Runner’s World UK – September 2019

6 RUNNER’S WORLD

KAUAI HALF MARATHON

Kauai, part of the

Hawaiian archipelago,

is not named ‘the

garden isle’ for

nothing. Combine

running with a little

rest and relaxation in

a place for which the

word ‘paradise’ seems

fitting. Starting on the

south shore of Kauai,

you’ll run along the

pristine coastline,

soaking up views of

the island’s beaches,

volcanic peaks and

tropical rainforests,

before returning

to Poipu Beach.

Afterwards, visit

Waimea Canyon,

nicknamed the Grand

Canyon of the Pacific.

September 1,

thekauaimarathon.com

RIO DE JANEIRO

CITY MARATHON

A point-to-point

marathon starting in

Recreio, west of the

centre, and finishing

in Flamengo, this

exhilarating race

heads through the

heart of Brazil’s

stunning coastal city,

offering views of the

Atlantic Ocean on

one side and the Serra

do Mar mountains on

the other. Add to that

the carnival-inspired

crowds – more than

100,000 people turn

out to watch – and

thrilling final stretch

and you’re guaranteed

to have a ball. And

maybe a caipirinha.

June 2020 (date tbc),

maratonadorio.com

VOLCANO MARATHON

If you’ve always

harboured a desire

to be an astronaut,

this otherworldly race

across the Atacama

Desert in Chile will

appeal. In the driest

non-polar place on

earth (the Dry Valleys

of Antarctica take top

spot), and beginning

at an altitude of

almost 5,000m, you’ll

run over sand dunes

and through surreal,

lunar-like landscapes

bathed in red, pink and

gold, with volcanoes

in the distance.

Temp er ature s rea ch

an energy-sapping

30C so don’t forget

your hydration pack.

November 5, 2020,

volcanomarathon.com

CHINA COAST

MARATHON

This two-lap marathon

takes in the sights

and sounds of Hong

Kong, starting and

finishing in Pak Tam

Chung. Described by

marathon great Ron

Hill as the toughest

marathon he’s ever

run (he won the

inaugural event

in 1981), it’s a hilly

course but that at

least means you get

some stunning views.

The record on the

current course,

2:38:44, was set

back in 1989 by Kevin

Ball, which is a good

indication of what

you can expect.

January 2020 (date tbc),

avohk.org

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