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)

After half a year with injury I finally booked yet another marathon and in my favorite city of all – Rome !

I am far beoynd the point where I find the number of marathons interesting in itself, nowadays I emphasize quality and experience far more. And Rome is for sure one of the places where everything come out with top grades – the museums, the race, the food and the general atmosphere. I’d really have liked to be able to “compete”/perform, but with average 5 K a week since october, this is not possible at the present. Makes me feel like this :

Ok, Maratona di Roma 2013 was obviously a specacular and very well organized event. It was of course a loss not to pass San Pietro according to the normal course map but I still give my credits to the race organisation for keeping everybody well informed during the time of uncertainty of the enthronement of the new Pope Francis.

The last 8 km of the route were the “normal” ones including the outstanding and spectacular finish at the Colosseum. Please find the complete race report in the links below.

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

Rome Marathon 2013 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Maratona di Roma 2013 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)

By tradition, I hereby give my you my take on the best marathons in 2012, i.e. amongst the ones I have participated in myself. Best does not necessarily mean ‘objectively best’ but does also emphasize the magnitude of the experience including ‘other’ factors such as city/nature facilities etc. not to mention my own performance.

I have divided the marathons into four groups and as always, you find links to the races via ‘My marathons’ in the menu.

Overall
1. Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon (Denmark)
2. Jungfrau Marathon (Switerzerland)
3. BMW Berlin Marathon (Germany)
4. Prague Marathon (Czech Republic)
5. Vienna Marathon (Austria)

City marathons
1. Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon (Denmark)
2. BMW Berlin Marathon (Germany)
3. Prague Marathon (Czech Republic)
4. Vienna Marathon (Austria)
5. Hamburg Marathon (Germany)

Nature runs
1. Jungfrau Marathon (Switerzerland)
2. Stockholm Jubileum Marathon (100 years 1912-2012) (Sweden)
3. Venice Marathon (Italy)
4. Kalkminemarathon [Limestone Mine Marathon] (Denmark)
5. LøbeMagasinet Rudersdal (Denmark)

Small races
1. Dr. Nielsens (Denmark)
2. Kalkminemarathon [Limestone Mine Marathon] (Denmark)
3. Kalundborg Vintermarathon (Denmark)
4. Sydkyst (Denmark)
5. Skinnermarathon (Denmark)

These are lists based on my personal experiences, of course. To mentain memory of the best races ‘ever’, I have a category of the ‘all-time best’ marathons as well. Here, the big marathons do live up to their famous names !

Best ever
1. New York (USA)
2. Zermatt (Switerzerland)
3. London (England)
4. Rome (Italy)
5. Chicago (USA)

Sometimes you’re in luck, sometimes not. The latter was sadly the case for this year’s showcase of the Venice Marathon, the race saw some of the worst weather conditions ever and Venice City saw the highest floodings for two years during the marathon weekend.

Venice Marathon is special as for being a point-to-point marathon very similar to Boston Marathon, ie. a very long roadtrip in the country side…

… and endning up in the midst of the real deal, Venice City, at the very end.

The race is flat and probably quite fast under normal conditions and the organisation is “ok” (with some serious flaws, mind you). However, there can be little doubt that the real and primal attraction of this marathon in indeed Venice City itself…

… a romantic and seductive city…

… obviously with the Marcus Square and the Rialto Bridge as the most known attactions.

See or relive Venice Marathon 2012 here including pictures of Venice City:

Venice Marathon 2012 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

Venice Marathon 2012 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

Venice Marathon 2012 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)

I, the Dark Knight of marathons,

LOL, have visited Berlin Marathon twice before but this dates back to 2004 and 2006, being my marathon races no. 2 and 28 . A few more runs have been added to my list meanwhile, however, I was quite excited to revisit the German Capital for it’s famous often World Record setting race, one of the five World Major Marathons and for sure the race with most danes in it besides Nykredit Copenhagen Marathon (in Denmark).

We runners were blessed by a day with perfect weather for running, 14-16 degrees Celcius, no wind.

The route in Berlin is adventureous and diverse…

… alone the start itself is an experience for life …

.. with the swift passing of the Siegessäule…

… and many spectacular sights along the route…

… including the place (Rathaus Schöneberg) for the legendary words of President John F. Kennedy…

… and of course the Brandenburger Tor, almost, but only almost, named after me.

Obviously, Berlin Marathon is recommended with the highest possible of grades !

See or relive BMW Berlin Marathon 2012 here:

BMW Berlin Marathon 2012 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)

BMW Berlin Marathon 2012 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)

BMW Berlin Marathon 2012 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)