Races around the world

[Amex]

I am aware that a few of us if not all travel about a bit.
i am also aware that i for one want to race when i can so on a recent trip to Hong Kong i came across this KOTH link at bottom of page:
18.5 km half marathon or 30 odd full one, fantastic day out if not up to Lakes standard a good 1350 m height gain on the half one, but the difficult part was that because of the heavy monsoon type rains all downs were stepped very difficult to make any time up, over 300 turned up the entry fee was 100 HK$ about £8.20 for this you got 3 water stations with water and isotonic drinks very easy to follow route, a Tee shirt (pretty cool) and at the end there was a dustbin full of FREE BEER! i kid you not!
enjoy>Attachment 5842

http://www.seyonasia.com/competitions.html

[Nigel]

I was in HK myself last October, Amex, and impressed that they have quite a few 'off roaders'. There was actually a 20 mile trail on HK Island while I was there but I didn't think I was quite up to fitness back then but hoping to do one out there later in the year. Be great to know if others have some. Humidity is a killer out there though! Last time out I amused myself doing hill reps of Victoria Peak.

[wjr]

I was working in Ethiopia for a couple of weeks in 2010, which coincided with the Great International Ethiopian Run - a 10k in Addis Ababa. I managed to get a VIP starting via the client, which meant I was in a group of 100 given a 'head start' with police escort before the main field of 35,000 started. I was passed after little more than a mile! Running at an altitude of 7,500 ft was an experience, and hard! Inspirational and as friendly as a UK fell run, with locals offering me running advice (swing your arms more) and pouring water over my head as a I ran. I would highly recommend it if you happen to be in the area.

[Nigel]

I did a 10k race in the Gambia once when there on holiday. No indication of a route just a time to set off in a village. Arrived in time. Nothing. Later saw small groups arriving with various bits of running gear. One might have shoes. One might have shorts etc. No sign as the time approached of any organisation but the numbers grew. Mainly locals with a smattering of tourists like myself. Eventually (1 hour late roughly) it set off with a whistle and we all ran off. At the first junction some turned left, some turned right. I went with the majority. Next junction - the same. After a few miles there were only a few of us running and every so often one would just veer off into a compound or village trail. In the end I redirected myself and ran back to the hotel. Never did find out what happened to 'the race'.

[(notsomuchofa)Fellrunner]

I'm obviously not as well travelled as some of you, but we've been camping in France for the last 5 or 6 years & I usually manage to get a race in. The French do great wee races which are often whole village affairs with sit down meals of moules en frites & saucisses or anguille at trestle tables with their own wine/beer & any other food they've brought along.

Any way the 2 most memorable races are;

The one that involved 4 laps of the beach & forest. This was all good except I'd been told it was to be 3 laps & died on the final lap.

Last year I did a mountain race at Super-Besse. I wasn't at my best having camped for the last 3 weeks, but due to a small/weak field managed 5th or 6th place & 2nd vet. We hung around for some food & just as we were about to leave the presentation ceremony started so we hung around some more. Big mistake as most of the top boys had gone home & I had to take a place on the biggest podium I'd ever seen. They must wheel it out for the skiing & probably had Rui Costa, Philippe Gilbert & Cadel Evans on it a few weeks before when the Tour finished in the town. As if this wasn't bad enough I was then interviewed in French over a PA system......my family were pissing themselves.

[Welsh Harrier]

Don't you have to have a medical certificate to race in France?

[(notsomuchofa)Fellrunner]

Don't you have to have a medical certificate to race in France?

Martin, the answer is yes.

However, if you look at the first page in the thread below, you'll see that it's not really necessary & I've never had a problem.

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/showt...light=chamonix

I always print off the form, get my boss to sign it & then we find a stamp that looks official. This normally means that I am avionically serviceable. I now also show them my British Triathlon photo id & this seems to carry a lot more weight.

[Welsh Harrier]

Thanks Ian - I knew you'd know!! Raced in Luxembourg last year and in the States several times with no probs - I did a 10 mile road race in Michigan last year and there was a 12 year old lad doing it!