And a Happy New Year to you too !

I eagerly look forward to 2014 and to hopefully a much better running year than this past 2013, which turned out to be a bit of a nightmare for me personally. My left foot was in pain for most of the year, actually I have not been able to perform a proper “run stride” since August 2012 ! So I really beg for a miracle to happen to bring me back into the game, I miss the daily training and I miss to “try my best” at the marathons. Performing a sub-4 hour marathon again in 2014 would be a dream come true !

H.C. Andersen Marathon

There are a number of events that I look forward to in 2014. Obviously, participating in the World Half Marathon Championships in Copenhagen will be a unique experience. Shy of two months later I will celebrate my marathon 10-years anniversary in the annual NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon, as you know one of my favorite events. And in the autumn I hope to revisit Odense and the H.C. Andersen Marathon, the second-largest marathon in Denmark and a class act for sure !

You will find other classy races in my list for 2014, and only class events will appear on my list !  I sincerly hope that 2014 will be the year where people realize that quality is essential to, yes, everything, also running events. I think the current trend towards e.g. trail and natural running are proofs hereof . See you out there !

The City of Florence
As you might know, the author Dan Brown choose Florence as the main city in which to unfold his plot in the thriller “Inferno”.

The choice is probably not accidential when you consider the historical importance and reputation of Florence, not to mention the divene “sons” of the city, the renaissance artists like Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. So surely, having a marathon in this beautiful city is a must, and such has in fact existed now for 30 years ! Below you find my entire race report, however, let’s start with a few impressions of the city of Florence.

The Art in Florenze
The biggest attraction in Florence must be the incredible David statue by Michelangelo. You have to stand before this 4 meter high masterpiece in marble to understand why. It is simply beyond words, yes, beyond this world !  Add the fact that it was finished in the year 1504 B.C. and you’re left with one of the most incredible pieces of  art you will ever see.

A trip to Florence is justified alone by seeing David, but once there you’d obviously pay visits to the Duomo Church and to the Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries (amongst other attractions).

Firenze Marathon 2013
Ok, the race itself, Firenze Marathon was a very nice experience ! The route was extremely scenic, the event was well organized, and the weather turned out just perfect this late Sunday in November 2013.

In conclusion, it’s pretty easy to recommend a visit to both Florence and it’s marathon race. When I re-visit the marathon through my pictures here, I’m not one second in doubt: Firenze Marathon was my best this year 2013 !

See or relive Firenze Marathon 2013 here:

Firenze Marathon 2013 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

Firenze Marathon 2013 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Firenze Marathon 2013 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)

For the second year in a row and the fourth time in toto I have had the priviledge and pleasure to participate in one of the biggest sport events on the planet, the majestic BMW Berlin Marathon.

Once again, we runners were blessed by a day with perfect weather for running, 5-15 degrees Celcius, no wind. The Kenyan Wilson Kipsang was not only the fastest of all but the fastest ever, thus booking a new world record: 2.03.23 ! What a feat – my biggest congratulations !

Below you find a series of the best pictures of the day and the full story is in the links. Enjoy.

See or relive BMW Berlin Marathon 2013 here:

BMW Berlin Marathon 2013 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

BMW Berlin Marathon 2013 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

BMW Berlin Marathon 2013 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)

I ran my first marathon in Copenhagen in May 2004 and this event have had a special place in my heart ever since.

NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon 2013 – Foto: Tor Rønnow

Thus, I was thrilled to take on my 9th challenge with the scenic route in the capital of Denmark this past Sunday. The event and the route did’nt fail me, however the weather turned out a bit on the wet side and my health issued unexpected “errors” making the day overall too much of a struggle and too little of that enjoyment that I normally associate with this favorite race of mine, NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon. In the larger perspective such days are unavoidable and my small personal issues can of course not alter the review of the event: TOP DOLLAR ! Yes, as always, my compliments to the hard working organizers and staff from Sparta making this classy event come true. You may see or relive NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon 2013 here:

NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon 2013 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon 2013 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

NYKREDIT Copenhagen Marathon 2013 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)

Preceding the race I gave a very nice interview to Politiken on the love of running marathon, you may find a pdf version here: On the Love for Marathon Running – Tor Rønnow (Danish). In the article I stress the fact that running is for everyone no matter age nor constitution which agains links to another recent article from LØBEREN where I express my respect to all you people making an effort out there, be it 500 meters or 100 miles. Remember, 30 minutes of exercise each day will keep the doctor away ! (Or at least reduce the likelihood)

Update of the “in the press” section
I have updated my “in the press” section with various articles since mid 2011, the most notable ones being the very fine review on ELSK AT LØBE (now available in the stores and in the netshops again)…

ELSK AT LØBE – Tor Rønnow, Bente Klarlund Pedersen

.. and a fine interview in LøbeMagasinet, the leading magazine on running in Denmark : Tor Rønnow – Den passionerede løber. Other articles include interviews to Politken and other (national) newspapers and different spots on TV 2, one of the main television channels in Denmark. Enjoy the reading if you dare.

The experienced reader will understand that quite a few quotes and points of view stem from this source (me!) only to be copied or re-stated by others. I take that as a compliment, thank you ! We have had diffent topics up for discussion through the years, sometimes in quite fiercely ways. The experienced reader will know that I definitively keep a proven record to have an intuition that does not fail. Thus, I “brought up” the GPS-running watches in 2003 (before the first GARMIN Forerunner !) , running style in 2004 (long before the trend of Natural Running), compression socks in 2007 and well, a few other things. I believe I was also the first to continously to elaborate on the link between running and spirituality and mind power in the danish running spheres. Just so you know. So the next thing will be ? I’ll keep you posted !

I have known and written for long that Germany for sure is such a great country to visit and be in and especially for running marathons. The “German” countries like Germany, Austria and Switerzerland are just superior in the craft of logistics and it is very rare that the maratons in these countries are not top events in all details of such events.

Yet, we are still up for surprises ! And what a delight to discover the artful city of Düsseldorf

and the great experience of Düsseldorf Marathon ! This is a gem, the route is great and the race delivers many scenic spots and a stunning finish at the bed of the Rhine.

See or relive Düsseldorf Marathon 2013 here:

Düsseldorf Marathon 2013 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

Düsseldorf Marathon 2013 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Düsseldorf Marathon 2013 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)