Want to run a marathon in Japan? This is not Tokyo or Osaka
September 13, 2023
• Paul Ryken
Would you like to run a marathon in Japan but don’t qualify for Tokyo and are not keen to join the crowds in Osaka? Well, come to Nagano. Framed by the snow-capped Japanese Alps and with on-course entertainment that puts many majors to shame, the Nagano Marathon makes for a unique race experience. Lace up your running shoes, and let’s...
The Joys of the One-Way Run
June 22, 2023
• Mark Lowenstein
Most planned runs are ‘out and backs’ or loops, since you’ve usually got to end up where you started. But once in a while, in the right place and with the right infrastructure and planning, the one-way run can be a wonderful and rewarding experience. The advantage of the one-way run, especially if it’s on an attractive route, is that...
Around the World In 45 days: 16 countries, a Family Treasure Hunt, & Countless Great Runs!
August 23, 2022
• Joylin Nodwell
This grand idea started with an invitation to participate in a family treasure hunt. My Uncle decided for this 75th birthday, he would challenge 25 family members (and their families) to find 28 treasure keys hidden in 25 destinations around the world. The last 3 remaining keys would be found back in Calgary (Canada). With a long list of exotic...
The Travels of Mark Miller
August 22, 2022
Here’s one for all our future fantasies: retire on the young-ish side, while the legs still have it, and take months-long trips to gorgeous places to run, eat, and sightsee. That’s what Mark Miller and his wife Jean have been doing since 2020. Mark has become a friend of Great Runs, enjoying our routes worldwide and also submitting route suggestions...
Around the World In 45 days: 16 countries, a Family Treasure Hunt, & Countless Great Runs!
August 22, 2022
• Joylin Nodwell
This grand idea started with an invitation to participate in a family treasure hunt. My Uncle decided for this 75th birthday, he would challenge 25 family members (and their families) to find 28 treasure keys hidden in 25 destinations around the world. The last 3 remaining keys would be found back in Calgary (Canada). With a long list of exotic...
Summer Solstice Photos!
June 30, 2022
This is the time of year when all those dark, wintertime early morning or post-work runs are rewarded by early sunrises and languid summer evenings. In celebration of the Longest Day of the Year, we’re encouraging the Great Runs community to go for a ‘late’ run on or near the Solstice and submit a photo! Click on ‘Additional Photos’ above...
North Half Fjallakofans (Iceland) 26K Trail Race
June 29, 2022
• Michael W.
• Iceland
Originally the trip was planned to run the Iceland Marathon. Due to Covid, that race was postponed until 2022. This is how the story began… I walked into a brewpub and saw a woman with race bibs, the next thing I know, tomorrow I am racing! Since we were surrounded by huge mountains, I assumed this race would include significant climbs...
The Ultimate Running Road Trip
June 30, 2021
In the midst of the pandemic, Aurélie Vilmer and her husband sold their house, bought an RV, and traveled around the country, doing an average 10k run nearly every day (many of them Great Runs routes!). Plus lots of hiking, climbing, biking, and swimming. Great Runs hosted a Zoom event where Aurelie shared her stories and lots of fabulous photos....
