Kalkbrottsloppet 2019 - my review

This weekend we did the Kalkbrottsloppet in Malmo - which sees runners take on a 5.6km course through the disused Limhamn's Kalkbrott limestone quarry!

View this post on Instagram

#kalkbrottsloppet 🏃‍♀️ 🏃‍♂️- a great event! Well organised, nice atmosphere and amazing scenery + ☀️☀️☀️☀️😎 #kalkbrottetnu #running #limhamn #kalkbrottetilimhamn #malmo #malmö #visitskane #sweden🇸🇪

A post shared by Kalkbrottet Nu (@kalkbrottet.nu) on Aug 31, 2019 at 6:44am PDT

Kalkbrottsloppet starts at the top of the Limhamn quarry and then runners are allowed beyond the fence, following a track down into the Kalkbrott itself.  Then round the Kalkbrott, back up and out and then a home straight to finish.

This amazing environment is now a protected nature reserve (more info can be found at https://www.kalkbrottet.nu/) so runners and helpers were the only people allowed to go into the Kalkbrott itself.

The event itself was very well run and saw just under 500 runners taking part in Kalkbrottsloppet.  It was hot hot hot in the Kalkbrott, but running through it was a really nice way to enjoy such an amazing place and there was a real sense of community from everyone taking part.  In line with running through a nature reserve, the Kalkbrottsloppet was environmentally friendly too and it was great to see that so many people had walked or ridden bicycles to the start. Again, well done, a very nice event and one we'll do again!

London's Top 3 best runs - from Daily Telegraph and Vitality

Vitality Health seem to have taken over a huge proportion of Britain's major runs this year and to go along with this Vitality have published a special Britain's Best Runs Vitality supplement with the Daily Telegraph newspaper.

Britain's Best Runs - Daily Telegraph / Vitality

The Daily Telegraph / Vitality 'Britain's Best Runs' supplement features run from around the UK - including three that are in / close to London.  Information on each of the top London running routes is below:

1) The Thames Seven Bridges, central London

Start: Vauxhall Bridge, South Side
Finish: Tower Bridge, North Side

Distance: 10 miles

"The 'seven bridges' route, from Vauxhall to Tower Bridge, makes for a medium-length, versatile run that tourists and Londoners alike will adore."

London - Thames 7 Bridges running route

- Bridge 1 - from Vauxhall train station, run down Albert Embankment then cross Lambeth Bridge.
- Bridge 2 - run down Millbank and cross at Westminster.
- Bridge 3 - after a quick visit to the South bank, time to come back North, this time crossing Waterloo Bridge
- Bride 4 - Next, take the Victoria Embankment to Blackfriars Bridge and cross the river, going to the South side once more,
- Bridge 5 - run along the bank to Southwark Bridge and cross it
- Bridge 6 - then run along the road to London Bridge and cross the river again
- Bridge 7 - run the final stretch along to Tower Bridge, then cross Tower Bridge and finish!

This route and the bridges give you some great opportunities to sight see too.  On your way around this Thames Seven Bridges route you will pass the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, the London Eye, Temple, Tate Modern, St. Paul's Cathedral, the Mayor's office, HMS Belfast and many more... (and mornings will be quieter with fewer tourists to run around!)

2) Richmond Park, South West London

Start: Pembroke Lodge car park and follow the Tamsin Trail route in either direction

Finish: Pembroke Lodge cafe

Distance: 7.35 miles

Richmond Park running route map

Daily Telegraph / Vitality - Richmond Park running route

Richmond Park is the largest of the London Royal Parks, with 2500 acres of land to run around in.  It is easy to navigate though and the Tamsin Trail that goes around the park is signposted from any of the entrances or car parks.  There are also options to cut across the park too.  A beautiful place to run!


3) Ashridge National Trust Estate, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire

Start and Finish: The Ashridge Estate visitor centre at Bridgewater monument.  Green 'Boundary Trail' circular signs mark the route.

Distance: 16 miles for the Boundary trail (though there are lots of options for deviations and alternative routes)

Ashridge Estate - running route map

Ashridge Estate - running

Set in the Chiltern Hills, Ashridge is a 5000 acre estate that has a huge variety of landscapes - from oak forests to heaths to commons and chalk fields, all populated by a variety of animals ranging from butterflies to deer - a beautiful part of Britain and an amazing place to run.

The National Trust give free access to Ashridge and the Boundary Trail follows a 16 mile route alongside the perimeter fence.  There are lots of things to look at on the way round + the enchanted forest trail will entertain family (with you or while you are running elsewhere...!)

The Daily Telegraph 'Britain's Best Running Routes' supplement was a nice supplement with some useful information -  I recommend exploring these routes further!!!!  (I'll try and photoblog the Thames 7 Bridges run in another post shortly.)

...and if you try any of these, leave a comment to let me know how you got on! 

Holiday Inn Running #restandrun - Adidas / IHG competition

I like running when I am abroad and often manage to squeeze some running time into my schedule when I am away.  With limited time it is often hard to know where to go and what to see though.

Some hotels I have stayed in have given out a running specific map (thank you Westin Hotel Warsaw and Admiral Hotel Copenhagen), but normally it's a combination of standard tourist map and pot luck...

I was therefore interested to see that Holiday Inn are working with Adidas to embrace this 'training whilst travelling' idea and I was intrigued by their new campaign - 'share #restandrun and win.'

Holiday Inn share #restandrun with Adidas

The mechanic is simple - share your route on your GPS running app* using the hashtag #restandrun and you could win an Adidas prize + 50,000 IHG points.  From February 2015, Holiday Inn will then "showcase the most original and interesting routes on a dedicated website, to help hotel guests run more creatively on their travels and make sure they get the most out of their running experience."

[*most of the major running apps but not NikePlus.]

Find out more on the competition website: http://runningroutes.holidayinn.com/

Enjoy!

Malmo Midnattsloppet 2018 - my review

We are new in Malmo and tonight I ran my first event since moving -Malmo Midnattsloppet! ( https://midnattsloppet.com/en/)

Malmo Midnattsloppet was a 10km run with a difference though as it was run in the dark on a Saturday night.  Thousands of people assembled in the main square to get ready, with energetic warm ups and the best dressed runners parading for everyone.

Malmo Midnattsloppet start (2018)

Malmo Midnattsloppet 2018 warm up

Instead of starting in the morning or in the afternoon, Malmo Midnattsloppet started at 2130 and runners then all headed off into the streets of Malmo.  As our wave of runners left the main square we were accompanied by loud music, and lights and fireworks:

Malmo Midnattsloppet 2018 - start

Malmo Midnattsloppet 2018 - fireworks at the start

This was a spectacular way to start and set the tone for the whole Malmo Midnattsloppet run.  We set out from the square, ran down by the Malmo central station and through central Malmo past Malmo Live and more.  Then the Malmo Midnattsloppet route took us into Pildammsparken where there were a number of fun installations.  The fountains were on and lit in the lake and there was an Adidas zone that featured dry ice smoke and spooky lighting.  The highlight of the Malmo Midnattsloppet was Triangeln where a DJ was suspended above the route with lights and speakers really adding to the atmosphere in this area.  Finally, the big finish with each runner congratulated and given a celebratory coin. 

All in all Malmo Midnattsloppet was a great event!  Good quality Adidas running shirt was given to every runner and seeing everyone wearing the same shirt as they ran around the course made it feel like a big event too.  (The fancy dress glow in the dark jellyfish runners were also fun!)  We enjoyed running it the dark and it was a really good evening.

Well done, we'll be back next year :-) 

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018 (LLHM) review

Today I was lucky enough to take part in the first London Landmarks Half Marathon! I had managed to secure a place through the public registration last year and this morning arrived into Charing Cross station ready to do the race.

The action was all to be found on and around The Mall.  There was a large route map displayed on The Mall and the baggage collection was at the top of the steps by the ICA.

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018 Route map

From there it was a short walk to Pall Mall and the start of the London Landmarks Half Marathon, with Amanda Holden (randomly) then giving a short speech and sending everyone off.

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018 start 

What followed was an amazing run through the streets of London.  We passed so many sights - St.Paul's, the skyscrapers of the city, the river, the London Eye Downing Street and Big Ben, before the spectacular finish section close to where we started. 

The medal for the London Landmarks Half Marathon was then a unique, high quality hinged medal with different details:

London Landmarks Half Marathon 2018 medal with hinge

The London Landmarks Half Marathon was an amazing run and I would love to do it again - though I think it will be even harder to get a place next year....!

Asics Paris Marathon advertising poster on Boulevard de Rochechouart

I visited Paris this week and just a few days before the big Paris Marathon you could already see signs of preparation for this weekend's big Paris Marathon event.

Asics are one of the main Paris Marathon sponsors and have various advertising poster sites displaying their Asics Paris Marathon posters - I found this one on the Boulevard de Rochechouart between Anvers and Barbes-Rochechouart / Gare du Nord:

Asics Paris Marathon poster

Nice image and the slogan is 'Paris - it's a big race. Go run it' / 'Paris Est Une Grande Course. Courez' - Maybe I will one day! :-)

Watford Half Marathon 2015 - my review!

I have been trying to do the Watford Half Marathon for a while now.

- in 2012 the Watford Half Marathon was cancelled because of heavy snow
- in 2013 I signed up but then couldn't run because of clash with a family event
- in 2014 I was ill and could barely get out of bed, let alone run a half marathon
- in 2015 - all systems go!

Reportedly one of the hilliest and one of the hardest half marathon's in the country, I was actually looking forward to running the Watford Harriers organised Watford Half Marathon 2015!  After checking the weather (repeatedly) in the week leading up to the race, it turned out to be cold and windy, but no rain or snow.  So headed for the Cassiobury Park start.

Watford Half Marathon start

The start was fairly simple, lining up at the top of Cassiobury Park and then heading off down the big paths towards the canal and the centre of the park.  By this time the sun had started to break through and I was already starting to get hot (note to self - again - under no circumstances wear a running jacket whilst doing a half marathon!!!)

We broke out of the park for a bit of street running, with support at various points cheering us on, before emerging into the grounds of the Grove Hotel.  This part of the course was beautiful as we headed through and around the Grove golf course and grounds - but it was undulating and unbelievably hilly...  Down slopes, up slopes, through the tree lined roads and winding lanes, the course was spectacular and great fun with nice camaraderie as everyone gave each other encouraging words to help with the various uphill efforts!

Then back to the park for a big finish under the trees and a banner before heading into the finish area to receive a medal, a goody bag and a free Watford Half Marathon 'technical' t-shirt.  Not a PB, but I was pleased with my time of 1:47.53 and enjoyed the race immensely.

After a hot drink and some food (found in the well put together race village) I headed back to the car and photographed the remains of the start as it waited to be packed up and taken away - a fitting end to a good day!

Thank you Watford Half Marathon and I hope to see you again. 

Dubai Running - Jumeirah Beach 10km running route!

I visited Dubai in January for work and was able to do some running while I was there, running in the pleasant January temperature rather than trying to run in the extreme heat of the summer months!  I landed in torrential rain and lightning though which was a bit of a surprise (765 road accidents in just 8 hours), but it was spectacular like this image of Dubai lightning striking the Burj Khalifa:


...but this post is about Dubai running though, not Dubai weather, so back to the details of my Dubai running route!

I stayed in a business hotel (Media Rotana) near the Dubai Media City.  This was a nice hotel, but from an early morning running perspective it was complicated as it was surrounded by big, uncrossable roads - not the sort of thing to go running on... So I did my research and found out about one of the best places to run in Dubai - Jumeirah Beach - then got up early and took a taxi to the Dubai beachfront.

My Dubai running route - Jumeirah Beach

I got dropped off at Kite Beach and headed up the beach side running track towards Jumeirah Beach Park.  My out route was away from the Burj Al Arab hotel and towards the city skyline:

Dubai Running - towards Jumeirah Beach Park and the Dubai skyline

Dubai Running - Dubai skyline seen from Jumeirah Beach Park car park

Then at the Jumeirah Beach Park car park I turned round and headed back along the beach running track to the end near the Burj Al Arab:

Dubai Running - track back towards the Burj Al-Arab

Dubai Running - near the end of the track, approaching the Burj Al Arab

And when I say 'beach side running track' I mean that this was all on a perfect, rubberised, springy / bouncy running track that runs all along the top of the beach with boardwalk on one side and concrete path on the other!

Dubai Running track at Jumeirah Beach

Dubai Running track at Jumeirah Beach

Dubai Running track at Jumeirah Beach

Dubai running - beachside running track

The Jumeirah Beach running track follows the beach sometimes deviating off of it to go round a particular property / boat store etc but it continues and keeps going from one end to the other - a fabulous place to run and a place that has given me a great memory of my Dubai running!

Other points that I thought you might like to know:

- I couldn't tell from the map when I was trying to research a route so was pleasantly surprised to find that the nice green, beachside, bouncy path stretches out for a total length of around 6km.

- There weren't many places to stop to buy drinks on this route, but there are a couple of cafes at Kite Beach if you need a rest or a drink

- I wasn't sure what I should be wearing but there was a mix - people dressed in US / European type running gear as well as some people who were more conservatively dressed (I was in tshirt and shorts and it was fine)

- There was then no trouble getting a taxi back to the hotel as I found one waiting in the car park at the Burj Al Arab end of the track!  (Then it was quickly back to the hotel for a shower and breakfast and into the office to start the day.)  I don't know what this would be like in the hotter months, but this was a great Dubai running route and a great way to start a day.

Let me know in the comments if this was helpful or leave a comment to tell people where you run or what you have done in Dubai!

Asics 'Outrun the sun' - a series of 4 films on YouTube

Asics have released an interesting documentary split into 4 parts that have been simultaneously released onto YouTube.

Called 'Outrun The Sun', the Asics Running films detail the efforts of a team of runners on the longest day of the year as they aimed to 'Outrun The Sun' around Mont Blanc.

The challenge was to finish the 152km mountain terrain route between sunrise and sunset.  The route climbs 8450 metres over the course of the day and travels through France, Italy and Switzerland.

Enjoy all four of the Asics 'Outrun The Sun' films below...

Asics 'Outrun The Sun' part one:


Asics 'Outrun The Sun' part two:


Asics 'Outrun The Sun' part three:


Asics 'Outrun The Sun' part four:


Enjoy!

#RaceTheTube - can a runner beat a London underground train in a race?

A video that seems to be getting a lot of coverage today is a video that shows one man racing against a London underground tube train.  The 'Sprint' version of the #racethetube film on YouTube sees a runner racing 390 metres from Mansion House station to Cannon Street station as he attempts to 'race the tube.'


Another YouTube film in the #racethetube series sees another man running from Moorgate station to St. James Park in an attempt to race the tube in an endurance version of #racethetube!


Very silly and probably not particularly safe, but the way they have filmed it makes for entertaining YouTube content. Not something I'll be trying, I'll stick to trying to #racethebus...