Tor Rønnow

6 Star Finisher 7 Continents Finisher 75 Marathon countries Author of best-seller running book Mountain hiker Off-piste alpine skier Chess player

Shanghai Marathon 2023

Sunday November 26th 2023 I ran the Shanghai Marathon in China, the last international marathon for me this year. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and many (!) tourist impressions from Shanghai.

Shanghai
Shanghai in two words: fucking wauuu!! OMG, this is an incredible megacity, metropole, display of construction power balancing infrastructure with green areas and new modern world with the historic. I just LOVED Shanghai and was happy to visit landmarks such as the 5 km long Pedestrian street Nanjing Road, The Bund, The Fairmont Peace Hotel (where I had 1 night overlay), the Buddhist Jing’an Temple, The Peoples Park and more. However, the main attraction remains: the incredible skyline, cf. below, with the Oriental Pearl Tower (at left) and the Shanghai Tower (at right, 3rd tallest builing in the world) dominating the scene. This view cannot be watched and enjoyed enough, simply world-class stuff!

Shanghai Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Shanghai Marathon 2023
The race took of at The Bund 07.00 hours and twisted around many areas, places and tall buildings in and near the historical center of Shanghai (I believe). The organisation of the race on race day was nothing less than flawless, e.g. the drink stations each featured two sections for sport drinks and water, respectively, each section typically comprised of +30 tables (!) and, thus, no fuzz or waiting time anytime during the race, very impressive indeed. The route was very scenic – to my taste – and had it’s Finish Line outside a soccer stadion. Here, a small improvement could perhaps be made: why not finish INSIDE the stadion, allowing spectators to sit and for a nicer finish? Anyways, I highly recommend the Shanghai Marathon, it is nothing short of a world class event on race day!

Shanghai Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Shanghai Marathon 2023 here:

Shanghai Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2023 年上海馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(丹麥)提供
上海マラソン 2023 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (デンマーク語)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Shanghai Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Khujand Marathon 2023

Saturday October 14th 2023 I ran the Khujand Marathon in Tajikistan, the last of four marathons in 6 days as part of the “Central Asian Challenge 2023” by Z Adventures. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and a few impressions from Khujand and Tajikistan.

Khujand and Tajikistan
We did not have much time in Khujand to explore the city, so the impressions from Tajikistan came mostly from the bus rides to/from Tashkent. Tajikistan is a country with approx. 9 mio. inhabitants and is one of the most mountainrich countries as well. The history of the city Khujand dates back more than 2500 years (!) and Khujand was once an important stop on thr Silk Road to China. Below also a few snapshots kindly lend from the other runners.

Khujand Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Khujand Marathon 2023
The race series came to it’s conclusion Saturday in Tajikistan, we ran 28 times round in a beautiful Park in Khujand. The route was very flat and easy and the temperatures were very pleasant: 12-18 C, ideal conditions for running. We headed back to Tashkent immediately after the maraton, yet another very busy day with running and travelling. My warm congratulations to all the runners for all finishing all the four races and a special high-five to Nandini Alinier for her first marathon ever, well done here in Khujand! Thus, this report is the final wrap of the “Central Asian Challenge 2023”, it has been an adventure for sure.

Khujand Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Khujand Marathon 2023 here (and in Tajik and Russian) :

Khujand Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2023 年苦盞馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(中文)提供
ホジェンドマラソン 2023 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Khujand Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Kashkent City Marathon 2023

Friday October 13th 2023 I ran the Tashkent City Marathon in Uzbekistan, the third of four marathons in 6 days as part of the “Central Asian Challenge 2023” by Z Adventures. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and a few tourist impressions from Tashkent City.

Tashkent City
Tashkent is the Capital in Uzbekistan, 3.6 mio. inhabitants and thus almost 7 times the population of Copenhagen. Notable landmarks include several spectacular mosques, newly build Government buildings and the Tashkent Old City. Tashkent seemed much more like a modern and more interntionel metropole than Almaty and Bishkek with huge Malls and impressive hotels. Below a few snapshots kindly lend from the other runners.

Tashkent City Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Tashkent City Marathon 2023
The race series continued Friday morning in Uzbekistan, we ran 42 times round a multi stadium in Tashkent. The route was very flat and easy and the temperatures were very unlike the past two race: 10-14 C, ideal conditions for running. We headed towards Tadjikistan and the city Khujand immediately after the maraton, yet another very busy day with running and travelling. But hey, 3/4 done, spirits high!

Tashkent City Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Tashkent Marathon 2023 here (and in Uzbek and Russian) :

Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2023 年塔什幹城市馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(中文)提供
タシケントシティマラソン 2023 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Tashkent City Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023

Wednesday October 11th 2023 I ran the Bishek Ala-Too Marathon in Kyrgyzstan, the second of four marathons in 6 days as part of the “Central Asian Challenge 2023” by Z Adventures. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and from Bishkek City.

Bishkek City and the Ala-Too Mountains
Bishkek is the Capital in Kyrgyzstan, 1 mio. inhabitants and thus almost 2 times the population of Copenhagen. Notable landmarks include the Ala-Too Square and the beautiful mountains nearby, we actually hiked there for 3 hours the day after the marathon! From the bus I saw a park/square where many people played chess, that alone should be a good reason to visit back to Bishkek.

Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023
The race series continued Wednesday morning in the old Botanical Garden in Bishkek. The route was again an out-back thingy to be done 10 times for a full marathon and with a total of approx. 300 elevation height meters. However, the biggest struggle of the day was for sure THE HEAT, we were kind of fried out there, exhausting stuff. Nevertheless, we all prevailed. Well done!

Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 here (and in Kyrgyz and Russian) :

Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2023 年比什凱克阿拉圖馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(中文)提供
ビシュケク アラトゥー マラソン 2023 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Bishkek Ala-Too Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023

Monday October 9th 2023 I ran the Almaty Central Park Marathon in Kazakhstan, the first of four marathons in 6 days as part of the “Central Asian Challenge 2023” by Z Adventures. Find below my full race coverage from a this marathon and from Almaty City.

Almaty City
Almaty is the biggest city in Kazakhstan, +2 mio. inhabitants and thus almost 4 times the population of Copenhagen, just to put into perspective. The city is very green and pleasant to be in, clearly dominated by the former Sovjet regime in terms of architecture and language. Notable landmarks include the wooden orthodox church, the war memorials and the green marked, all featured in the report below.

Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023
The race series started out Monday morning at about 08.00 in the glorious Central Park with magnificant views towards the high, snow-covered mountains in the far. The route was a 2.1 mile loop out-back, to be run 10 times for a full marathon. With a total of 700 ascending height meters it was quite a brutal experience but we all prevaile; I was especially impressed of the veteran runners keeping up both a good (walking) pace and a high spirit. The Challenge was on! On a personal note ths was my marathon country no. 70.

Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 here (and in Kazakh and Russian) :

Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
阿拉木圖中央公園馬拉松 2023 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(中文)提供
アルマトイ中央公園マラソン 2023 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Almaty Central Park Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)