought in alarm, “The house is collapsing from the weight of all those race T-shirts!” I always knew this day would come. |
| Running with Dogs - Man and Animal in Partnership Patrick Kiernan, a doctor in London and veteran or masters runner of high standard, has two types of training partner: the team-mates from his club, Heathside, who run over the hilly landscape of Hampstead Heath in north London, and his two dogs, Moffy and Jimmy. |
Running barefoot in Berlin Marathon? Since the origin of the Marathon in the late 1800’s, there have always been a small number of “competitors” who have attempted to tarnish the sanctity of the world’s greatest sport by gaining status or even prizes by cheating. |
| The Day a Goods Train brought the Boston Marathon to a halt The 108th Boston Marathon will get underway on April 19th. Just as it was in 1897, the finish of the point-to-point course is in central Boston. Over all these years the course has had few changes. |
Tracey Morris - how a fun runner qualified for the British Olympic team It was probably the biggest surprise of all the spring marathons this season. In last Sunday’s London Marathon an athlete finished tenth who had trained like a fun runner just four months earlier. |
| Fauja Singh - At the age of 93 the world record holder in the marathon still has ambitions The world of long distance running has many stories to raise the spirits, but the career of Fauja Singh is unique. Born into a peasant farming family in India, he came to Britain eleven years ago and started running aged 89! |
At least 9,150 runners overtaken during the Berlin Marathon A performance which could well qualify for the Guinness Book of Records was achieved by Terefe Yae and Shimeles Molla during the Berlin Marathon on 26th September. |
