Marathon

Seoul Marathon 2025

Sunday March 16th 2025 I ran the Seoul Marathon in South Korea. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and some tourist impressions from the very impressive city Seoul.

Seoul
I had like 2.5 days in Seoul for tourist activities and managed to see a number of landmarks including the Jogyasa Temple, Gyeongbokgung, Blue House and National Folk Museum of Korea. Seoul is for sure a very exciting place to be, heaps of possibilities for (luxury) shopping, good food and just experiencing the Korean way of life in this impressive, modern metropole. Do go visit!

Seoul Marathon 2025 (South Korea) - Tor Rønnow

Seoul Marathon 2025
The event carried the marathon distance only and with a steep demand to document a previous sub-5 hour marathon achievement. The whole business was hampered by the website/SoMe channels and communication being essentially only-Korean and on race day, the slower runners like myself had their race “destroyed” by much-too-early road openings, thus running in open traffic, on pavements, waiting for green signals etc. This was a shame for an otherwise very nice event and marathon route, visiting many landmarks and spectacular sites in Seoul. I’ll recommend this race to all sub-5 marathoners.

Seoul Marathon 2025 (South Korea) - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Seoul Marathon 2025 here (and in Korean)

Seoul Marathon 2025 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2025 年首爾馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
ソウルマラソン2025 – 画像・写真:Tor Rønnow(日本語)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Seoul Marathon 2025 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Marathon du Sénégal 2025

Sunday Feb. 23rd 2025 I ran Marathon du Sénégal in and about Saly (south of Dakar, Sénégal). Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and tourist impressions from Dakar.

Dakar and Gorée Island
I enjoyed 2 days in Dakar and 2 days in Saly, give or take. Dakar is famous for the now terminated Dakar Rally but also the the Gorée Island, which I shortly visited Friday afternoon. To see the “Maison des Esclaves” from where the slaves were deported to America made a big impression and send associations to so many things, for some reason firstly the 1970s TV-series “Roots” and the story of “Kunta Kinte” based on the novel of Alex Haley (I read the novel as well when I was 11). So take a look at the picture below of the “Door of No Return” and dwell a few minutes of the impacts of the american slavery. Makes me so sad on so many levels, for so many destinies over so many hundreds of years!
I saw a bunch of other landmarks in Dakar as well, most notably Monument de la Renaissance Africaine and Mosque of the Divinity. But Gorée was “it”.

 Marathon du Sénégal 2025 (Sénégal) - Tor Rønnow

Marathon du Sénégal 2025
The event carried several distances: marathon, half marathon, 10 K and 5 K. The route was almost completely flat, for all distances out south and back the same way. There were security/Police all the way and they stood there even waiting for me to finish all day long, cudos and big thanks for that effort! Well, it became VERY WARM during the day, 34 C in the shadows, we ran in direct sun, thus it became impossible for me to run at about half ways. My suggestion for going forward: add some bananas, some Coca Cola and drinks with electrolytes for the half and marathon runners, ie. at the water stations at 10 km, 15 km and 21 km (which are passed twice by the marathon runners). Also, if possible, add a page in English on the website, gathering all the important information about the race, registration etc.
In total, I am very happy to have completed this race and experienced both Dakar and Saly. Thanks!

Marathon du Sénégal 2025 (Sénégal) - Tor Rønnow

See or relive Marathon du Sénégal 2025 here (and in Arabic)

Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2025 年塞內加爾馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
セネガルマラソン2025 – 画像・写真:Tor Rønnow(日本語)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Marathon du Sénégal 2025 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Egyptian Marathon 2025

Friday January 10th 2025 I ran the Egyptian Marathon in Egypt. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and superb tourist impressions from both the Great Pyramid in Giza and from Luxor.

Cairo and the Pyramids in Giza
My trip started out with an evening in Cairo, ie. more precisely in Giza, even more precisely: Hotel Great Pyramid Inn, where I sat eating on the balcony on the 5th floor overlooking the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx, just an incredible experience!

Egyptian Marathon 2025 (Egypt) - Tor Rønnow

Luxor and the Valley of Kings
It was a very short day, but we managed to see quite a lot: Luxor is just mindblowing! We started off with the Hatshepsut Temple, that followed by the Colossi of Memnon, the (Habu) Temple of Ramesses III and, importantly – the main attraction – the Valley of the Kings. There, we saw the tombs of Merenptah (KV 8), Tutankhamun (!, KV 62), Ramses V/VI (KV 9), Ramses III (KV 11) and the majestic Sety 1 (KV 17), just out of this world extraordinary experiences! To wander the history of the past like 3500 years is just, well, I cannot find the words for it but I am truly grateful to have seen all these sites (it will take some time to digest and further investigate). OK, so in the evening I saw also the Karnak Temple by night, another complete and overwhelming feat of the Old Egyptians, thier Gods and Pharaohs. Brilliant stuff!

Egyptian Marathon 2025 (Egypt) - Tor Rønnow

Egyptian Marathon 2025
The event carried a multitude of distances: marathon, half marathon (Luxor Run), Ramses Run (12 K) and Hatshepsut Run (5K). The marathon was four times the same loop, there were some height meters in the mix and the Sun took a toll on us slower runners as well, but overall a fine experience, well organized for sure. Oh, and in the morning: the balloons! Oh my! There were big and so many of them. Spectacular! I’d say that this marathon is not to be missed, ie. the context of the event not to be missed; Luxor!

Egyptian Marathon 2025 (Egypt) - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Egyptian Marathon 2025 here (and in Arabic)

Egyptian Marathon 2025 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2025 年埃及馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
エジプトマラソン2025 – 画像・写真:Tor Rønnow(日本語)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Egyptian Marathon 2025 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Islamabad Marathon 2025

Sunday January 26th 2025 I ran the Islamabad Marathon in Pakistan. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and superb tourist impressions from Islamabad.

Islamabad City and Landmarks
During my short visit in Islamabad, I joined a Viator-trip “Top Ten Wonders of Islamabad Guided City Tour” showcasing all the major landmarks of Islamabad, a brilliant way to see the city indeed! Whilst the Pakistan monument (constructed to symbolize the unity of the nation, covering a total area of 2.8 hectares (6.9 acres), located on a famous hill knows as Shakarparyaan) and the Faisal Mosque (located on the foothills of Margalla Hills in Islamabad is one of the biggest mosque in Pakistan – can accommodate about 300,000 worshipers) were spectacular, the crown of the tour was the very pictoresque Islamabad Jama Masjid Golra Sharif Mosque.

More importantly, my visit to Islamabed made me realize why Pakistan and India had to be two seperate countries. I guess I always thought of the Pakistanees as the “bad guys” after the Ghandi movie back in 1981, but after visiting Mubia (India) last year and now Islamabad, I deeply sense why these people / tribes / religions / cultures cannot co-exist, not putting any blame, just gaing a profound hinsight on the matter. This widsom alone justifies the visit to Islamabad/Pakistan and I am very humble and grateful for the experiences!

Islamabad Marathon 2025 (Pakistan) - Tor Rønnow

Islamabad Marathon 2025
The event carried a multitude of distances: marathon, half marathon, kids fun run, 10K and 5K, thus quite a big thing. On the positive side: everybody were very friendly and helpful, very nice atmosphere before and during the race, everybody were allowed to finish (ie. no 6 hour time limit upheld) and, most importantly, the event is a unique possibility to visit Islamabad and Pakistan. I’ll warmly recommend the Islamabad Marathon, see for yourself in the race report below. Whilst the overall experience of the event was “good”, I will also gently put forward these points for improvement to professionalize the event and maximize the positive experiences in the future:
1. Put forward (and in good time) more clear pre-race communication on logistics, route, etc.
2. Increase the toilet capacity by a factor of 10 plus add at least 4 “toilet stations” en route
3. Post the results online after the race maximum 2 days after the race; use netto times
4. Make the agreements with the authorities and police about road closures etc. such that the races start at the announced times

Islamabad Marathon 2025 (Pakistan) - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Islamabad Marathon 2025 here (and in Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil and Arabic)

Islamabad Marathon 2025 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2025 年伊斯蘭堡馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
イスラマバードマラソン2025 – 画像・写真:Tor Rønnow(日本語)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Islamabad Marathon 2025 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Tirana Marathon 2024

Sunday October 20th 2024 I ran the Tirana Marathon in Albania. Find below my full race coverage from this marathon and a few tourist impressions from Tirana.

Tirana City
I enjoyed half a weekend in Tirana, Albania, where I managed to visit a few landmarks, most notably the Bunk’art 1 and Bunk’art 2 museums / bunkers, bearing witness to the atrocities of WWII and the thereafter following Sovjet regime. On the lighter side, it was a pleasure to experience the relaxed night life and the famous Skanderbeg Square of Tirana.

Tirana Marathon 2024 (Albania) - Tor Rønnow

Tirana Marathon 2024
The event carried a multitude of distances: marathon, half marathon, 10 and 5K, thus quite a big thing in Albania, which is amongst the poorest of the European countries. Anyways, the marathon route was two times the half marathon, a quite tough tour around the city centre plus the Tirana Grand Park, at the latter the “modern cobblestones” killed our legs! There was some confusion on what the time limit was and in general this event should step up it’s game when it comes to communication both before, during and after the race day.

Tirana Marathon 2024 (Albania) - Tor Rønnow

See or relive the Tirana Marathon 2024 here (and in Albanian and Greek)

Tirana Marathon 2024 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2024 年地拉那馬拉松 – 圖片/照片由 Tor Rønnow(中文)提供
ティラナマラソン 2024 – 画像/写真 by Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Tirana Marathon 2024 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)