Tor on Marathon

Marathon no. 300 !

Sunday May 22nd 2016 I managed to complete my marathon no. 300 at the Telenor Copenhagen Marathon. It was my 11th appearance in this event and it turned out to be a very memorable day indeed with a sweeping blue sky and thousands of cheerful spectators along the beautiful and diverse route though the different hoods of Copenhagen. The weather conditions in one word: HOT! Already at km 8 I sensed where the temperature was going, so I deliberately lowered the pace and focused on a nice, comfortable and secure ride to the finish line. Copenhagen Marathon is for sure of international standard – just as it’s sibling Copenhagen Half Marathon – and I recommend all marathon runners to put list race in their list. So see you in 2017 !

See or relive Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 here:

Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
テレノールコペンハーゲンマラソン2016 – TorのRønnowの写真（日本）
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)
Telenor Copenhagen Marathon 2016 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)

Thursday May 5th 2016 I completed the “Kalkmineløbet Marathon” (Limestone Mine / Underground Marathon) for the third time. This race is an “event”-marathon forcing the runners through two different limestone mines (!) to a total number of 8 times. This particular day May 5th 2016 turned out to be an extremely beautiful one with high blue sky, 20 degrees C and a great atmosphere amongst the runners and the many spectators. The event comprises distances ranging from a Childrens race to a “Batman Ultra (52 km)”, making it possible for all family members to participate in one way or the other. Indeed, Kalkmineløbet is a truly unique experience not to be missed !

Kalkmine Marathon 2016
The route for the marathon distance is a 10.6 km circuit which is run four times. The depart is from the Daugbjerg Mine and the runners are immediately tested on a steep and technically difficult climb in the beautiful forrest landscape of central Jutland. Later, the runners reach another and even more insane climb before entering the Mønsted Mine, the larger of the mines. Only at the end of the circuit the very low and tight Daugbjerg Lime is encountered. I think most hobby runners consider this marathon route to be amongst the toughest around, but it is, for sure, worth every step of pain and hard-won meters.

See or relive Kalkmine Marathon 2016 here:

Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
石灰石鉱山マラソン2016 – TorのRønnowの写真（日本）
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)
Kalkmine Marathon 2016 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)

Sunday April 24th 2016 I completed the METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon for the second time (first in 2013). The weather was quite cold with some gusting winds and all kinds of thinkable precipitation, however, the sun also appeared somewhat often. Thus the pictures turned out just great, actually, and I hope it is clear to everyone that Düsseldorf Marathon is high quality stuff ! The route is very flat and takes you through the major sites in the artful city of Düsseldorf. I will for sure visit this race again.

METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016
The route includes stretches on both sides of the great Rhein river and with several beautiful sights at the Rheinturm.

See or relive METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 here:

METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
METRO GROUPマラソンデュッセルドルフ2016 – TorのRønnowの写真（日本）
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)
METRO GROUP Düsseldorf Marathon 2016 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)

Sunday April 10th 2016 I had the pleasure to complete Maratona di Roma for the fourth time. This race and the eternal city of Rome are some of the dearest of my experiences and memories through my life. This was my 15th visit or so in Rome and this time I introduced the city to my youngest son, a very special thing for me to do. We had but two days in Rome and kept a high pace in order to see as much as possible, still, however, also finding the time for relaxation, reflection and just enjoying the unique atmosphere of Rome.

Rome and the Vatican

Rome is the Eternal city, a treasure of the civilization of Mankind. In Rome you find obelisks from the Egyptians, gold works from the Etruscans, the origin of Christianity, the many landmarks from the Roman Empire and, of course, the famous monuments of the city: Colosseum, San Pietro, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Stairs. All this blends into the historical city in the most elegant manner, just as the many picturesque piazzas, the modern fashion shops, the maný churches, restaurents and cafés. Rome has it all and will capture your heart and soul forrever !

Maratona di Roma 2016
The race day was blessed with beautiful sunshine and nice warm weather and hence the pictures turned out just great ! Awesome, actually !

Maratona di Roma is one of the most spectacular city marathons in the world, no doubt about it. No other route takes you through 3000 years of history right in front of your eyes, and no other route includes sights like San Pietro, Colosseum, Pyramide, Spagna, Piazza Venezia and so on. Objectively, the marathon is superbly organised: professional drink stations, plenty of supplies, fenced-off roads and nice memorablia in terms of a race bag, T-shirt and a beautiful medal. Maratona di Roma is a MUST !

See or relive Maratona di Roma 2016 here:

Maratona di Roma 2016 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Maratona・ディ・ローマ2016（写真集：TorのRønnow）

Maratona di Roma 2016 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Maratona di Roma 2016 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)

Sunday February 28th 2016 I had the pleasure to complete Tokyo Marathon and thus become a Six Star Finisher, ie. to complete all of the six Marathon World Majors. Yay !

Tokyo City

Tokyo is one of the largest cities in the world (+13 million inhabitants) and to include Tokyo Marathon  in the World Marathon Major series is nothing but logical. Having run the race now I will add: and very well deserved ! Apart from hosting this great marathon Tokyo delivers a multitude of interesting turist attractions, a few of which I had the time to explore during my short stay. However, I think that just being in Japan and to experience the Japanese culture and habits is mind-blowing in itself ! But surely, to behold places like the Shibuya Crossing and the Shinjuku Metro Station is part of the “Tokyo Essence”. I loved my stay and felt both very  welcome and a bit “Lost in Translation” at the same time, a pleasantly confusing state of mind, actually.

Tokyo Marathon 2016
The marathon itself was a surprisingly scenic experience as revealed in the race report below.

The race course was quite flat and took you through/by many of the main landmarks in the centre of Tokyo. The organisation was close to impeccable and it was easy to stay informed on the cut-off times (of relevance to me on a “weak day”). Tokyo Marathon is clearly the one of the sex Majors with the highest percentage of sky-line experience on course and this alone makes up for an extremely attractive race. I would guess that the blend of non-Japanese runners in the field was quite low, it might be an idea to get this increased a bit in the Future to come. Anyways, should you consider Tokyo Marathon ? How could you not ?

See or relive Tokyo Marathon 2016 here:

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

東京マラソン2016 – TorのRønnowにより画像（英語）

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)

Tokyo Marathon 2016 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)