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Hello Planeteers,
Another broken record for Run The Planet. As we are running full speed to reach 3,000 descriptions, after over fifty new courses suggested last February, this month we received and published 54 new descriptions to enjoy in every corner of the world. The information database your contributions keep up to date is constantly growing. This month we now offer fifty-four new possibilities for all of us runners out there, some of which in countries that we did not feature a week ago. Yes, the list of missing nations and territories is shrinking to only a few places, as we welcome this month additions from Cook Islands, Mayotte, and Norfolk Island.
Along with bringing you new places to run, we always keep an eye open to make sure your protection comes first. Our safety section is one of the most important assets we are proud to offer you, and we continue to expand this reference library with new texts. The last one is regarding "Safety on railroads", with tips we recommend you consider when finding a railroad on your running course, as it is important to not see the railroad tracks as an outlined path for you to follow.
Another aspect of your safety is addressed by the "Marathon crowd safety tips". International marathons and big running events are bringing together thousands and thousands of runners and spectators in the same place at the same time. Sure it is a big party and a time to be happy, but in the worst case scenario, the dynamics of a panicked crowd could pose you a serious threat. As a matter of fact often, a terrified crowd can be more dangerous than the threat itself. Here are some safety tips if you find yourself in a dangerous situation together with other runners in a confined space.
Speaking about crowds, our community this month welcomes the experience of Jari Leino from Finland, interviewed in our "Planeteer Spotlight" section, section that now offers insights from 27 foreign runners.
Another interesting addition is the article on "The culture of mall-walking" that explores this "indoor version" of running, very popular in the United States of America.
Do you want to laugh? Then we suggest you to check out the story "Why I quit jogging" that we added this month to our "Rtp Jokes" webpage.
Our unusual "World Crossroads" collection of pedestrian, hiking and running related street signs from around the world highlights this month new photos from France and Poland.
Finally, as a dessert (we should really say that), "The Gourmet Runner" is now featuring another recipe (and course descriptions) directly from New Orleans, the one for the "Sazerac - America's First Cocktail". Enjoy but drink responsibly.
Ah, last word. Please visit Road Runner Sports and treat yourself to something special, or better yet show your granmother how easy it is to order merchandise on-line and demonstrate using Road Runner Sports with grandma, and her credit card, by your side.
Have fun and keep running the planet!
RTP Staff
How do I describe the trip to Antarctica in just a few sentences? I can't. For the whole report you'll have to wait until I can capture it in words.
The crossing to Antarctica, across the Drake Passage was fairly uneventful. This is a very volatile stretch of water, and we had enough of the big waves and wind to keep up from being bored, but nothing out of the ordinary.
I went as part of the Marathon Tours staff this time, so I was a one of the "crew" that was dropped off at King George Island to set up, measure, and mark the course. It was like being on the moon. The cold, wind, and snow made even finding the course a challenge.
The next day, the runners were greeted with more wind, and an 8 foot high snow drift. Lucky for us, one of the Chinese researched wanted to run the marathon so he got his friends to carve a path through the wall of snow. Everyone finished. Everyone felt great.
The next three days we kayaked and cruised through the channels around the Antarctic Peninsula. The weather was perfect. Blue skies, bright sunshine. And the wildlife was unbelievable. Whales, seals, and more penguins than I've ever seen.
Then... we head back. We were caught for nearly 48 hours in a cyclone. It was the most awesome display of nature's power that I have ever seen. We rocked, rolled (well... almost) and shook our way back to Ushuaia. It was fantastic.
It is the adventure of a lifetime, that I've now taken twice. And I'm going back in 2005. Please join me if you can. If will change you.
But there's no time to rest. I'll be in Paris and London for the marathons, and then off to the "Country Music Marathon" in Nashville.
I'll see you on the roads. Waddle on, friends...
WaddleOn.com • JohnBingham.com • Coach Jenny
Where to run in the world
Description of the month - Kingston (Norfolk Island)
By Ian Anderson: A 2-4 kilometers easy run. Park near Kingston Jetty and run along the foreshore of Slaughter Bay and may be along the beach of Emily Bay and up to Lone Pine at the point looking out towards Philip Island, return from there for 2.5 kilometers or continue on along a rocky ridge to the golf course and along the coast to Cemetery Bay along grass track to the cemetery. You can then go back either the way you came or back along the road past the golf course and Government House. This course is about 4 kilometers and is a great run for early morning spectacular at sunrise.
New and updated cities this month on Run The Planet
Akmola (Kazakhstan), Almeria (Spain), Avarua (Cook Islands), Belo Horizonte (Brazil), Canoas (Brazil), Chennai (India), Christchurch (New Zealand), Dothan (Usa/Alabama), Dubai (United Arab Emirates), Firenze (Italy), Fort Wayne (Usa/Indiana), Geneva (Switzerland), Goiânia (Brazil), Holzgerlingen (Germany), Indianapolis (Usa/Indiana), Johannesburg (South Africa), Kingston (Norfolk Island), Lakeland (Usa/Florida), Lansdale (Usa/Pennsylvania), Leeds (United Kingdom), London (United Kingdom), Mamoudzou (Mayotte), Montecatini Terme (Italy), New Delhi (India), New Orleans (Usa/Louisiana), Norman (Usa/Oklahoma), Oklahoma City (Usa/Oklahoma), Pateros (Philippines), Perugia (Italy), Pune (India), Randburg (South Africa), Recife (Brazil), Riga (Latvia), Rotorua (New Zealand), Tolentino (Italy), Westwego (Usa/Louisiana), Zion (Usa/Illinois).
New nations and territories this month on Run The Planet
Cook Islands, Mayotte, Norfolk Island.
Nations still missing to complete Run The Planet
(Africa) Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Guinea, Western Sahara; (Central America) Antigua & Barbuda; (Asia) Iraq, Syria. Besides these nations, other territories may be missing.
Latvian Marathon & Ultra - Latvian marathon & ultra running news, races, statistics, mostly in English and Latvian. Edited by Latvian marathon statistician Gunars Akerbergs.
Jogging Tours LLC - Jogging Tours LLC offers busy travelers a way to see city sights while on a safe and fun workout. Headquartered in New Orleans where available every day and by appointment in other large U.S. cities. "Let us show you the town" is our motto.
Hermes Sports & Events - Hermes Sports & Events is Cleveland's premier event management company. Here at Hermes, we strive to provide Cleveland and its surrounding communities with quality athletic events that stimulates competition, fun, and healthy living. We are dedicated to the communities we serve that why our motto is the “Home Team Advantage". Our website provides viewers with a chance to get to know Hermes and see what we are about. Calendar of events, directions, on-line registration, and races results are just a few things that www.hermescleveland.com has to offer.
Better Run - A website telling you about a training schedule of only 3 sessions per week. Because you have no more time because of work or children. Then there is a large amount of information about ultrarunning, training advices and links to some ultrarunning sites. Further more some information about the author, a few interesting / funny / strange running links.
Wheelchair Racing Resource Page - The Wheelchair Racing Resource Page is a list of Internet resources relating to wheelchair racing.
Resources for running web sites - We are a web development company with a great deal of understanding in how to build web sites for runners. Our client base includes several Elite runners. We have also contributed articles to the "Running Times" magazine on how to build a running related website. We offer a number of services ranging from hosting and development for new sites to consulting and canned calculators for existing sites.
Go for Blood! bike tour and 5k walk/run - The American Red Cross presents the Annual "Go for Blood!" cycling and running fundraiser. Food, drink, massages, beautiful roads, T-shirt, etc. Blood drive also. Directions on website.
Sense - Sense is a U.K. charity specialising in raising vital funds for deafblind children and adults. Our marathon programmes raise a pots of money for us every year and we would like as many people to run the "New York Marathon" for us this November.
Leichtathletik Wallertheim - It is site with information about the Wallertheim athletes and with a calendar of some runs. Also you find a photo gallery and some interesting links. Furthermore you receive information about the "Edmund-Finzer-Lauf".
Athletes HI - "Athletes HI" is a local magazine for the state of Hawaii, covering running, swimming, biking and triathlon. We are runners too, so we know what athletes need. On our website you can find the latest information about races in Hawaii, applications, results, news and more.
New Balance Vancouver - Canada's official online New Balance dealer carrying a full range of widths and sizes of shoes and clothing. Free shipping to anywhere in Canada.
The Running Doctor - The Running Doctor provides information on running injuries, prevention, treatment, sports medicine and training help, runners nutritional guidance and articles about chiropractic care for sport injury.
Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer - This website provides information about the annual "Walk for Hope to Cure Breast Cancer" and allows for on-line registration.
About Fitness Equipment - Shop smarter for fitness equipment that will help you achieve your fitness goals. About Fitness Equipment offers tips on what to look for when choosing fitness equipment for home or personal use.
Cus Parma - Sport Fidenza - Information on the "Triathlon città di Fidenza", races, and other activities organized by Cus Parma Sport Fidenza.
Chebucto Athletics - Sackville Chebucto Athletics was founded in 1976, serving young teenage athletes during the summer months. As interest grew the organizers and coaches decided to extend the operation of the club to a year round training and competitive program. Club athletes have distinguished themselves at Provincial and National Championships, on Canada Games teams and in International competitions. In 1987 two of our athletes were selected to the Canadian Junior Team and three athletes made the team in 1988. In 1992 Chebucto had five athletes compete at the Olympic Trials. In 2001, the club saw remarkable success in sending 3 staff members and 22 of 55 athletes to the Canada Summer games. The highlight of this would have been the 4x100m men's team, which was made up exclusively of Chebucto Athletes, and captured the gold medal.
Oxfam Trailwalker - "Oxfam Trailwalker" is a team endurance challenge held in the Australian cities of Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Teams of four have 48 hours to cover a 100 kilometers bushtrail. This is not a relay, all four team members must cover the trail together. "Oxfam Trailwalker" is also in the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
Houtwijk Kerstloop Dronten - All about the "Houtwijk Kerstloop Dronten", including photos, results, forms and all the information you need if you want to participate.
50 States Marathon Club - A club for runners that have run one or more marathons in all fifty States & Dc.
Running events added this month to the Run The Planet worldwide calendar
Baltimore (Usa/Maryland) Believe in Tomorrow National Children's Foundation/Home Depot Port-to-Fort; Portland (Usa/Maine) Sportshoe Center Maine Marathon & Maine Half Marathon; Casablanca (Morocco) Courir pour le plaisir; Melbourne (Australia) Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne; Dronten (Netherlands) Houtwijk Kerstloop Dronten; Port Angeles (Usa/Washington) North Olympic Discovery Marathon; Charleston (Usa/Illinois) Run, Walk & Roll for Better Health Care 5k; Kfar Tavor (Israel) Mount Tabor cross country race; Sydney (Australia) Oxfam Trailwalker Sydney; Holzgerlingen (Germany) Staeffeleslauf; Pittsburgh (Usa/Pennsylvania) American Heart Association Lawyers have Heart 5k Run; Cincinnati (Usa/Ohio) Blue Ash Airport Days 5k Run/Fitness Walk; Montreal (Canada) Standard Life Marathon; Mountain View (Usa/California) Human Race - Silicon Valley; Centerville (Usa/Ohio) Harvest Classic 5K; Pittsburgh (Usa/Pennsylvania) Fineview Step-A-Thon; Sun Valley (Usa/Idaho) Sawtooth Relay; South Lake Tahoe (Usa/California) DeCelle Memorial Lake Tahoe Relay; Fremont (Usa/California) Alameda Creek Spawning Run; Denver (Usa/Colorado) The Great Escape; Wellington (New Zealand) Shoe Clinic Harbour Capital Half Marathon.
The Global Telegraph
• SPAIN / Juzdado wins the City of Barcelona Marathon
On March 16th in Spain the "City of Barcelona Marathon" presented defending champion (2:12.07) Benjamin Rotich from Kenia attacking in the second half... read more online
• ITALY / Marco Gozzano in the desert
In April, from the 4th to the 14th, Marco Gozzano will take part with two Moroccan brothers Mohamed and Lachen Ahansal, as Gemma Run Team for Peace, in the "Marathon Des Sables", the extraordinary sporting celebration that involves athletes coming from all parts of the world... read more online
• ILLINOIS (USA) / America's most scenic urban marathon
On Memorial Day weekend, Sunday May 25, run Chicago's beautiful lakeshore by participating to the "Chicago Lakeshore Marathon". The first wave or runners starts at 6:00 am in Burnham Park by McCormick Place... read more online
• IRELAND / Coleman wins the Ballycotton 10 miles
On a March 10th amidst gale force winds in Cork, Dubliner Noel Berkeley was going for his fifth-straight and seventh title of the "Nike Ballycotton 10 miles"... read more online
• ITALY / Triathlon in the island of Sardinia
The heart of Sportstar Triathlon is represented by its founders Riccardo Caruso and Sonya Smith. Riccardo e Sonya met in Oregon in 2001 while taking a sports sponsorship class... read more online
• CYPRUS / Allan Fotheringham sets the pace and wins the race
The strong wind, before and during the races failed to depress the enthusiasm of the six hundreds runners to run in the "Cyprus SpiderNet Pafos Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Road Race"... read more online
• FINLAND / New course record at the Tulip Run
On March 23rd in Turku, Finland, the "Tulip Run" - 10 kilometers - is conducted in an area with many tulip greenhouses. Jussi Utriainen, who two weeks earlier set a national 20k road record at the "Alphen 20km", broke his own hilly "Tulip Run" course record... read more online
• ITALY / Stramilano 2003 celebrates its 32nd edition
On Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of April, the 2003 edition of the "Stramilano" event will take place. The well-known running festival will traditionally propose a series of events which will feature not only athletes and champions as its protagonists but also... read more online
Run The Planet library
Visit the "Run The Planet Bookstore" webpage for hundreds of running, walking, and hiking related books, and links to running books dedicated webpages on the Internet
Rtp Movie
Visit the "Rtp Movie" webpage for running, walking, and hiking related movies, videoclips and an exhaustive movie encyclopedia
This is the 14th running of the "Marathon des Sables" as captured by Outside Television in this 1999 video that lasts for 47 minutes. The athletes experience 148 miles of running in the merciless heat of the Sahara Desert of Northern Africa, one of the most extreme environments on Earth. To some of those who dare, it is a transcendent foray into the timeless sands of Morocco. And to the rest, it is an awful test of the limits of human endurance. With 580 competitors, from 28 different countries, starting this race you will be hosted by Peter Young during each of the six stages of the event. Tim Powell gets credited as producer, writer and director of this spectacular event. The video "Marathon of the Sands: The World's Most Daunting Foot Race" has seven break periods where the screen is black for up to ten seconds, where commercials were once inserted, although the sunrises and sunsets are beautiful frames to these breaks in the action. These athletes must be totally self sufficient, although the race provides water and berber tents, they must carry their own food, clothing, and sleeping bags. Nine people share a tent together and the tents are taken down at 5:30 each morning. The course is marked with painted stones, although there are sections of orienteering during some of the stages. As one competitor says, "I've done Ironman several times and that's a breeze. I've done Eco-Challenge and that was easier than this". Stage 1: Not too many dunes, however some severely rocky terrain. As one athlete expressed himself: "This is like... this is... I don't even know. It's like... have you been out there? It's whacked! It's whacked out of shape is what it is". Twelve runners drop out during day one. Are those remaining prepared for the test that has yet to come? Stage 2: flat with some sand dunes, and more foot aching rock. Suffering is bringing people together. Who will be at the back of the pack with the camels today? Stage 3: Six mile section of steep sand dunes and a section were the athletes have to provide their own orienteering. When the athletes go off course and miss a safety checkpoint, how far will they go astray before the safety helicopter must intervene and those athletes start to backtrack? Stage 4: 48 miles, the longest stage in the history of this race. 9:20 start time with the top 100 athletes starting three hours later. Estienne Arndt, from South Africa, states: "We've done this distance before and one thing I'm nervous about is I know how far 74 kilometers is. It's a long, long way. That's actually... I think it would be better to not know how long 74kilometers is". You will visit the medical tent where feet have taken a beating and they don't use any antiseptic. With nightfall comes new fears and challenges as people navigate in the desert without any light. How many will become confused and disoriented if they continue to push themselves? Stage 5: 26 miles, "Dune Day" with the second highest dunes in all of the Sahara Desert. The hottest day yet with 120 degree temperatures. Spirits are high with the end in sight, although the men's leaders are just seconds apart with one more day to go. Stage 6: the final day, ending in the city under balloons and cheering spectators. Emotions are strong at the finish and you won't see much running today as the focus is placed on the finish line.
Rtp Organizer
Event organizing should be fun! - Sure, they prepare for thousands in New York, Boston, and London; but if you have a hundred or two you don't need to get your knickers in a bunch! Smaller events can be fun to create and are more forgiving than larger ones. Test your limits by hosting a small one (100-200) on November 9, 2003 this year and be part of the "World Run Day" series of events worldwide. Who said you need a chip on your shoe, a huge clock at the finish, and post-event food to feed an army? The most important elements are the location, safety, and promise to do the best you can - everything else will follow. Most runners want a date reserved on the calendar and a promise that you've got an accurately measured course and timer. Oftentimes it's just hanging out with other runners that helps make memories for the next year. The "World Run Day" website (www.runday.com) has a sponsorship template that can be tailored to attract sponsors in any town worldwide. Once you get a few sponsors you're half way home. Need bibs? Print out the bibs on the site. Need a good charity to donate to? Research one of the hundreds on the site's charity link. It's the perfect beginner event for a motivated fundraiser and a great day for the experienced one as well. Need your charity to print up announcements about your event, check the Event Directors link. Don't let the intimidation of technology stop you from holding a great event - especially for your favorite charity. Get started now and learn year by year. Now that you can Run The Planet see if you can rule the day: "World Run Day", September 9, 2003. Be there!
Rtp Organizer • World Run Day • Running links for race organizers
Run The Planet Satellites
• Asia - Bahrain: Bahrain Cross Country & Road Runners Club since September 2001. China/Hong Kong - Hong Kong Runners since July 2001.
• North America - Canada: RunnersWeb.com since November 2002. Usa/California: East Bay Striders since July 2001. Usa/Illinois: Chicago Distance Classic since February 2002. Usa/Illinois: Second Wind Running Club since March 2002. Usa/Georgia: Race Pace since June 2001. Usa/Nevada: Las Vegas Marathon since July 2001. Usa/Tennessee: Chattanooga Track Club since July 2001. Usa/Texas: Cross Country Club of Dallas since June 2001. Usa/Texas: Fort Worth Runners Club since July 2001. Usa/Virginia: Williamsburg Area Running since May 2002.
• South America - Brazil: Run The Planet Brasil since May 2001. Brazil: Copacabana Runners since March 2002.
• Europe - Belgium: Arthur's Marathon Page since July 2001. France: Run The Planet France since October 2002. Ireland: Crusaders Athletic Club since August 2001. Italy: Run The Planet Italia since May 2001. Italy: Correre nel deserto since May 2001. Italy: Dead Runners Society Italia since May 2001. Italy: Penguin Brigade Italia since May 2001. Italy: Podismo since May 2001. Malta: Sovereign Running Order of Malta since May 2001. San Marino: Drs San Marino since May 2001. Spain: Run The Planet España since September 2002. Switzerland: Drs Svizzera since May 2001. Vatican City: Drs Vaticano since May 2001.
• Oceania - Australia: Adelaide Running since February 2002. Australia: Melbourne Marathon since July 2001. Guam: The Guam Running Club since July 2001.
Should you want your website to become part of the Run The Planet satellites, simply apply by sending us an e-mail message (info@runtheplanet.com) requesting more information.
Run The Planet Statistics
0054 New running course descriptions this month 2090 Cities activated on Run The Planet 2768 Running course descriptions on Run The Planet 0003 New nations or territories activated this month 0216 Nations and territories activated on Run The Planet 0021 New events in the worldwide running calendar this month 1181 Events in the Run The Planet worldwide calendar 0019 New links on "Running links" this month 1713 Links on "Running links"From where are runners visiting Run The Planet? The following 151 countries and territories (and the list keeps growing!): American Samoa, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaidjan, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldavia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Niue, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Polynesia, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, former U.S.S.R., Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City state, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
