How these ‘Big Six’ running holidays allow you to see the world
The six majors – Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo – as well as other races around the world provide the opportunity for a ‘runcation’ – a holiday planned around a race
There are many reasons fitness-minded travellers like to go for a run during a holiday. They may want to stay in shape on the road, burn off extra calories, explore new places, or simply maintain their fitness routines. But a “runcation” is more than just squeezing a run into your itinerary; it’s to plan for a holiday around a race or experience.
You don’t need to be a devoted athlete or running enthusiast to enjoy the benefits of a runcation either, as the average runners can also enjoy the sights and sounds of a city and the fun of running together with thousands of other runners. These experiences will certainly make your holiday memorable.
When it comes to a runcation, most runners prefer to join a major running event, such as a marathon, instead of exploring new places on their own. Today, most major cities around the world have their own marathon. Called big city marathons, these races are usually better organised and attract thousands of participants. As these events usually take place in the city centre, there is also an opportunity to explore the different parts of the city with cheering spectators lining the course.
Runners from Hong Kong can be found at virtually all major marathons across the world, particularly the “Big Six” (The six World Marathon Majors of Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo), which are high on the bucket list of most runners. Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Sydney and Bangkok are among the most popular city marathons in the Asia-Pacific. The Osaka Marathon in December has remained the most popular event for Hongkongers, attracting around 1,500 runners from the city each year.
Planning a runcation is vastly different than any other holiday. You should start early because registration for a marathon usually closes a few months before the race. For most marathons, you can apply on the official website during the registration period. Entries are usually allocated on first-come-first-served or ballot basis. For marathons such as Boston and New York, runners also need to meet various qualifying times. You also need to book accommodation as early as possible because hotel rooms near the starting point of a big race usually fill up quickly, sometimes as soon as the date is announced. You also need to arrive the destination at least a day before the race to collect your race package.
