The Vancouver Sun Run takes runners through the heart of one of North America’s most beautiful cities.
At various points in my life, I’ve tried to take up running . . . but with a bad back, poor wind, and a few too many pounds, it’s never quite taken. Yet I’ve always been impressed by friends who adhere to a regular running schedule. It’s so simple, so primal. And by the looks of them, so healthy! I’ve also been intrigued watching some of these friends “train up” for a special challenge, be it a 10K, a marathon, or something even more ambitious. Do people really run a hundred miles over mountain ranges without sleep—and do it in less than twenty-four hours?!
I wrote Fifty Places to Run Before You Die for those who appreciate the challenges running affords . . . and for the opportunity to share these experiences with fellow runners while seeing a bit of the world.
“What makes a destination or event a place to run before you die?” you might ask. Is it the chance to run in the footsteps of champion athletes who have come before you? To explore an unfamiliar city or country from the unique vantage points offered by sweeping boulevards or mountain trails? To immerse yourself in the beauty of stunning natural settings while pushing past physical boundaries? Or is it simply the opportunity to surround yourself with thousands—or tens of thousands—of like-minded people? The answer is all of the above, and more. One thing I knew when I began this project: I was not the person to assemble this list. So I followed a recipe that served me well in my thirteen previous Fifty Places books—I sought the advice of dedicated professionals. To write Fifty Places to Run Before You Die, I interviewed a host of people from the running world and asked them to share some of their favorite experiences. These experts range from celebrated Olympic athletes (including Steve Moneghetti and David Bedford) to endurance running legends (Dean Karnazes, Tim Twietmeyer, and newcomer Jim Walmsley) to travel authorities (Thom Gilligan, Karen Hoch, and Bart Yasso) . . . and even a public radio star (Peter Sagal). Some spoke of venues that are near and dear to their hearts, places where they’ve built their professional reputations; others spoke of places they’ve visited only once but that made a profound impression. There is no shortage of ways to feel a connection with a place—or a sport for that matter—as evidenced in these pages. (To give a sense of the breadth of the interviewees’ backgrounds, a bio of each individual is included after each essay.)
The Vancouver Sun Run takes runners through the heart of one of North America’s most beautiful cities.
For some people, running is a low-pressure 10K with a great party afterward; for others, it may not begin to count as running until you’ve logged at least thirty or forty miles. Fifty Places to Run Before You Die attempts to capture the full spectrum of running experiences—on road, off-road, 10K, marathon, endurance . . . and some runs that defy easy classification. While the book describes fifty great venues, it does not attempt to rank the quality of the experiences afforded by each place. Such ranking would, of course, be largely subjective.
To help readers actualize their running aspirations, I have provided brief “If You Go” information at the end of each chapter, which includes registration details for formal events. The “If You Go” information is by no means comprehensive but should give would-be travelers a starting point for planning their trip.
One of the beauties of running is that just about anywhere you might find yourself, you can lace up your sneakers, step outside your door, and reap the benefits of a good run. Yet a trip to a storied event or dream venue can create memories for a lifetime. It’s my hope that this little book will inspire you to embark on some new running adventures of your own.
I may even try to take it up again myself!