Thursday, March 1

My Wish List (Shopping of Races)

After several times of visiting a place for the first time by joining a race, it has become part of our practice to make the event a reason to travel, hitting two birds with one stone as they said. That becomes one of our criteria every time we travel, good thing I find friends who like the same thing, not just the touristy trip but maximizing the time that we have. 

And just this morning, here we are again, making a list of what we want to do in the next few years. I myself know I cannot do all of it due to two main reasons, my financial and physical capability. But as I always said, who knows in the future miracle will happen. And besides it's just inspiring to look forward knowing that there are so many things that we can aspire for and do in the future. 

Petra Marathon & Ultra Half Marathon - "Run back in time"

Take the trip to incredible Jordan and the unique city of Petra for a fantastic marathon adventure.

Petra, an ancient city carved in the sandstone mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It was elected as one of the ‘New 7 Wonders of the World’ in 2007. Runners can look forward to astonishing sights and a challenging course through a unique landscape.

The next Petra Marathon will take place on 8 September 2012 – the 200th anniversary of the re-discovery of Petra which I am not to sure if I can join on this one this year. And now we are thinking of really joining this race, there's  just something about Petra that we really become obsessed of. Just want to share the results from few years races: Petra Marathon Result 2011  Ptera Marathon Result 2009


Grand to Grand Ultra 
Grand to Grand Ultra Photo Gallery 2012
This will happen Sept. 23 to 29, this year.

The course covers approx 160 miles (257 km) over 6 stages in 7 days.
Participants will encounter a mix of desert and other terrain including hard packed sand, soft sand, sand dunes, forest trails, shallow river crossings, rocky roads and slot canyons. The starting line is situated at the north rim of the Grand Canyon with breathtaking vistas at an altitude of 5324 feet (1623 meters). Campsite 1, which is your campsite on the evening before the start of the race, is close by.
The finish line is on the summit of the Pink Cliffs of the Grand Staircase and provides participants with a rewarding view back over the course that you will have just completed. From an altitude of 9360 feet (2853 meters), look back over the cliffs and enjoy the most amazing panoramic landscape of your journey framed by hoodoos and two billion year old rock formations
Throughout the course, you will trek by geological mesas, buttes and cliffs and enter into a series of unique canyons, hollows and valleys. Part of the long stage will have you cross the majestic coral pink sand dunes. You will cross a tributary of the Virgin River, which you will follow before taking you into an isolated slot canyon. Keep an eye out for wildlife and flora along the route including the endangered California Condors, big horn sheep, mule deer and unique cacti.
Be prepared for a unique experience which few people on earth will ever see, never mind hike and run through.

Racing the Planet
What is the 4 Deserts?
The 4 Deserts is the world's leading rough-country endurance footrace series. A unique collection of world-class events that take place over 7 days and 250 kilometres in the largest and most forbidding deserts on the planet.

Competitors are challenged to go beyond the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Racing self-supported in the most inhospitable climates and formidable landscapes, they must carry all their own equipment and food and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.

The series, named again by TIME magazine in 2010 as one of the world's Top 10 endurance competitions, comprises the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Gobi March in China, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica.


 Ultra Trail Mt. Fuji 

Mt. Fuji is the most sacred of mountains to the Japanese people. It is surrounded by millions of people living in the large cities located in the Tokyo, Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Yamanashi Prefectures and is also considered to be a symbol of Japan. The ULTRA-TRAIL Mt. FUJI is a 160km race taking racers through the beautiful trails around the perimeter of this sacred mountain. It will be one of the largest trail running races in the world and will be an utmost challenge that will test the human limits.

Although the race was postponed for one year due to the devastating earthquake that took place in Japan on March 11, 2011, I am very pleased to announce that the race will at last be held in May 2012. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my deepest appreciation to the many people who provided their cooperation in making this race possible.
To all the participants taking on this challenge, I truly hope that this race will be a chance for you to take a great leap forward and explore your possibilities. At the same time, I hope that it will not just be a competition to see how fast you can run, but a chance for you to truly enjoy and appreciate the nature, culture, history and people of the beautiful Mt. Fuji region.
I hope that this race will be one of the greatest challenges in your life and I will pray for your success in completing this great endeavor.

 Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon

The deep recesses of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Northwestern Mexico form a gnarly maze of twisting gorges known as the Barrancas del Cobre, or Copper Canyon. This vast labyrinth stretches for 28,000 square miles in an intricate web that could envelop the state of West Virginia. In this crude earth labyrinth the Tarahumara, or Rarámuri, keep their antiquated customs alive.
Much of the Rarámuri still live as their ancestors did more than 2,000 years ago in adobe huts and even caves. A reclusive, solitary people, the Rarámuri represent a very minimalist culture. Men dress in simple, neon-colored blouses paired with coarse, plain-woven fabric skirts. The women adorn themselves in long, flowing ankle-length skirts that boast colorful and feminine floral prints. On their feet, the Rarámuri use simple huaraches – sandals made from scraps of tire and cow leather.

The remarkably primitive lifestyle of the Rarámuri leaves them with only one real way to navigate their crude, wild terrain: to run. Their name literally means “the light-footed ones.”

And my list continues, I just do not know when it will stop:

The Last Wild Race - Patagonia

The PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE® is a true expedition, taking teams of four through lands previously unknown to the human eye. Racers receive minimal assistance as they traverse through the pristine southern Patagonia by means of trekking, climbing and related rope work, kayaking, mountain biking, and back country navigation. They often cover hundreds of kilometers without seeing a soul.


Imitating the journeys of our Indian forefathers, competitors advance over plains, mountains, glaciers, native forests, swampland, rivers, lakes and channels; guided only by mind and spirit but driven on by physical stamina and experience.

Every edition features a unique route. Past racers have found themselves in the Southern Continental Ice Field, the Strait of Magellan, Torres del Paine, Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel and Cape Horn. The land is diverse, the challenge real, the adventure untamed.
Athletes from Australia, Canada, USA, México, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Japan, Russia, Spain, France, Germany, Turkey, Great Britain, Czech Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina and Chile have already taken part in this experience. In nine races we have covered over 5600 kilometres.

More important than distance however, has been the adventure and exploration of one of the most untouched and isolated places in the world. We have been inspired by the magical landscapes and fauna, while being pushed to new heights by nature's obstacles and unpredictable weather. The PATAGONIAN EXPEDITION RACE® changes lives.

The North Face Endurance Challenge

TRAINING & RACING TIPS

So you're prepared to tackle The North Face® Endurance Challenge and explore the outermost limits of how far you can run. Take a deep breath, because now it's time to train.
Whether you are taking on the Gore-Tex® 50 Mile distance or the 5K, you can’t start training and planning for race day soon enough. There are many different ways to approach endurance training, some prefer to follow the guidance of a training plan or to run with a local running club.
The North Face® worked with Carmichael Training Systems (CTS) to develop official training plans for the Endurance Challenge Series. Get expert training plans with The North Face® Training Tracker, powered by Training Peaks™.
Along with an expertly designed training plan you will get:
  • Guidance and motivation from the daily planned workouts
  • Daily e-mails with your next workout to keep you on track
  • Maps and routes to view, share or create your own
  • Confidence from tracking your fitness
  • Encouragement from friends on Facebook® or Twitter®
  • Compatibility with your training device (Garmin, Timex, Polar, Suunto, iPhone, Nike, etc)
  • Nutrition tracking to monitor your diet
  • Learn more about the Training Tracker
The North Face® is sponsoring community running clubs in each of the Endurance Challenge Regions. Visit the Running Club section to find out which clubs in your community will be focused on the Endurance Challenge as well!


And the list includes those that we have been wanting to do since before: 


The Val d’Orcia, or Valdorcia, is a region of Tuscany, central Italy, which extends from the hills south of Siena to Monte Amiata. It is characterised by gentle, carefully cultivataed hills occasionally broken by gullies and by picturesque towns and villages such as Pienza (rebuilt as an “ideal town” in the 15th century under the patronage of Pope Pius II), Radicofani(home to the notorious brigand-hero Ghino di Tacco) and Montalcino (the Brunello di Montalcino is counted among the most prestigious of Italian wines). It is a landscape which has become familiar through its depiction in works of art from the Renaissance painting to the modern photograph.
With it’s rolling hills, mild and dry climate, rugged trails and bucolic backdrop it is a perfect venue to run a fast and unforgettable 100k/50k.

Lost Worlds Racing is partnering with experienced local organizers to bring you what will be one of the most beautiful and memorable race locations in the series!
More race information and route details coming soon! Registration prices and info for residents of Italy coming soon.

Interest in the race location is already very high and we will be limited to 200 international entries due to permit restrictions. Join us at the  Tuscany Crossing in 2013 but make sure to reserve a space soon!

 Everest Basecamp Marathon 


The Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marthon is "probably the most adventurous trail run in the world." This adventurous journey takes you to the base of the classic south face of Mt Everest in Nepal .
During the trek up to Everest Base Camp, you will pass through the Everest National Park crossing through Namche Bazaar, Khumbu's Sherpa capital and Buddhist monasteries of Pangboche, one of the oldest in the area and the amazing  Thyangboche monastery, re-built after being burnt to the ground. From the summit of Kalapatthar (5545m/18200ft) you will enjoy the unmatched views of Nuptse, Everest and Lhotse. This marathon itself is a part of trekking. This is the only trip apart from mountaineering expeditions that has overnight camping right at the base of towering Mt Everest near the notorious Khumbu Icefall. We guarantee total satisfaction of the experience as we have been conducting this great event every year since 2003.


Another one which I think would be great to join is an ultra marathon in Cambodia. Aside from the scenic place it's within Asia. Plane fare could be affordable and it could be one of the best way to visit this beautiful place. I just hope registration fee would be reasonable.

As I said, this is just my wish list.....if the universe will conspire, so be it. 

1 comment: