A RACE AROUND RHODES
The island’s marathon is a unique way to explore its rich history and sublime coastline
JAPANESE author Haruki Murakami states in his book, What I talk about When I talk about running, ‘pain is inevitable. suffering is optional’. His point is that physical ‘hurt’ is unavoidable but enduring it is up to runners themselves. But after about 20 miles of the rhodes marathon, I’m beginning to dispute the idea that agony is optional. It was all going swimmingly. On a hot but breezy day I set off with about 400 people; the mood is cheery and the route takes us on two laps of a 13.1 mile course.
the first loop is a breeze, enjoyable even.
running along the seafront on this Greek island, I pass the spectacular old town walls with views of the site of the long-gone Colossus — a vast statue of the Greek god Helios built in about 280BC to celebrate the successful defence of rhodes city against an attack by the king of Macedon —
one of the seven Wonders of the World. and as the cobbles of rhodes Old town don’t lend themselves to running, I get to see the coastline of the Island of the sun which welcomes 200,000 Brits each year.
this year’s rhodes marathon and half-marathon, 10k and 5k runs take place on april 21. even if you walk the courses it’s a great way to see the island.
Most competitors are from Greece, but there seems to be a good contingent from elsewhere. I get chatting along the way to
Daniel from australia, who’s running with his wife and son. they’ve just spent a month in Malaysia, another in athens, and have been in rhodes for a couple of weeks, and are then off to thessaloniki on the mainland.
My parents and girlfriend, elizabeth, have joined me for the trip. they will be spending (hopefully) just under four hours together, before meeting me as I collect my medal in eleftherias square, with its pretty church and MC shouting over pounding house music.
then it’s time for some well-earned relaxation. We are staying at the adultsonly elissa Lifestyle Beach resort, ten minutes or so from rhodes town. It’s allinclusive but far more swish than your traditional offering with its modern decor.
Staff are unfailingly polite and although recently opened, things run smoothly.
That evening I’m coaxed into wandering the medieval old town.
I drag elizabeth away from countless jewellery and leather shops as my father tells me about the Muslim influence on rhodes. We spot the turkish coast on the horizon. there’s plenty to see, from the synagogue, the clock tower, palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of rhodes, Mosques of suleyman and recep pasha, plus the shops, cafes and fountains. another day we head to the village of Lindos on the island’s south-east coast, which is as busy as it is beautiful despite it being early in the season. Bizarrely, its main attraction, the acropolis, is closed because it’s a bank holiday. perched on a rocky outcrop, it is the site of ancient temples, some of which date from the 4th century BC, a theatre and a stadium. so we wander the streets and enjoy a rooftop lunch. rhodes has been a great place to run my first marathon. I might just make it an annual event.