HALF-MARATHON

A veteran distance runner travels to the Saucony Cambridge Half-Marathon in search of a PB and a fun getaway weekend, and discovers how special the half-marathon can be through the experiences of a group of first-timers

Let’s face it, as runners, a lot of our travel is centred around running. It’s a great way to explore a new city, to stay fit and healthy on a vacation and provides an opportunity to meet new people. I’ve run a lot of races while travelling (or have travelled to a lot of races?), including events in New York City, Chicago, Monterey Bay and Boston, and over many distances from the 5k to the marathon. What I’ve come to realize is that the half-marathon is actually the perfect distance for a destination race.

The great thing about the half-marathon is that it won’t completely take over your trip. Unlike the stresses of a marathon, you will neither be stuck in your hotel room with your legs up on the wall before the race nor will your legs be too destroyed to enjoy some sightseeing afterward.

I recently had the opportunity to race in the Saucony Cambridge Half-Marathon with four travelling companions, including two runners who were new to the distance. For some travel races, I don’t take the race too seriously and use it as an opportunity for a training run or a hard workout. In the case of the Cambridge Half, it was a goal race, one which I wanted to finish with a specific goal time, but at the same time, I had never been to the U.K. and also wanted to enjoy the trip as a proper traveller.

Finding that balance between being a runner and a traveller can take some effort and some planning, but once you figure it out, you’ll see that a destination race is an ideal way to fulf ill your wanderlust and running goals all in one go.