NIGHT AND DAY
Look further afield for your race fix
Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon NORWAY, JUNE 16
This is an event where the lines between night and day are blurred. In northern Norway, the sun does not set between May and July, so while the clock may say that it’s the witching hour, you’ll be running in broad daylight. Good thing, too, as Tromsø is a stunning location. So take your place alongside 8,000 other runners to gawp in wonder at the mountains, fjords and islands you’ll pass along the way.
Flights from… 14 UK airports via numerous airlines. One stop and prices from £140 return.
While you’re there… Visit the Polaria Arctic Aquarium (polaria.no). The building resembles a series of ice floes set at alarming angles. msm.no
Kaunas Half Marathon LITHUANIA, JUNE 10
A good example of the type of thing you typically get at Baltic races: huge crowd enthusiasm; a flat course ( just 14m of elevation); some old-school architecture to enjoy – including, in this case, Medieval, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Soviet – and an endearingly chaotic but eagerto-please vibe at the race village. There are also marathon, 10K, 5K and 1.5km fun run options.
Flights from… London, Edinburgh and Bristol direct to Kaunas from £40 return.
While you’re there… Scare yourself into being better behaved with a trip to the Devil’s Museum. It contains over 2,000 depictions of Satan in paintings, carvings, sculptures and, er, soft toys. kaunasmarathon.lt