Category: Marathon Man
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Jamica Reggae
[slideshow_deploy id=’477′] Most laid-back and enjoyable of the marathons so far. 200 runners gathered early in the pre-dawn darkness in Negril, the remote and nature-dominated west side of the island. Natives raised flaming bamboo torches and Rastafarian drummers called down the spirits of fair competition and mutual respect. A horn sounded and off we…
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Sedona, Arizona Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’472′] Brutal, but beautiful. Brutal — in that the 26.2 miles were all hills at 4,500 foot altitude. Beautiful — running amidst the red rock buttes and towering spires that make Sedona one of the most stunning places in the world. “Home Cookin’ ” for this one, as my Dad and Step-mom live…
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Guayaquil, Ecuador Marathon
Ecuador comes from “Equator” — the Earth’s middle meridian line that passes through this diverse South American country. The ocean is warm along the coast, the low lands are tropical rainforest on both sides of the Andes Mountains, with Amazon jungle on the expansive east side. Ran 26.2 in Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city along…
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Florence, Italy Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’462′] My favorite film director, Federico Fellini said that all you need to make a movie is snow and a train. Had both, riding the rails in late November from Milano south to Firenze. Being half-Italian (on my mother’s side), I felt totally at home with 9,000 runners from 60 countries as we…
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Inverness, Scotland Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’457′] “Wherever I wander, Wherever I rove,The hills of the Highlands, For ever I love. . .” –Robbie Burns, 1789 In a past life, brought forward in reoccurring nocturnal dreams, I was a Scottish Highlander. With long red hair and thistle-filled beard, and clad in nothing but a kilt — I roamed the…
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Barcelona Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’453′] The catalyst for visiting the Catalonian city of Barcelona was to see Antoni Gaudi’s architecture. Gaudi and Barcelona surpassed expectations. Barcelona, in the northeast corner of Spain, is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea. Called “The Spanish Paris,” “The Capital of the Future,” and “The Territory of Illusions” it takes ancient…
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Boise, Idaho Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’447′] Combo of a marathon in the capital city of Idaho and a pilgrimage to pay homage to the author who inspired me to be a writer. Boise is a tree-filled valley in the high desert of western Idaho, with an untamed river running through town, feeding the trees and invigorating the populace.…
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Honolulu, Hawaii Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’438′] by Paula Grecco. My husband was running his 74th marathon in Honolulu, Hawaii, and I was anxiously jostling for space with the other spectators, waiting for him to cross the finish line at Waikiki Beach. I kept glancing at my watch, at first not letting it bother me that he seemed to…
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Malibu, California Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’899′] Hilly course along the PCH, Pacific Coast Highway, with awesome views of the ocean. Mile markers on upright surfboards. Finish at famous Zuma Beach, where you can dive into the Pacific O. after kicking it in!
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Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Marathon
[slideshow_deploy id=’910′] A scenic tour through a most beautiful Atlantic Ocean resort town. Breezes blowing in from the ocean keep you cool. Locals turn out full force to cheer you on. Instead of a gun-bang at the start, “Bubbles,” an African Elephant, from a nearby game preserve is the Master of Ceremonies. He lifts…