Run With a View

Run With A View

With the arrival of spring, it's the perfect time to take your fitness routine outdoors. Embrace the gentle warmth of the sun and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as you participate in some of the world's most breathtaking endurance races.

Chiang Rai

Thailand

Nestled in Thailand’s northernmost reaches, Chiang Rai is an ancient city with rich cultural centres that reflect the traditions of the legendary Lanna kingdom. With laid-back streets and tourist-friendly stays, this beautiful city, which is recognised as a UNESCO Creative City of Design, serves as a perfect launchpad for adventures into the province’s misty mountains.

The city hosts the annual Chiang Rai Marathon. The 42-km run offers a unique opportunity to experience the region’s local heritage, life and landmarks. The route has a moderate incline and circles the city. The marathon starts at the Chiang Rai City Hall and covers scenic attractions along the way.

Pokhara

Nepal

Located beneath the majestic Annapurna range, Pokhara enchants visitors with its serene lakes and dramatic mountain vistas. The crown jewel is Phewa Lake, where colourful boats dot the mirror-like waters reflecting snow-capped peaks. Adventure seekers flock to this Nepalese paradise for world-class paragliding from Sarangkot, while the World Peace Pagoda offers panoramic views from its hilltop perch.

The popular Pokhara International Marathon winds through the city’s most scenic paths. Beginning at Pokhara Stadium, this race blends athletic challenge with cultural heritage, taking runners through Matepani’s vibrant streets, past the sacred Bindhyabasini temple, and along Phewa Lake’s tranquil shores. While primarily flat, strategic uphill sections test participants’ endurance as they pursue not just victory, but the event’s broader goals of health, peace, and prosperity of the community.

Fulhadhoo

The Maldives

A captivating jewel in the vast expanse of the Indian Ocean, Fulhadhoo emerges from the Baa Atoll’s crystalline waters – a whispered secret among the Maldivian archipelago, inhabited by a small community of people. Beyond their dwellings, nature reigns supreme: untamed palm fronds, pristine beaches and turquoise lagoons. Here, time seems to have paused, preserving a corner of the planet as it might have looked at the dawn of creation – raw, untouched, and breathtakingly beautiful.

Fulhadhoo is ready to host its first island race. The run will include 14 laps of a completely flat and almost straight section of approximately 3 km across the entire island, cutting through a jungle, a local village and a stunning beach. Since it’s a small island that can accommodate only a limited number of guests, it is best to register for the Fulhadhoo Marathon at the earliest.

LEH

Ladakh

Known for its dramatic Himalayan landscapes, serpentine rivers, including the Indus, high-altitude lakes and ancient Buddhist monasteries, Ladakh is a surreal destination, with Leh being the most important city. In and around Leh, explore the majestic Shanti Stupa and the Leh Palace, along with the gravity-defying Magnetic Hill and the grand Thiksey Monastery.

The Ladakh Marathon is one of the world’s highest races. For elite athletes seeking even greater challenges, the event offers two intense ultra-marathons: the epic 122-km Silk Route Ultra and the gruelling 72-km Khardung La Challenge, although these high-altitude tests are strictly for experienced runners who’ve trained specifically for such extreme conditions.

Almaty

Kazakhstan

Set against the backdrop of the majestic Tien Shan mountains, Almaty is an ethereal destination. It hosts one of Central Asia’s biggest running events, the Almaty Marathon. While it is steadily becoming popular among athletes, the marathon began as a charitable initiative to support local communities and highlight Kazakhstan’s tourism potential. There are several runs that are held throughout the year, including the Nordic Walk, the Winter Run (February 23), and even one for children, but the most popular is the 42.195-km marathon to be held in September this year.