THE RUNNING MANN
C o l u m n
Travel Idea : Run the most northern , eastern , southern and western marathons in South Africa , and one in the middle , too Most Northern : Two Countries Marathon
Most Eastern : Hippo Marathon
Most Western : West Coast Marathon
Most Southern : Voet van Afrika Marathon
Most Central : Any marathon in Bloemfontein will do !
Setting Local Goals
Here are some running ideas or challenges to consider building into your 2024 New Year ’ s resolutions if you aspire to become a marathon running tourist and want to start with some local expeditions .
• Aim to run a marathon in every province .
• Run at least three marathons you ’ ve never run before .
• Run a marathon in all 17 South African athletics provinces . Take note that some of our official provinces are broken into smaller athletics provinces , e . g . Gauteng consists of Gauteng North , Central Gauteng and the Vaal Triangle . ( As far as I know , I am the only person to have run a marathon in all 17 , although there are a couple of people on 16 .)
• Run the most northern ( Two Countries , if it ’ s on , or Shikumba Filling if it ’ s not ), most eastern ( Hippo ), southern ( Voet van Afrika ) and western ( Weskus ) marathons . For good measure , add a marathon in the dead centre of South Africa – any marathon in Bloemfontein will do .
• Draw up a budget to run an international ‘ big city ’ marathon like London , but don ’ t enter ( or get rejected in the ballot ), then spend the same amount of money travelling around South Africa running local marathons .
Top Tips for SA Marathon Tourists
• Move to Gauteng , as it ’ s the best base to run lots of marathons from … but make plans to get out of Gauteng most weekends .
• Find a running buddy to travel with . If our running plans coincide , I often travel with Julian Karp , whose running obsession makes mine pale into insignificance .
• Find an affordable B & B that will allow you a late checkout to shower after the race . ( I ’ ve found small town accommodation remarkably accommodating ).
• If you ’ re travelling with your family , let your spouse choose the accommodation . ( Note : Lesson learnt the hard way on this one !)
• Is a holiday without a marathon really a holiday ? Make sure every holiday is front-loaded with a marathon , and then spend the rest of your vacation in guilt-free debauchery .
• If you ’ re on Discovery Vitality , with 75 % local flight discounts , use them on expensive flight routings like Mthatha and Upington .
• Aim to have a good time , not a fast time . If you run your marathons well within yourself , not only can you mingle with the laid-back country folk , but you can run a lot more marathons !
• Beer cans are much easier to transport than beer bottles .
Images : Courtesy Stuart Mann
: International ballot entry rejected ? Spend your race budget on South African running tourism instead
Keep it social and save on travel costs by Karpooling with a running buddy , like my good friend Julian Karp
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