Product Information

Fascination marathon! The illustrious discipline of running is alluring for every athlete. Increasing attendance figures and the variety of marathon events prove the ongoing boom. Whether national or international – almost every big city hosts a run. But before you register for a marathon, you have to think about a few basic questions.

A personal checklist for planning a competition helps to make the final decision.

Do I want to run at an event like London and New York, or is the more “intimate” atmosphere of smaller, local runs better for me?

Due to the high number of participants, big events are perfectly organized, are accompanied by thousands of spectators along the track und have top athletes running. At smaller marathons, however, there’s no high prize money, no top runners and less competition pressure, which results in a smaller audience. But on the plus side, these events have the advantages of shorter times of travel to and from, lower registration fees and the possibility for a “training marathon”.

London, Edinburgh, Glasgow? Or do I seek the athletic challenge abroad?

Popular marathons destinations in the UK are highly frequented and guarantee an unforgettable running experience as well as an international field of competitors. But many runners dream of the challenge abroad. That’s the perfect opportunity to combine the running competition with realising long-planned trips.

Do I have a detailled plan for my marathon trip abroad?

If you want to take part in a marathon abroad, more essential questions emerge – formal and practical ones. Here are some examples:

Are there entry regulations and / or deadlines to consider?

Are additional vaccinations or any prophylaxis necessary, and do I have enough time for that?

Does the marathon organisation demand a medical (do I have one and how old is it)?

How safe is the current political situation in the country?

Do I have to exchange money and how much am I allowed to bring?

Am I informed about the general import and export regulations (stay away from forbidden “souvenirs”!)?

Do I organise everything by myself or is it better to hire a travel agency?

Is the marathon trip compatible with my general vacation plan for the year?

Do the dates of arrival and departure take my personal adjustment to different time zones into account?

Can I afford the additional costs in regard to my yearly budget?

Are the climatic conditions at the time of the marathon also appropriate to go sightseeing?

Did I make a tour plan including all sights (possibly with opening hours and dress regulations)?

Was I able to check the classification of my hotel (star ratings in foreign countries do not necessarily meet the standard at your home country)?

How far is my hotel from the start and finish

lines?

If these issues are sorted out, your running experience in Rio, Dubai or the Sahara can get started.

Am I ready for the whole distance?

42km are hard work. Don’t make the mistake to want too much for you to handle. If you take part in a bigger running event for the first time, you should choose the 10km or half marathon alternative instead of the whole distance. Thereby, you can test your competition performance and get accustomed to the experience of a professionally-organised run.

In order to keep track of your personal performance, the usage of running tools for support in training as well as in competitions is especially helpful. Easy-to-use running computers like the JogStyle reliably provide essential data, such as current and average speed, distance and time. Thus, you’re able to control your training efficiency, and you’ll know which marathon is the right choice.

(Image: © SpartaBilleder)