Where will you run your next marathon ?

Roberto Stagnetti, the president of the Night Marathon has accepted to answer a few questions to let us discover the second edition of the Night Marathon in Italy.

Hello Roberto, on June 6th, you’ll be organizing the Night Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
NightMarathon 2008 will be held in Jesolo and Cavallino Treporti, two wonderful beach places very close to Venice (only 15 Km far). You can reach us by car or by plane at Venice Airport.
Jesolo is the longest beach in Europe that await for runners to give them a thousand of entertainment programs: sea and beach sports activities, tournaments and competitions of every kind for folks of every age, all along 15 km of a golden sand.
Cavallino Treporti is a land suspended between the sea and lagoon, an extraordinarily beautiful Nature Park, a unique location to be visited and to be loved in a pure freedom way, where Mother Nature is respected and beloved, where hospitality and warmness is a must. Beaches and pinewoods, orchards, hundreds of calm channels, allows You to have a deep relaxing holiday, and brings you naturally to walk alone on the desert sand, take a bike and have a visit of beautiful ancient boroughs, and have a really heartbreaker sunset on the Venice lagoon.

How old is the marathon and why was it created in the first place?
This is the second edition; we thought to start this project because there weren’t any marathons at night in Italy.

It is a night marathon. What is so special about a night race?
A wonderful sunset on the venitian lagoon will be matched with a long way in a loneliness-like emotions and quite darkness one. And at the end, in Jesolo, an extraordinarily warm public exciting you on the trace will make this race an unforgettable one.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The route is totally flat and very scenic; runners could improve themselves in the Half Marathon competitive race or in the Full Marathon one. It’s not so easy to describe an intense emotion, just try it!

What formalities do international runners need to fulfill to run your race?
Foreign runners do have to subscribe themselves only via electronic form on our web portal www.nightmarathon.it/eng and sign up an “organizing disclaimer letter” when picking up the bib on the race day at the expo.

How many runners do you expect on Saturday night? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We expect from 4.000 to 5.000 runners, both professional both amateurs.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
Yes indeed! We organize a very popular 4K “HappyMarathon” for families and for everyone who prefer not to “stress” themselves. Furthermore we organize a “Kids’ Run” for babies under 6 years.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
During the daytime weather is quite warm (22° medium relevation) but you have to consider that starting time is scheduled at 8.30 pm, so that runners will have no problems with weather.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
NightMarathon is already famous all over Europe for being a miscellaneous event: concerts, animations, an half pipe show, jokers and so on will be the other side of the moon of the official races

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Jesolo before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
In the daytime an endless series of refreshment stands, bars and restaurants along the beach provides food and drink to thousands of suntan buffs and people who just can’t get enough of the sun and the sea. But it’s just at night that you compare Jesolo as a firework! From 8 o’clock in the evening to 6 o’clock in the morning, Jesolo is open only to pedestrian traffic and thus becomes an unlimited, fantastic fun hourse brimming with merriment and a pinch of craziness where new trends in night life are created and then spread to become musts in Italy and abroad.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Night Marathon ?
Just came for the Run, Let’s Stay for the Fun!

Thank you Roberto.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Night Marathon
• Night Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room near Jesolo

22 marathons will be organized during next week-end in 8 different countries.

Czech Republic

• Volkswagen Prague Marathon (Saturday)

France

• Marathon de Clermont Ferrand (Sunday) You can read the interview I did with Nicole Rouvet a few weeks ago (in French).
• Marathon de Montauban (Sunday)

Germany

• Eschollbrücker Ultra-Marathon 50 km (Sunday)
• Königsforst Marathon (Saturday)
• Lohner Marathon (Saturday)
• Sparkassen Marathon Cuxhaven (Sunday)

Guam

• Guam Marathon (Sunday)

Malaysia

• Kuala Lumpur International Marathon (Sunday)

Monaco

• Marathon de Monaco et des riviera (Sunday)

Norway

• Bergen Marathon (Saturday)

United States of America

• Bataan Memorial Death March (Sunday)
• Ellerbe Springs Marathon (Saturday)
• ING Georgia Marathon (Sunday)
• Knoxville Marathon (Sunday)
• Napa Valley Trail Marathon (Saturday)
• National Marathon Washington D.C. (Saturday)
• Ocean Drive Marathon (Sunday)
• Olathe Marathon (Saturday)
• ORRRC Marathon (Sunday)
• Terrapin Mountain Marathon (Saturday)
• Virginia Creeper Marathon (Sunday)

Shawn and his wife are the new owners of Lethbridge’s local running store, Runner’s Soul. They both grew up here in Lethbridge and are very excited with the opportunity to give back to the community through the races and clinics that they put on.

Photo from RTPeat

Hello, on June 1st, you’ll be organizing the Music from the Soul Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
The Music from the Soul Marathon is located in Lethbridge, Alberta. Lethbridge is located in the heart of the southern Alberta prairies, a 2 hour drive south of Calgary and an hour drive from the Rocky Mountains .

The marathon is 3 years old. Why was it created in the first place?
Runner’s Soul has the largest marathon club in Canada with around 450 members each year. With those kinds of numbers, we figured it was time that Lethbridge had it’s own marathon as well.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The marathon follows a scenic route through the city. Designed as a fast course, the route is mainly flat but does have one climb of 300 feet as we take advantage of the unique landscape of the Lethbridge river valley, locally described as coulees. Mainly on paved paths through local parks, the course will take runners past the local Japanese Gardens, through downtown Lethbridge, and under the longest train bridge in Canada.There will be a $150 prime for the first person to reach a designated point on the marathon as well. Just a little something to add some interest for the lead pack.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
I expect to have around 700 runners start the race on Sunday morning. The race will likely attract a wide variety of runners as well, from the first time marathoner to those looking to qualify for Boston. Local athlete Kip Kangogo will be looking to run the marathon this year after winning the half-marathon last year in a blistering time of 1:06. This will be his first marathon and he’ll be looking for a finishing time around 2:25.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
Yes, there will be other races during the weekend. We will be running the Half-Marathon again this year as well as the Kids Marathon. The Kids Marathon will see 500 young athletes finish the final 2 km of the marathon distance they have accumulated during the previous month to two months of training. This year will involve a new event as well; the Team Relay Marathon event. The Team Relay Marathon involves teams of two to five members running the marathon distance. Each leg will be approximately 8 km long with the transitions occuring in designated areas.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Southern Alberta weather can be unpredictable at that time of year. While I certainly don’t expect snow, rain is a possibility in the spring time. We had great conditions for last years event with starting temperatures around 15 C.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Being the Music from the Soul Marathon, we will have musicians set-up at Music Stations along the course. Athletes will be able to enjoy music from the beginning to the end of the event and can recharge their batteries at a post race breakfast.

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Lethbridge before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
Streetside Eatery is our host restaurant and is a great place to eat in the city. As I had mentioned earlier, the Japanese Gardens is a popular local attraction and the coulees are always fun to explore, from Fort Whoop-up to the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. Other important attractions within an hour drive of Lethbridge include Waterton National Park and “Head Smashed In” Buffalo Jump, a World Heritage site.
Banff National Park is also an easy 3.5 hour drive from Lethbridge, a great area for a holiday after the race.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Music from the Soul Marathon ?
If you’re looking for a well run, fast marathon in a great community, the Music from the Soul is your race.

Thank you Shawn.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Music from the Soul Marathon
• Music from the Soul Marathon on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Lethbridge

2 marathons will be organized during next week-end in a single country.

United States of America

• Easter Marathon (Saturday)
• The Grasslands Marathon (Saturday)

Steve is a Peace Corps Volunteer living for the next two years in Pacasmyo, Peru. There, he works with artisans, assists in tourism, works in an orphanage, teaches a weekly exercise class to senior citizens, and in March will start coaching athletes in Special Olympics.

Hello, on July 6th, you’ll be organizing the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo. Can you tell us where it is located?
Pacasmayo is located on the northern coast of Perú, S.A. in the department of La Libertad, about 100 Km north of Perú’s third largest city, Trujillo.

How old is the marathon and why was it created in the first place?
This is the inaugural year of the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo. Although Pacasmayo is well known throughout the international surfing community for its world class waves, it is less known for its world class off-road running and biking. Our goal during the next two years is to begin the process of turning Pacasmayo into the sports capital of Perú. Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo was created as the first step in achieving that goal. Therefore, we have created a safe venue in the northern part of Peru where runners can achieve a personal running goal. In addition, we wanted to bring recognition to a society of local artisans known collectively as Pakastone. These talented artisans make animal figurines and other products out of marble. In fact, the Pakastone artisans have generously volunteered to make and donate one-of-a kind hand-marble trophies to be presented to the first place men and women finishers in each of the races. The Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo is also unique in that any profits that we earn will go to purchase products for the special education school in Pacasmayo. No one associated with the marathon is accepting any money for their involvement.

As any race director will tell you, starting a marathon requires an incredible amount of time and energy. Fortunately, we have a tremendous staff. Hugo Cortez is from Pacasmayo and has been involved in all phases of organizing and acquiring sponsors; Ashley Toombs, a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer, is marketing the marathon to the world; Melissa Atchley, a friend and consultant from the United States, has generously donated countless hours in designing our website, and our other committee members have made significant contributions in order to make the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo a reality in record time.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
First, I will refer the reader to our website as all four off-road courses are described in detail under race information. But, in general, we like to use three words to describe the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo; exciting, exotic and exceptional. We feel those three words sum up the uniqueness of this maratón. The participants will be running on desert roads and paths that are composed of hard packed sand and dirt which makes for a fast off-road running surface. The course is flat and never more than 100 feet above sea level with the exception of a couple of hills: Heartbreak and “No Mas”. And, the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean is almost always in view. Throw in the usual blue sky and you have the ingredients for an exceptional marathon setting.

How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
Since this is our first marathon in Pacasmayo, it would only be a guess if I gave you an answer. However, I can tell you what our goals are in terms of numbers. We have set our goal to be a total of 101-200 runners for all four events in the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo. There will be four major cities in central and northern Peru that we will draw from; Lima, Trujillo, Chiclayo, and Cajamarca City. In addition, there are approximately 145 Peace Corps volunteers serving in Peru. About 25% of the volunteers have expressed interest in running in the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo. In fact, several of the volunteers have started running groups in their towns and are using the trip to Pacamayo as an incentive for their young athletes to stay committed to their running goal. Moreover, we have already received inquiries from participants outside of Peru who want to run a marathon in South America. So, we are optimistic about achieving our goal of 101 – 200 participants. That being said, long distance running has never been very popular in Peru. In Lima, a city of about 9 million people, I am told that their annual marathon only attracts about 500 runners. So, whether or not we achieve our goal of 101-200 participants will be decided in the next four weeks. It depends on how effective we are in marketing the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo in the last two weeks of February and the first two weeks of March. I have great confidence in our staff and I believe we are up to challenge. I want to thank www.42K195.com for doing their part in helping us publicize the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo to their audience worldwide.

What formalities do international runners need to fulfill to run your race?
International runners need to contact me directly at scambridge@gmail.com. As an incentive in participating in the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo, we are waiving the entry fee for all runners living outside of Peru.

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
Yes, there will be a total of four events all taking place on July 6th, 2008. At 8:30 a.m. we will start the 42Km. That will be followed by the 21Km at 8:35. At 8:45 the 10Km will begin and at 8:50 a.m. the 5Km run / walk will start.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
July is considered a winter month for the coast of Peru. We should have ideal running conditions. The temperatures normally average between 55 degrees F. and 65 degrees F. in the morning. And, you can leave your rain gear at home. We receive less than 1 inch of precipitation each year.

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Yes, on Saturday there will be an artisan’s fair during the day. The Pakastone artisans will be displaying their products along with several of our sponsors. At 5 p.m., the runners, volunteers and artisans will be part of a parade that enables the local residents to show their appreciation and welcome the participants to Pacasmayo. In the evening, following the pre-race information meeting, we will have a drawing for prizes that have been donated by running companies and stores in Pacasmayo. After the drawing, several restaurants will be offering the customary pre-race pasta dinner as part of their menu selection. On Sunday, following the awards ceremony, there will be a post-race party for all participants and volunteers.

The marathon finished what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Pacasmayo before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
The Estación Hotel is located on the ocean, and has an excellent menu at very reasonable prices. For fish, it is hard to beat Tabaris restaurant. And, the El Gallo Pinto caters to tourists and oftentimes has live music on the weekends. Our marathon committee will provide a list of restaurants to the participants when they pick-up there race packets on Saturday. As far as sightseeing goes, I think the view that the runners have when they approach the little town of Milagro is the best view of the weekend. That being said, the participants will want to walk up the hill near the cemetery and catch a view of the sunset while overlooking Pacasmayo. It can be breathtaking!

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Marathon Internacional de Pacasmayo?
If running a marathon in South America is on your life’s list of “things to do”, then I invite you to the sports capital of Perú in order to participate in one of the most exciting, exotic and exceptional off-road marathons you will ever experience; Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo.

Thank you Steve and good luck for the first edition.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo
• Maratón Internacional de Pacasmayo on 42k195.com

11 marathons will be organized during next week-end in 8 different countries.

Cyprus

• Spidernet Pafos Marathon (Sunday)

Falklands Islands

• Standard Chartered Stanley Marathon (Sunday)

Germany

• Steinfurter ROLINCK-Marathon (Sunday)

Italy

• Maratona della città di Roma (Sunday)

Korea

• Seoul International Marathon (Sunday)

Netherland

• Galgenbergmarathon (Saturday)

New Zeland

• Te Houtaewa Challenge Marathon (Saturday)

United States of America

• Big Island International Marathon (Sunday)
• Catalina Marathon (Saturday)
• Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon (Sunday)
• Shamrock Marathon (Saturday)

Micha Havreluk is a 57 year old Germanic languages teacher. He has run 191 marathons at the time this interview was conducted and plans to run his 200th in June 2008 at the Marathon du vignoble d’Alsace in France. He organizes two marathons in Belgium and is the webmaster of two running clubs www.addemer.com and www.addgenk.be.
If you want to learn more about Micha, visit his personal website.

Hello Micha, you’re the proud organizer of two marathons in the province of Limburg, Belgium : LPM Marathon and Maratongeren. In this interview, we’ll focus on Maratongeren which will take place on May first. How old is the marathon. Why was it created in the first place?
Well, when you read this, there was never a Tongeren marathon before! Reason : it’s the first and probably the last!
Since last year our athletics club ‘Athletic club De Demer’ has been the owner of a brand new race track (8 lanes) in a renewed stadium ‘De Motten’, close to the center of Tongeren City.
Since then there have been several competitions on the track. In order to make the existence of the new track known to a wider range of people, we thought it would be opportune to get ‘off track-runners’ acquainted with the track. So the start and finish line is drawn on the track.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The route is well known to a lot of runners from the Euregion (Belgium, Holland and Germany) because the famous Tungri-run - a yearly half marathon (in 2008 for the 19th successive year) - is held on the 1st of May.
So it’s simple : 2 laps of 21 K makes 42 K. The course runs through the beautiful south of the province of Limburg, partly through the Kevie, a green lung of meadows and wetland in a protected wildlife reservation. It also runs through the typical cornfields and hollow field-tracks, slightly up and down but doable! But you always keep the stately basilica of Tongeren in sight, as a safe beacon to guide you to the finish line.

How many runners do you expect on Thursday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
Belgium has no marathon tradition, even big cities as Antwerp and Brussels can not get more than 2000 runners on the start line. So we stay modest and hope that about 500 runners will come to the ‘maratongeren’. Any runner who wants to run in a beautiful setting like Tongeren’s surroundings is welcome!

Do you organize other races during the same day? If so, on what distances?
Of course, besides the marathon - like each year - the Tungri-run exists of more races : 21 K, 10 K, 5 K, 2 K and a 1 K.

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect in Tongeren?
You may not believe this, but the 1st of May has been a sunshiny day, ever since the first edition … a rare exception possible ….

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Not especially, but there’s always a lot to do on the 1st of May in Tongeren. The Tungri-run is one of the biggest ’street races’ in the country. More than 2500 runners will fill the streets and even more spectators complete the sports scene that day. Moreover, Tongeren is the oldest town in Belgium, an ancient Roman town with lots of historical remainders … so it would be a shame to leave Tongeren without visiting these historic sites!

The marathon finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Tongeren before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
As I said before, a visit to the town center is a must … the statue of Ambiorix, the leader of the Eburon tribe, who beat a part of Ceasar’s army near Tongeren, overlooks the market place, where there are a lot of nice ‘grand cafe’s’ and restaurants with nice pavements …

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Maratongeren?
If you want to run a unique marathon, uniquely because it will never be organized again, you must register for the Maratongeren, in the beautiful historic scenery of Belgium’s oldest town.

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Maratongeren
• Maratongeren on 42k195.com
• Book a hotel room in Tongeren

Petri Huhtala is a 44 year old freewheeling civil engineer and a member of YMCA of Oulu which is organizing this marathon. He used to participate in this event as a runner but for past 3-4 years he has joined the organization committee too. Over the past decade he has run 21 marathons, in seven different countries, and each time he says he has received the same wonderful exhilaration at the end of the race – even without looking his finishing time – He has become aware that reaching the finish line in a marathon is to enter a top-notch group: only about one-tenth of one percent of the population does it. After the many marathon experiences he warmly recommends everyone to finish at least one marathon - it surely will leave you feeling like a champion – that how he has felt every single time!

Hello, on May 24th, you’ll be organizing the Terwa Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
Our event is arranged in Oulu which is Finland’s sixth largest city with population of ~130,000. Oulu was founded in 1605 and it locates on the shore of the Bay of Bothnia, along the Oulu River. Oulu has transformed itself from a city built around an economy of pine tar (terwa in Finnish) and salmon into a modern forerunner of high technology.

How old is the marathon and why was it created in the first place?
In late 1980’s there was a growing demand for road races in Oulu region and finally in 1989 a group of local YMCA runners joined their forces and arranged the first Oulu Marathon which included also quarter and half marathon distances. The first event attracted about 300 runners and through the 1990’s the turnout remained quite stable from 300 to 400 participants. It was not until 2002 when event started to grow in popularity. That year event was renewed and renamed to Terwa Run and Marathon. YMCA of Oulu has been and is the event organizer and year 2008 is special because we celebrate event’s 20th anniversary.

What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it?
The route is 21.1 km long and marathon runners loop it twice. The race start and finish are at the same place - few steps onshore from Bay of Bothnia. The course is relatively flat and fast: the difference between the highest and the lowest point of the course is 16 meters. This course is perfect to improve your personal best time and is an easy course for first time marathon runners. It safely runs along paved pedestrian and bicycle ways in very scenic waterfront, over several bridges and through peaceful neighborhoods of Oulu. Terwa Marathon course is measured by AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) certified measurer.

How many runners do you expect on Saturday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We expect about 2000 participants: ~500 runners for the marathon and ~1500 for the shorter distances (including children’s Minimarathon). Last year we had 378 marathon finishers and 1556 finishers in shorter distances. We want to attract all kind of runners. Running is everyman sport. It doesn’t matter who or how old you are, or what you look like, or how much you weigh - you are warmly welcome to our event, be yourself and become a runner, just as hundreds and thousands of others have done too!

Do you organize other races during the Week-End? If so, on what distances?
Besides the marathon we organize three other races during Saturday: simultaneously with marathon 10K and half marathon distances and on the morning, before the main event start, we organize free Minimarathon for children (age 0-13 years).

At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
Late May is probably the best time of the year to run a marathon in Oulu. It may be little windy but the average maximum temperature on Race Day is around 15 degrees.
(2007 provided soft rain, calm wind and a maximum temperature of 12 degrees).

Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
On Friday evening, day before the main event, we arrange a pasta party in Holiday Club Oulun Eden which is our event headquarters. After the finish line each runner receives a finisher medal and has free admission into Holiday Club Oulun Eden Spa which offers unique ways to recover from the achievement: different types of saunas, plenty of water fun along with many types of other relaxing water treatments.
An award ceremony is arranged late afternoon on Saturday: trophies and prizes are handed to overall top five winners and to the first three age division winners. There are many drawing prizes too. Nightlife of city is very vivid and versatile, so surely everyone who desires will find suitable place to celebrate their personal achievements at Saturday night.

The marathon finished what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Oulu before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing?
For first timers I recommend to study LOOK at OULU brochure which helps to discover Oulu or visit the Oulu Tourism website. Race headquarters itself, Holiday Club Oulun Eden, is good place to stay, eat and relax. In downtown of Oulu is ‘Rotuaari’, a lively pedestrian street, which invites you to enjoy the pleasant and relaxed atmosphere year-round with good shopping, cozy cafes and restaurants with their patios. Top three personal favorite restaurants in Oulu are Istanbul, Pannu and Sokeri-Jussin Kievari. Top three personal favorite Bubs & Bars are Gloria, Jumpru and Leskinen.

In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of 42k195 to make them register for the Terwa Marathon ?
Life is short, but a marathon stretches it out for a little while, giving you enough time to realize that life is good … you have the good health to move, the heart to know you can do it, the endurance to get there, and now you have good opportunity to do it in our beautiful and friendly event - life is short, so run long and enjoy - welcome to Oulu!

Thank you very much Petri

If you need more information :

• Official Website of the Terwa Marathon
• Video of the 2007 edition
• Terwa Marathon on 42k195.com