Some of us define a holiday as time spent supine. But adrenalin addicts live to work up a sweat while checking out the scenery. Denise Balkissoon talks to marathoners across the country about their favourite destination races – where the trails offer more than just that runner’s high

Denise Balkissoon
Special to The Globe and Mail
April 19, 2008 at 12:56 PM EDT

THE LONDON MARATHON

The runner Tania Jones, a Richmond Hill, Ont., mom who won the 2002 Canadian championship for marathon running.

The run An April marathon that winds its way over cobblestone streets from Blackheath to Buckingham Palace.

The rush Running past history. And the spectators. “You start the race at 8 a.m. and there are already people in front of the pubs, holding their pints and cheering you on.”

Off the track Jones spent a week in Harlow to get acclimatized before the race. “I trained on tiny roads in real English countryside, running right by Windsor Castle.”

Lace up Apply for one of 36,000 spots by August at london-marathon.co.uk.

THE ROCK AND ICE RUN

The runner Michal Kapral, the Toronto-based editor of the new magazine Canadian Running – and the record holder for the fastest marathon completed while juggling.

The run A March race that starts outside Yellowknife and loops around Great Slave Lake. Kapral says runners carry their own snowshoes, headlamps and all their food.

The rush “The scenery is spectacular – windswept plains, bright-blue skies, tree-lined lakes and huge ravens swooping down into loop-de-loops.” Plus there are Northern Lights, every night.

Off the track Sled dog races, snowmobiling and trips to a gold mine can be organized by race officials.

Lace up Apply for the race at rockandiceultra.com.

THE GOBI MARCH

The runner Victoria’s Donald Petersen has completed five marathons and trains with a local group known as the Island Road Racers.

The run A seven-day, 250-kilometre race in June that takes runners from the tiny town of Kashgar across a desert straddling northern China and southern Mongolia.

The rush The scenery includes vast canyons, goat- and camel-riddled mountain paths and desert valleys. As for the weather? “It was insane,” Petersen says. “One day it snowed, and a half-day later it was 50 Celsius.”

Off the track Explore bazaars along the ancient Silk Road or the Great Wall in Beijing.

Lace up Extremists from more than 26 countries can apply at 4deserts.com/gobimarch.

NOT SINCE MOSES

The runner Rob Chambers, a youth coach and the co-founder of Halifax’s Trail Runners Club.

The run At last July’s inaugural marathon, 300 runners waited for the tide to recede before heading out for a 10-kilometre jog on the ocean floor surrounding Five Islands, N.S.

The rush Wading through waist-high patches of water – and through a tunnel where the ocean has worn through clay. “It’s pretty wild and untouched, that’s for sure.”

Off the track After the run, enjoy a barbecue while waiting for the tide to rise high enough to boat back to shore.

Lace up Sign up for this race – about two hours outside Halifax – at notsincemoses.com.

THE CARSLBAD 5000

The runner Calgary’s Jennifer Walker – an amateur athlete if you consider her half Ironman and two more in the works amateur.

The run Just outside San Diego, Calif., the city of Carlsbad hosts an April run that takes place on rolling terrain along the Pacific.

The rush Live bands along the course helped Walker keep up her energy. Running on an ocean highway is stunning, but can make for steep hills.

Off the track Rest up in the Spanish gardens at La Costa Resort and Spa (lacosta.com), which offers marathoners special rates.

Lace up Sign up for next year at eliteracing.com/carlsbad.html.