THEY’RE NOT HALF BAD
Two great races, two exciting cities
Vancouver Half Marathon CANADA, MAY 6
This gorgeous, friendly city on the west coast of Canada is a paradise for lovers of the outdoors, so it’s no surprise that it hosts a magnificent weekend of running, featuring a full 26.2, a marathon relay, an 8km race and a kids’ fun run, as well as the half. The route for the 13.1-miler takes you through the city’s diverse, vibrant districts, including Chinatown and Yaletown, as well as beautiful Stanley Park, before finishing in downtown Vancouver.
DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM £726rtn from Heathrow via Air Canada.
WHILE YOU’RE THERE… Humpback, gray, minke and killer whales pass through the waters off Vancouver, and you may also spot puffins, bald eagles and pelicans. Wildlife tours from around £80. bmovanmarathon.ca
Gothenburg Half Marathon SWEDEN, MAY 20
The world’s largest half marathon continues to grow. Last year around 64,000 runners toed the city centre start line before haring round the wide, tree-lined boulevards. RW’S Joe Mackie ran this one four years ago and said: ‘The best thing is how much you feel part of the local community, running right around the centre of town as opposed to being stuck way out on some soulless bypass. I loved being cheered by the locals as they sat and sipped their cappuccinos outside cafes as they watched.’
DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM £39rtn from Stansted via Ryanair
WHILE YOU’RE THERE… Visit Liseberg Theme Park and take the 83m ride up the Liseberg Tower for a breathtaking city-wide panorama. goteborgsvarvet.se