Epic Runs of the World

Synopsis

Put on your running shoes - it's time to hit the road, the trails and the great outdoors.

In this comprehensive runner's companion, you'll find 50 of the world's greatest running routes - from short city runs and must-do marathons to cross-country trails and challenging ultras - plus a further 150 courses around the globe to satisfy runners of all abilities.

Each run is accompanied by stunning photos and a map and toolkit of practical details - where to start and finish, how to get there, where to stay and more - to help you plan the perfect trip. Suggestions for similar runs around the world are also included.

Organised by continent, Lonely Planet's Epic Runs of the World takes runners past giraffes, zebras and rhinos in Africa, along courses the length of Vancouver's Stanley Park Seawall in the Americas, offers spectacular views of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak in Asia and jogs along Rome's Tiber River in Europe, while inviting athletes to push themselves to the limit in Oceania's Blue Mountains Ultra.

Runs in Africa include:

• The Lewa Safari Marathon (Kenya)
• Marathon Des Sables (Morocco)
• The Great Ethiopian Run
• The Comrades Ultramarathon (South Africa)

Run in the Americas include:

• The Big Sur Marathon (USA)
• Havana's El Malecon (Cuba)
• Rio at Dawn (Brazil)
• An Illuminating Ascent in La Paz (Bolivia)

Runs in Asia include:

• The Great Wall Marathon (China)
• Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Cambodia)
• A Temple Ascent in Pokhara (Nepal)
• Kyoto's Riverside (Japan)

Runs in Europe include:

• Amalfi Coast's Path of the Gods (Italy)
• A Classic Fell Run in the Lakes (England)
• The Athens Marathon (Greece)
• Dublin's Wild Side (Ireland)

Runs in Oceania include:

• Great Ocean Road Marathon (Australia)
• The Kepler Track (New Zealand)
• Freycinet Peninsula (Tasmania)
• A Ghost Run in Waihi Gorge (New Zealand)

About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim Run

* Summary: A grueling 43-mile run rim-to-rim and back across the Grand Canyon's North and South Rims.
* Real Example: Scott Jaime, a veteran ultrarunner, set the fastest known time (FKT) of 5 hours, 54 minutes in 2017. He required extensive training and meticulous preparation for the extreme heat, elevation, and technical terrain.

Chapter 2: The Everest Marathon

* Summary: A challenging 26.2-mile race held on the slopes of Mount Everest, reaching an altitude of 5,364 meters (17,598 feet).
* Real Example: Kanchhi Maya Koju, a Nepali runner, became the first woman to win the Everest Marathon in 2019. She overcame altitude sickness and the treacherous conditions to triumph.

Chapter 3: The Jungle Ultra

* Summary: A 230-mile ultramarathon through the dense rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon.
* Real Example: Lael Wilcox, an American cyclist, completed the Jungle Ultra in 10 days, 19 hours in 2017. She faced extreme humidity, mud, and wildlife encounters along the way.

Chapter 4: The Leadville 100

* Summary: A legendary 100-mile mountain ultramarathon in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado.
* Real Example: Zach Miller, a former Marine, set a course record of 14 hours, 37 minutes in 2022. He attributed his success to years of training and a strong support crew.

Chapter 5: The Sahara Ultra

* Summary: A 250-mile footrace across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
* Real Example: Franco Maria D'Angelo, an Italian athlete, won the inaugural Sahara Ultra in 203 hours, 42 minutes in 2007. He endured extreme temperatures, sandstorms, and dehydration.

Chapter 6: The Montane Yukon Arctic Ultra

* Summary: A 494-mile wilderness ultramarathon in Yukon, Canada, held in frigid winter conditions.
* Real Example: Ray Zahab, a Canadian adventurer, won the race in 2017, covering the distance in 4 days, 19 hours, and 49 minutes. He used custom-designed gear and adopted survival techniques to cope with the sub-freezing temperatures.

Chapter 7: The Antarctic Ice Marathon

* Summary: A 26.2-mile marathon on the frozen continent of Antarctica.
* Real Example: Colin O'Brady, an American explorer, became the first person to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon in 2016, enduring fierce winds and icy terrain. He used skis and specialized clothing to navigate the extreme environment.

Chapter 8: The Badwater 135

* Summary: A relentless 135-mile ultramarathon through Death Valley, the hottest and driest place in North America.
* Real Example: Sarah Hansel, a British runner, set a new world record for women in 2020, finishing in 23 hours, 56 minutes. She employed a cooling strategy involving ice packs and electrolytes.

Chapter 9: The Marathon des Sables

* Summary: A six-day, 156-mile stage race through the deserts of southern Morocco.
* Real Example: Rachid El Morabity, a Moroccan runner, has won the Marathon des Sables a record 10 times. He credits his success to his desert upbringing and unwavering determination.

Chapter 10: The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)

* Summary: A 100-mile mountain ultramarathon that traverses the French, Italian, and Swiss Alps.
* Real Example: Françoix D'Haene, a French runner, has won the UTMB four times, including a record-setting performance in 2014. He is known for his endurance and adaptability in alpine environments.