Run For It: Marathons With A View

Run For It: Marathons With A View
Whether you are a professional athlete or an amateur running for a cause, there’s nothing like the runner’s high that you experience during and after a marathon. A great view only adds to the high. Here are a few marathons with spellbinding views to look forward to in 2013:
Great Wall Marathon, 18 May - Looking for a challenge? Try running the full marathon up the Great Wall of China. Or even the shorter 7.5km Fun Run.
2013 Comrades Marathon, 2 June - The Comrades Marathon—hosted since 1921 in memory of soldiers who braved the climate of the South African equatorial lands during the war—is a test on the physical endurance of a human being.
Himalyan Marathon, 3 May - If you’re a trekking enthusiast, the Himalayan Marathon might be more up your alley.
Auroville Marathon, 3 February - About 10km from Pondicherry, the Auroville Marathon brings marathoners of various nationalities together every year. Running through the small town and its forests, alternating between dirt trails and tarmac, the entire route covers 13.8km.
Marathon du Medoc, 7 September - The mostly fun-filled marathon has a cut off time of 6 hours and 30 minutes, with an average completion time around five hours.
Venice Marathon, 27 October - The route is flat and easy, covering the backwater city for a runner's average of four hours, making for a different sightseeing experience altogether.
Athens Classic Marathon, 10 November - Head to the Greek city of Athens, to where it all began.
City2Surf, 11 August - Along the way, the atmosphere is encouraging; with live bands, DJs, hoards of hooting and cheering crowds, and cheerleaders. In 2012, the average race time was 1 hour and 15 minutes.

 Great Wall Marathon 2009. Photo: Klaus Sletting, Albatros Travel - Needless to say, the view is incredible. Apart from the steep ascents, descents and thousands of steps of the first nine kilometres over the wall, the course also runs through asphalt roads, rice paddies and villages. The Yin and Yang Square at the Huanyaguang section of the Great Wall, Tianjin province, is the start and finish point of the race, which is also where lunch and massage services will be held. 

 Himalayan Marathon 2011 - Braving the cold at over 10,000ft, the full and half marathons are in Sangla, starting on the bridge over the Baspa River in the village of Batseri, while the five and 10km runs are in Kalpa on 29 April. The organisers insist on acclimatizing yourself with the air and altitude a few days before the race by trekking in Sangla. A relay option is also suggested, so as to avoid the infamous exhaustion that is deadlier at higher altitudes.

 The Athens Classic Marathon - It was born out of the legend of a Greek soldier who ran non-stop from Marathonas to Athens to relay the message of their victory at the Battle of Marathon. The course is an uphill and downhill route that starts at Marathonas, passes through the city of Pallini and into Athens. Runners pass through some iconic landmarks such as the Marathon War Memorial, the Athens Music Hall, Agia Paraskevi Square and Panathinaiko Stadium, as well as a 10km slope.

Marathon du Medoc, last year. Photo: AMCM/ De Tienda/Dubroca - Imagine running a marathon as Darth Vader or Captain Kirk through France’s most beautiful vineyards, occasionally sipping delicious wine, with a feast waiting for you at the finish line.