Lonely Planet Epic Runs of the World: explore the world's most thrilling running routes and trails

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While this is at times a challenging and hilly course, the Big Sur International Marathon is worth the effort, as it’s known as one of the most scenic and beautiful marathons in the world. It snakes through California’s redwood forests and along the coast-hugging Hwy 1, offering runners spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Along the route there is an eclectic roster of live music to help keep you moving, including the surreal sight of a tuxedo-wearing musician playing a Grand Piano on the famous Bixby Creek Bridge at the halfway point. So iconic you can see it from space (almost), the Great Wall of China also hosts one of the world’s toughest marathons. Aside from the heat – temperatures can reach close to 40°C during the race – the main challenge is the many steep climbs, including a total of 5164 steps. The event is a sellout each year with 2500 runners from over 60 nations taking part. As well as two lengthy sections along the top of the wall, the race offers some relief from the climbing with a flat section in the middle on asphalt and gravel roads, taking you on a tour through picturesque Chinese villages and rice fields. Pedestrian walkways – let alone accessible pedestrian walkways – are still a work in progress in Qatar. But its state-of-the-art metro and tram systems cater well to travelers with limited mobility and other accessible travel needs. If you like Couchsurfing, then Warmshowers – a tight-knit international community of cycling enthusiasts catering to pedal-powered travelers – will be your best friend on tour. This is a mostly flat, fast Paris marathon course that takes in some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Starting on the Champs-Élysées, it winds past Notre Dame, the Place de la Bastille and the Eiffel Tower, through two of the city’s wooded parks and along the banks of the Seine before finishing on Avenue Foch in sight of the Arc de Triomphe. With 57,000 runners taking part, it’s one of the world’s biggest marathons, and while in previous years the race had a reputation for being ignored by Parisians, in recent years the crowd support has been whole-hearted and full-voiced. At 35km the organizers hand out cheese and wine, just to make sure you know exactly which city you’re running in. Registeration is now open.

Explore The World’s Most Thrilling Running Routes And Trails

Our 'Browns Super 6' highlights six of our favourite books on a chosen theme or topic, chosen by an experienced member of the Browns Selection Team. We hope you enjoy our selection! All metro and tram stations are spacious, with platforms all wheelchair accessible. Audio and visual announcements are made at each stop, and all trains and trams have space for manual and electric wheelchairs, along with dedicated seating areas and drop-off areas for passengers with limited mobility. Tactile paths are designed to assist with navigation for riders with visual impairment, and bathrooms that cater for travelers with disabilities are available at every station. I really believe that running is an inclusive sport and the books I’ve chosen show that there’s no limit to our potential (as Ghost realises in Jason Reynolds’‘Run’ series). These titles include relatable role models, destroy gender stereotypes and deliver inspiration and motivation. Run in the Americas include: The Big Sur Marathon (USA) Havana's El Malecon (Cuba) Rio at Dawn (Brazil) An Illuminating Ascent in La Paz (Bolivia) This follows up to Lonely Planet’s Epic Bike Rides of the World (2016), Epic Drives of the World(2017), and Epic Hikes of the World (2018), which is an unmissable runner’s companion.Runs in Africa include: The Lewa Safari Marathon (Kenya) Marathon Des Sables (Morocco) The Great Ethiopian Run The Comrades Ultramarathon (South Africa) In this comprehensive runner's companion, you'll find 50 of the world's greatest running routes - from short city runs and must-do marathons to cross-country trails and challenging ultras - plus a further 150 courses around the globe to satisfy runners of all abilities.

Epic Runs of the World by Lonely Planet - Dymocks Epic Runs of the World by Lonely Planet - Dymocks

Runs in Europe include: Amalfi Coast's Path of the Gods (Italy) A Classic Fell Run in the Lakes (England) The Athens Marathon (Greece) Dublin's Wild Side (Ireland) With 37 eye-catching stations inspired by traditional caravansaries, the Doha Metro, opened in 2019, is one of the world’s most architecturally striking subway systems. It’s also ultra-cheap, with all trips costing just QR2 and total journey costs capped at QR6 per day. Intersecting at Msheireb in the heart of Doha, the system’s three lines (red, green and gold) offer regular and reliable services. The driverless, mostly underground trains generally run every few minutes from 6am to 11pm Sunday to Wednesday, until midnight Thursday and Saturday, and from 2pm to midnight on Friday, with operating hours typically extended during special events. While Doha’s main streets are not designed to be shared with cyclists, there are a number of dedicated areas for a safe, leisurely pedal, including Doha’s 7km (4.3-mile) seafront Corniche and the sprawling adjacent Al Bidda Park, with bike rental available from the likes of Saikl Bike.Where else in the world can you get to and from a major airport with ease for less than a dollar? In a country where sustainable travel is particularly challenging, the low cost of traveling on the Doha Metro is another great incentive for using this carbon-friendly alternative to taxis. Unless you’re happy with a two-minute noodle diet, spend some time getting to know your stove. Most small camp stoves have just one setting and few bike travelers carry more than two small pots, but with a little creativity you can whip up a delicious meal after a tough day of pedaling. Driving Patagonia’s remoter routes – the legendary Ruta 40 and Carretera Austral – is less challenging than it used to be, but precautions still need to be taken:

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Long-distance cycle tours are a cheap, challenging and entirely unforgettable way to see the world. But are you willing to swap planes and hotel beds for a tent, two wheels and the open road? The modern and efficient Karwa bus system (also run by Mowasalat) connects Doha with just about every town beyond the city limits. (There aren’t many of them.) However, travel can be slow going because of reduced speed limits for buses on major highways. There is no phone coverage outside of towns, so make sure you travel with a spare tire other basic repair equipment – and know how to use it. Other drivers will stop to help in case of breakdown. Runs in Asia include: The Great Wall Marathon (China) Angkor Wat Half Marathon (Cambodia) A Temple Ascent in Pokhara (Nepal) Kyoto's Riverside (Japan) Get more travel inspiration, tips and exclusive offers sent straight to your inbox with our weekly newsletter. Southern Chile offers epic opportunities for boat travelWorld cyclist Jonathan Kambsgaro-Bennett says the question he gets asked most is how far he pedals in a day. His answer? "It depends on the hills, the wind, the road and about a million other things… Especially the wind." It’s not hard to explore far and wide in diminutive but exciting Qatar. It should come as no surprise that this an oil-rich country, many locals prefer to drive, often behind the wheel of eye-wateringly expensive sports cars. Yet the cheap and efficient Doha Metro makes getting around this Gulf nation’s relatively small capital and sister city Lusail a breeze for visitors, with a government bus network serving destinations farther away.

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Taxis and ride-hailing services are surprisingly affordable, while visitors can rent bicycles and electric scooters to explore Doha’s sweeping Corniche and beyond. Visas, hotel stays and restaurant visits add up, but if you’re hoping for a happy medium (a tight food budget and plenty of low-cost or free accommodation with occasional splurges) then you could keep daily costs quite low, depending on the country. However, it's important to factor in travel insurance and emergency money for bike repairs and kit replacements. If exploring Tierra del Fuego, you may need to carry spare canisters of fuel, since gas stations are very few and far between.About Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet is a leading travel media company and the world's number one travel guidebook brand, providing both inspiring and trustworthy information for every kind of traveller since 1973. Over the past four decades, we've printed over 145 million guidebooks and grown a dedicated, passionate global community of travellers. You'll also find our content online, on mobile, video and in 14 languages, 12 international magazines, armchair and lifestyle books, ebooks, and more.