STARR – 25-Miler, February 27, 2021

Danny’s last step

By Leslie Ann Bent

Andy finished!

What does it take to do 25 miles?  Just ask STARR members Andy Smith and Danny Eddy. Yesterday was a new STARR virtual event – the 25-miler (40k).  The morning was crisp and a cool zero degrees.  Frost was still clinging the grass along the Galloping Goose by the time Danny started out. While many of us were home enjoying our morning coffee or tea, by 7am Danny was at km 44 on the Goose to commence his 40 km trek.  The official course started at the Poleyard on Sooke River Road (km 44), headed north to the km 55 post near Leechtown.  Then after turning, retraced the course to the Poleyard and continued out to the 35km marker at Roche Cove and back to the 44km marker. The course proved to be a beautiful and quiet route for a Saturday. The sun came out too.

Jackie offered to be the official photographer, sag-wagon and mobile water and refueling station.  By 8:45, I joined the support team to tackle the second half of the route to cheer on our participants.  An hour later, Andy joined up and started his run towards Leechtown.

With no crowds and no competition breathing down your neck, it can sometimes be a challenge to motivate yourself. Sometimes just knowing there is an event and others out there, can encourage you to tackle something new.  I’ve asked Andy and Danny for their thoughts on this event. Both completed the 40km faster than their target goals despite the lack of a formal race.

Andy said his favourite part was the Leechtown area.  The route was so quiet and the view of the river stunning.  His legs and lungs felt good. It was a challenge since his longest run in a while had been 28km. This route really stretched his distance considerably.  It was nice to see Jackie and he benefited from a water stop complements to her.  He saw some other STARR members out too – Claude, Mark and Leslie Ann.

Danny said he took it on for the inspiration and challenge. He felt it was an achievable challenge on a route that doesn’t get much better than the Goose with a variety of terrain – Sooke Hills, Sooke Basin, ups and down, open spaces, and forests. He appreciated having water and chocolate along the route complements of Jackie. It was obviously wonderful to hit the 44km marker indicating the end!

Jonathan

I ran into Jonathan doing his own unofficial 25-miler not far past the return from Roche Cove. His route included Quimper! Another group of STARR runners were out – Vanessa, Kari, Megen, and Maggie. A nice day on the Goose for STARR. Danny was in perfect easy stride when I saw him on the second part of the route. Andy was smiling and had a steady rhythm as he passed Jackie and me on part 2.

Official results:

Andy Smith (runner) 3:18:51

Danny Eddy (walker) 7:36

Unofficial route

Jonathan D (43km) 5:12

 Congratulations to Danny and Andy for their star performances. You inspire us!

On the Road to Athens

Galloping Goose Personal Half Marathon

By Maggie

Watching the smiling STARRS rack up the kilometres during the Vancouver Island Circuit Challenge and May Marathon Madness fired me up. Although I was injured for much of it, reading Leslie-Ann’s reports, chatting with members online, watching Megen’s girls hiking away, and (of course) seeing everyone’s footage for the video inspired me. So when I was fully recovered, I decided to try a half marathon--not for any virtual race, but just so I would know that I did it.

I was up to 20km towards the end of July, when I had another fall at Elk lake and it moved my training back. The half marathon was not to happen by my birthday as planned. My personal theme over the last few years has been finding the balance between accepting what I am able to do in the moment and pushing myself safely to be the strongest I can be. So I tried to shake off the fall and keep moving towards my goal.

On August 19, starting in the morning fog, I completed a whole 21.43 kilometres on the Galloping Goose. My original plan had been to run from the poleyard to Matheson and back, but a spasming calf muscle made me decide to turn back at Sooke road and keep closer to the parking lot (just in case). The muscle spasms started at 3 kilometres and forced me to stop, stretch and walk and contemplate the possibility that it might NOT be my day after all. However, after the third time stopping, stretching and walking, the spasms subsided and I was able to keep going for the last 15km (except a couple of short water/Gatorade walks). My new route included a couple of out and backs to the second trestle. My time was 2:36:57.

As the fall and winter begin to descend on us, likely without live races, I hope the club can focus on how we can encourage each other in our training within the “new normal.” For me, creating a goal for myself, sharing it with others and then celebrating my success has been a wonderful experience. If I hadn’t told every single person that I talked to about my half-marathon plans, I may have waffled at the last minute (I don’t think I would have, but I will never know). Also, when I see members running and smiling and doing their best, it makes me want to do the same! So a big thank you to all of STARR for your support on my journey.

STARRs Crush Mizuno Midsummer Virtual 5K

July 9th was a beautiful night for an evening race, and some STARR members gave all they had on a flat out and back 5km route for the Mizuno Midsummer Virtual 5k.  4 STARRs participated in the race: Steve Eriksen, Maggie Curtis, Megen Seysener and Nicola Turner.  Maggie, Steve and Megen ran on July 9 on the Galloping Goose trail from the poleyard on Sooke River Road towards the trestle bridge.  Nicola did her 5km in her neighbourhood (Steeplechase, Caffery, Church and trail to Seaparc) on the fine morning of July 12 in the company of her twin sister.

Steve Eriksen led the pack with an outstanding time of 21:30, coming in 8th overall in his age category (40-49).

Maggie Curtis came in at 33:00, with Nicola right behind at 33:20. Megen Seysener ran a 39:48.  Megen’s dog Sprout also ran a 39:48 and although not officially registered for the race, we are proud of her efforts.

Toryn, Brynn, and Jason came out to view the excitement on July 9.  Louie also made an appearance, and seeing his face seemed to give Sprout that extra push at the end. 

This virtual event had some great swag, including Mizuno running shoes and Goodr sunglasses, as can be seen above in the photos.

385 people participated in the event, with many racers coming from Edmonton where it was organized by the Running Room.

With many “in person” races being canceled due to Covid 19, virtual races are becoming more popular and the Mizuno 5km was well organized with runners from all over Canada taking part.

Steve, Maggie, Megen (and Sprout) rocking some strong finishes!

STARR May Marathon Madness Results

Megen, Teresa and Magge - 4 marathons!

By Leslie Ann Bent

May was a fantastic marathon month for STARR, with some great mileage and some inspiring virtual marathons and ultras.  Our final report shows:

·       31 runners and walkers participating including children – 20 female (65%) and 11 men (35%)

·       5,330km covered in 31 days – that’s more than 126 marathons!

Brynn - 3 marathons!

·       We’ve had 4 marathon memory write ups, 1 half marathon recap, and 2 virtual marathon stories.

·       We also had 7 youth clocking the kms with their parents. Nice to see the youth out.

Top Competitors

Female –1st Pauline (283.8k), 2nd Emily (273.7k), 3rd Megen (182.3k), honorable mention Teresa (182k)

Male – 1st Danny (710k), 2nd Greg B (421K), 3rd Greg C (365.6K), honorable mention Robin (323k)

Special recognition prizes

Glow Stick Award goes to someone who brightens everyone’s day – Maggie

Abacus Award goes to someone we can count on, for all his behind the scenes work for MMM - Robin

Mountaineer Award for many vertical (reported) kms – Carol with 21,000 vertical meters of climbing

Cheerleader Award for those who cheered on our runners the most on the STARR website and Facebook –  tie, Jenny and Jim G

Father’s Day award for a father inspiring his children in fitness – Steve E. for encouraging his 2 daughters (ages 9 and 12)

Running with the Bulls Award for the runner who takes the most risks with trying new and challenging routes – Many are looking forward to those challenges again when we can run together - Jackie

Leslie Ann and Andy

Winners will be contacted by email to receive their prizes.  Megen and I will be reaching out to winners for pick up or delivery later this week. We must say that Danny has earned his Man-Sized Treat Basket hand-created by Megen including a beverage or two if you believe the rumours. She calls it “Take the Load off Danny.”  In among Pauline’s prizes is the book “Running with the Kenyans: Discovering the Secrets of the Fastest People on Earth.”

So, what marathons have we virtually completed?  There have been so many so I will just name a few. Danny added a marathon for each province in the second half of the month. Carol and Wayne both tackled ultras. Wayne completed the Squamish 50 miler and Carol the Canadian Death Race plus the Lost & Found 30k. Jackie stayed close to home with the Victoria, Vancouver and Port Angeles marathons. We did lose Donna somewhere on the Goose at the half way point!  She is still out there somewhere, I hope. Ken, Mark and I all did Dublin. Andy tackled Barcelona and Boston. I am half way through the Loch Ness Marathon and I am still looking for the Loch Ness Monster.  I haven’t found it yet.

Here are the results to May 31

Ultras: Wayne (105km into the race), Carol (155km)

How many marathons?

Completed 10 or more: Danny (16.8), Greg B (10)

Completed 6 or more: Greg C (8.7), Robin (7.7), Pauline (6.7), Emily (6.5)

LIla and running companion Maisy

Completed 4 or more: Jim G (4.4), Andy (4.4), Megen (4.3), Teresa (4.3), Mark (4.2), Maggie (4.2)

Completed 3 or more: Jackie (3.9), Steve E & Carol (3.7), Leslie Ann (3.6), Lila (3.4), Stephanie (3.3) , Vanessa, Toryn and Brynn (3.1)

Under 3: Wayne (2.5), Kari (2.3), Ken (2.1) Jenny (1.6), Jodie (1.4) Willow, Haley & Jesse Wow a marathon! And Skyler wow a half marathon!

Congratulations to everyone.  A special high-five to the youth who showed grit and determination.  All will receive treat bags made by Megen as well as certificated designed by Maggie and signed by our president.

Toryn - I’m done!

May Marathon Madness: Virtual Yukon River Trail Marathon

Ken’s Marathon Madness – a few memories and virtual racing

Rin and Ken at Athens Marathon

By Ken Pungente

Hello all! Here are my thoughts and experiences about marathons. First, my own bucket list of marathons which will now only happen virtually as I'm getting too old to risk another actual one:

1. Istanbul Marathon that goes from Asia. This is one of my virtual marathons this month as I run along West Coast Rd. & pass into Sooke from Otter Point - that's me going from Asia to Europe. https://worldsmarathons.com/marathon/istanbul-marathon

2. Midnight Marathon in Tromso, Norway. It is one that I was planning to do with one of my angels, Leigh Walters but never happened, so again this is my second virtual marathon this month because I'm still waiting for it to warm up here. When I left Sicily at the end of January, it was in the high teens to low 20s. I talked to a friend there 2 days ago and it was about 35C. https://www.msm.no/en/

3. Budapest Marathon, Hungary https://marathon.runinbudapest.com/

4. Great Wall of China Marathon, but you only do about 2km on the Wall https://great-wall-marathon.com/

Ken and cousin Ronan

In reality, I've done two marathons. My first was in Dublin 2009, three years after I had open heart surgery with 5 by-passes, which I did with my cousin Ronan, which was also his first. Okay, Okay, first I have to stop here to tell you something about myself. Although my last name is Italian as is my father, my mother was born in Dublin, Ireland, which made for a pretty fiery youth for me. The Dublin marathon is very picturesque, relatively flat and a full circle. You leave the heart of Dublin and pass over the famous Liffey River (2 blocks from where my grandmother was born) and head out towards Phoenix Park. One thing about a full circle or point to point marathon, as apposed to an out & back is when your my age, you don't have to watch the elite runners heading home when I've still got 2/3 of my race to finish. So, if some of you are waiting to do your first take that into consideration. The other thing I noticed at the start of the race was here I was in my shirt and shorts and I see all these people with expense jackets, gloves, water belts, timing gadgets & I felt like a amateur. But when I got to the 34 to 35km mark I saw all that fancy stuff thrown of to the side of the road to shed weight, because that last 8km all comes from inside you and that's where your training will kick in. The year I ran it 12,000 registered, but 10,437 finished.

My next and last marathon was in Athens the following year, 2010, which starts in the town of Marathon and ends in the Olympic Stadium in Athens. It is where the concept of the marathon comes from, following the path of the soldier Pheidippides who was sent from Marathon to Athens to announce the winning of the battle against the Persians. For this marathon I was joined with a good friend Rintge Raap, a fellow STARR who I trained with for years who has ended his path last year. In this run Rin caught up with me around the 33km mark. We ran for a couple of kms together but I was feeling sick in this race so he went ahead & greeted me at the finish. Although it is a hard marathon going uphill from 10km to 30km the finish is worth the effort. The last 100 or so meters is in the oval Panathenaic Stadium first built in 144AD & renovated for the 1896 modern day Olympics which is made of all marble. I believe it holds about 80,000 people. This is where I slowed right down and tried to imagine the stands full of people cheering me on (as I've said before it's all about the accolades, I've got lots of hardware). The results? In 2010, 12,000 registered, 10,371 finished. A marathon is no easy task so if you've done one be proud, unless your one of those people who dress up in firemen or military gear, or carry a ball & chain or dress like a marijuana leaf, but those are the same people who do those Ultras & for them it is like a walk in the park. We know your names.

Stay hungry. Stay foolish,

Ken P.

May Marathon Madness: Virtual Walt Disney World Marathon

May Marathon Madness: Andy’s Jungfrau Marathon

By Andy Smith

Last week I completed my first virtual marathon as part of STARR’s May “Marathon Madness” event. I would like to tell you about a favourite marathon called the Jungfrau Marathon. In 2004 Leslie Ann and I took a family vacation to Europe with Leslie’s parents and her brother and sister-in-law. We chose the scenic town of Interlaken in Switzerland. Nestled in the Swiss Alps Interlaken literally means “between lakes” and it’s a popular tourist destination. It’s also the start line for the famous Jungfrau marathon, a unique race up the Jungfrau mountain as far as you can get on foot. Our trip coincided with the event, so Leslie and I decided to register! Destination marathons like The Jungfrau are a great way of combining a vacation and also a running event. Indulging in local cuisine is less guilt-inducing once you have run a marathon!

This race is different than any other we have attempted. The spectacular route is uniquely challenging due to the altitude, vertical, and mixed terrain. The Jungfrau is known for its spectacular scenery. Limited to 4000 runners it sells out every year. The Jungfrau peak is 4000m high and is sister to the Eiger and Monch. These three mountains make up a trio of famous Swiss peaks in the Bernese Alps. The marathon course climbs 1800 meters, from the village of Interlaken gradually following a mountain stream through the scenic villages of Bonigen, Wilderswill, and Lauterbrunnen, before turning violently vertical up the famous Wengen ski hill; home to iconic world cup downhill skiing races. At the top of the ski hill the course continues above the treeline along an alpine plateau before the final stretch of the course climbs single file up an esker from the mountain pass at Kleine Scheidegg to the finish line at the foot of a glacier at Jungfraujoch, sometimes called “the top of Europe” where there is a spectacular view across the alps. The scenery on this last part of the course is breath taking as there is a vertical drop off on either side. No passing, even if you still have the legs and lungs to make the attempt!

We were warned at the pre-race dinner to add an hour to normal marathon pace. Important because there are time cut-offs along the course. Tempting as it may be to take photos of the mountain scenery, many runners are disappointed to get cut off every year. If you are planning to run a fast time its important to pass other racers early in the race as the course gets progressively narrower and steeper as the race progresses. The last kilometers are steep and single file. On race day we were blessed with sunny weather as we passed flag dancers, alpine horn players, and locals cheering and ringing cowbells as we ran through postcard villages on our way to the foot of Wengen. From there the route turns from a road into a hiking trail gaining vertical rapidly as we ran-hiked up switchbacks past the treeline. The terrain constantly changes as you climb from forest to alpine meadows, ending up at the foot of the glacier on mountain rock and gravel. Scenic Swiss farms dot the lower and middle part of the course with cows wearing bells like a scene out of “Heidi” or “The Sound of Music”. A famous narrow gauge alpine railway carries spectators to the top of the course and competitors back down (it took 17 years to build!). The sense of occasion takes the sting out of your legs. It’s hard to focus on your footing when there is so much to look at! I paced myself for the final climb and arrived at the finish exhausted but exhilarated. It was wonderful to see Leslie waiting for me at the finish line (unfortunately she was one of the unlucky one’s to get cut-off).

The sense of accomplishment crossing the finish line at the foot of a glacier is hard to explain. I marvelled at the vertical as we descended the railway back down the mountain. As predicted my time was about one hour slower than my previous marathons, but it remains my favourite marathon.

As I add kilometers this month, either here in Shirley, up in Sidney, or along the galloping Goose it’s fun to reflect on some of the events we have been fortunate to have participated in. I’m still thinking about my next virtual marathon course…. maybe Dublin…. or Barcelona? If you would like to run a virtual Jungfrau marathon, check out the course map on the web along with the great photos. Here are a couple of mine!

Andy.

https://www.jungfrau-marathon.ch/en/race-infos.html

May Marathon Madness: Cape Cod Marathon 1987

By Mark Ziegler

This week I intend to finish a virtual Cape Cod Marathon. This challenge brings back memories of the same race which I ran in 1987, back when my legs were stronger, I puffed less on hills and had more confidence as a runner.

The marathon was on November 15th , south of Boston, in the historic port town of Falmouth, Massachusetts, about half way up Cape Cod.  The morning was cold and bright, with a light wind off the sea.  More than 400 runners lined up on the main street for the 8:00 am start.  The coffee shops looked warm and snug – many of us wondered why we weren’t inside with a Sunday paper and a steaming mug.

I had tried to qualify for the Boston Marathon seven weeks earlier in Montreal.  My start was too fast and I was already suffering at 21 km.  I ended up walking and jogging to the finish, feeling depressed and embarrassed.  After the race, I decided to “re-group” and use my base level of fitness to train for another race that fall.  Cape Cod, the New England championship, was the obvious choice.  On weekends and in the dark after work I ran along winding bike routes in Ottawa.

So Cape Cod was another chance to qualify for Boston!  I decided to run a smart race – at a set pace that would bring me in under three hours.  I kept monitoring my breathing, my legs and my overall energy level. It did not matter when other runners passed me. The important thing was to stay on pace.

The course was beautiful, with rolling hills covered with pine forests, brilliant red cranberry marshes, long sand beaches and villages dating back to well before the American Revolution.

My strategy thankfully worked.  With two miles to go, as I passed the lighthouse at the turn into Falmouth, I knew that I could make my target time.  A powerful woman was running a few hundred metres ahead and a little voice tempted me to go for broke by trying to catch her.  It didn’t help that my brother-in-law, Gerard, was very worried that I was cutting it too close!  I decided to stay with the same pace and trust in the digits on my Casio watch.

I crossed the line at 2:58:40. It was not my fastest marathon but it was the most satisfying. There was both joy and relief at the finish. 

https://capecodmarathon.com/

May Marathon Madness Memory: Flora London Marathon 2007

By Leslie Ann Bent

The STARR Marathon Madness month has inspired me to reflect back on some of our memorable marathons. Andy, our close friend, Dave, and I were doing an annual marathon together each year in that era. By 2005, I’d accomplished 5 marathons including 3 of the world’s 6 major marathons with them. So, why not pick a 4th of the 6 we thought? After Chicago, New York City and Berlin, the next obvious choice was London. There were a ton of reasons to select it – the sights, the location and the event itself. The race was well organized and provided a good location for exploring parts of the UK after the race. This would be our first spring marathon together. It was difficult training through the Ontario winter and thus we showed up not quite trained (ok, not trained) but ready never-the-less for a marathon adventure. I bought matching tech shirts and using fabric paint, made our own signature race shirts. I admit it, Megen I am not but we wore them anyhow. We arrived two days before the race in hopes of acclimatizing ourselves to the time zone and ridding ourselves of jetlag.

The London marathon is interesting right from the start. With over 35,000 runners, the event has three start lines to accommodate the mass of athletes. You must know which start-line is yours as they are in different locations and converge about 2.8 miles into the race. The start is in Greenwich and winds its way around London finishing on the Mall at the House of Parliament, just beyond Buckingham Palace. The marathon is a point-to-point race and is fairly flat. It attracts runners looking to run a personal best. The prize money is good and so elite runners are also part of the field each year. According to an article I read, the London Marathon holds the Guinness World record for the largest fundraising event in the world. About a third of the runners are running for a charity. Those charity runners know how to create elaborate costumes too. We saw many – a chain gang of 16 runners tied together (imagine running for 42.2km tied to 15 other runners), a rhino and a gorilla among many others.

Race day started with an early breakfast and decent commute to Greenwich. The temperature was hot at the start for a London April morning – about 16C. There was a wide-open field for us to mill around in before the race. At that point we were able to observe the competition. Many runners were in costume. Many were warming up. We just sat and chewed the fat until the race started. I don’t think we intimidated anyone with our internal winter padding.

Courtesy of The Telegraph

I don’t recall all of the race in detail but what I do remember is that within the first few kilometers, I was passed by a huge boulder. The boulder was set up with a spindle handle through the middle that a runner on each side used to roll the round 350-pound boulder and a guy at the front pulling it. Later I learned that the runner was a past soccer player raising money for Leukemia and he modeled his costume and challenge around a scene from an Indiana Jones movie. Other runners were invited to help him roll the boulder along the course. I didn’t volunteer. I had my own challenges with a less than ideal training behind me.

I also recall the sound of thousands of feet pounding the pavement as we approached the converging runners. We could hear the feet long before we could see the runners. Quite frankly, it sounded like thunder. The crowds and volunteers were enthusiastic. The scenery well worth it.

The course really gets exciting as you cross the Tower Bridge. The bridge is a well-known landmark. It also marks the halfway mark. Balloons decorate the bridge, spectators cheer wildly, and this point you can start to see other points of interest. The sun was hot that day with no clouds in sight, and a temperature climbing to 22C by the time I hit the bridge. I took my time alternating walking and running.

I passed the Tower of London, St Georges in the East, hugged the Thames River for a while, saw Canary Warf, Blackfriars Bridge, crossed under the Waterloo Bridge and then saw Big Ben before the grand finale. By this point I was dead tired and my legs and feet were killing me. Once I saw Buckingham Palace, I knew I had less than a kilometer to go. I was parched. The water had run out. Before I knew it, I was on the Mall. I saw the House of Parliament and the finishing chute. Whoohoo. With renewed energy, I did my famous sprint to the finish line. As I crossed the line, I was smiling. Andy was waiting for me, freshly showered and dressed cheering me on. Dave was having a power snooze in St James Park. All was good but my poor tired legs.

A marathon of this size in highly unlikely this year. Who knows what is in store post-Coronavirus. Currently the event has been moved from April to October 2020. We would highly recommend this for the experience if ever you get the chance. It is not the race though for social distancing in its current form.

https://www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/

Courtesy of The Telegraph

May Marathon Madness: Marrakesh Half Marathon 2016

I don’t honestly consider myself a runner but I run. I run for various reasons including fitness, scenic beauty of the places I run, peacefulness, solitude and conversely for camaraderie when running with friends. I started running as a new fitness challenge about 20 years ago. I enjoy being active and with running, you can do it anywhere given a pair of running shoes are at your disposal. That first learn-to-run clinic in Oakville, Ontario was challenging. I was breathing hard within the first minute or two of the run. I didn’t notice my surroundings. I didn’t hear the birds or the traffic. I couldn’t take in the neighbourhood smells of the downtown restaurants. All I could hear was my heavy breathing, my feet pounding the pavement and I suspect that my inner voice asking that all encompassing question, “Why am I doing this?”

Package pickup

Twenty years later, I have more reasons to run. A few years ago, we ran the half marathon in Marrakesh, Morocco after touring the country for about 10 days. It was an opportunity to see a corner of the world, experience a bit of culture while accomplishing a fitness goal with my husband, Andy. Against the backdrop of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, I ran beside runners decked in hijabs and djellabas, men and women wearing everything from short shorts to long pants, and skin shades representing the globe.

The January 20 degree heat didn’t faze me at first despite the sub-zero temperatures back in Oakville at this time of the year. I zigzagged around donkey carts and behind trucks spouting exhaust liked I’d never breathed in before, choking and gagging me at times. I ran by rose gardens and orange tress. I had time to think about the highs of this Moroccan vacation of the past two weeks. Lost in my thoughts, I meandered by people-filled markets, and coffee shops with men sitting outside solving modern world problems through the heavy smoke of their cigarettes and sips of strong sweet black coffee. I saw kids playing soccer. Running is the one time of any day that gives me solitude and inner reflection. Time to plan, time to appreciate what I have, and time to just enjoy the moment. At moments during my race that day, the thousands of people around me faded and I was alone with my thoughts. I love that. Despite the 21.1km of hard work, huffing and puffing, walking when my lungs or legs were too tired, feeling the heat of day, I still remember that sense of satisfaction crossing that finish line, grinning ear to ear, with a smiling patient husband, Andy offering me my water bottle once I was on the other side of the finish line and done. I had found that inner strength to sprint that last 100 meters when moments before, I was dragging my carcass as if my energy was completely depleted. The good endorphins also pop their heads out, but only when I’ve taken my last step on that road to completion and wearing finishing medal around my neck.

I hope that you too, can find your peace with running, be it for competition, fun, meditative reasons or eventually back to it being a social activity.  Stay tune for some marathon stories in coming weeks, especially if you are new to running.

https://marrakechmarathon.com/

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