“It’s the biggest race in Africa. You have to run!” my colleague said. I had just arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital city. In less than a week’s time, the Great Ethiopian Run was to take place. I didn’t jump at the idea. It is a 10km road race through the crowded streets of Addis … Continue reading Trying to enter Addis Ababa’s Great Ethiopian Run
A week of work in New York allowed me to check out Central Park for its jogging possibilities. I’m not a big city fan. But I had heard that Central Park is the perfect place to get away from the organised chaos of New York City. The first thing that struck me was how peaceful … Continue reading Cruising around Central Park, New York
The nice thing about where I live in Vietnam is my daily running route. Normally I go around the east side of Hanoi’s West Lake (or Tay Ho) and here’s an assortment of things I can see on my run: My run normally brings me past Phu Tay Ho pagoda, a popular destination for unmarried … Continue reading Things to see on my daily run around Hanoi’s West Lake
There’s nothing like a white Christmas. I was back home in Derry, Northern Ireland for the December festivities. And after the mid-twenty temperatures of Vietnam’s Hanoi, I found myself in freezing -7 degree Celsius conditions. Despite the temperature differential, I had to get out of the house and feel the winter for myself... even if … Continue reading Christmas Running in Two Countries
This weekend, I had a revelation. I found out that I truly am, without doubt, a mountain runner. Not just an ordinary runner, who’s content to race on roads. No, if I’m not running and racing in the mountains, I’m not entirely happy. I signed up for the Siem Reap Half Marathon three months ago. … Continue reading Road Running Rage