European running Challenge

Sunday 30th September 2018 No 14 Richard 01:58:18 Jackie 02:16:39 So this is halfway we have had a week off since Stockholm but now we have five in a row .We were looking forward to this as its a short flight another first visiting Luxembourg and the weather's getting cooler . The race called Route du Vin has been going since 1962 so this is its 57th year an impressive heritage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Route_du_Vin_Half_Marathon The area round Remich and the Moselle River was wonderful we were blown away by the scenery and the tranquility . It's very much a tourist area but the season was ending and it wasn't overcrowded as I imagine it would be in the middle of summer . We stumbled across a small owner run cafe/bar/ restaurant and the food was so good we returned for a second night . Pasta was a specialty and it was the best I have had and not expensive .    So everything was great , the area the food the accommodation plus the t-shirt a

So we are now nearly half way through the challenge and are on course to complete it by 1st April 2019 . It has been difficult to find the races and plans have had to be changed . We were booked for Porto on the 16th September but it clashed with Stockholm on the 15th . The running calendar in Sweden appeared to shut down for the winter after this date so we altered our plans at the last minute .We have now covered the Scandinavian countries Denmark , Finland and Sweden and the three Baltic States Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania .Neither of us had visited these countries before and we enjoyed them immensely. Brexit is now in full swing but doesn't seem to be attracting much interest  with the people we have met, but I guess every country has its own agenda and worries . We have been made very welcome everywhere and the UK has been well represented in most of the races . As far as the challenge goes after 13 races I have had to donate 5 x £10.00 for not completing the half marathon d

A good write up for us in Rochdale Online . Rochdale Harriers to run 28 half marathons in all 28 EU countries Richard and Jackie Mason at the Helsinki Half Marathon Two inspirational members of Rochdale Harriers have set a challenge to run 28 half marathons in all 28 European Union countries for charity. Richard and Jackie Mason, of Healey, have so far completed nine races, raising £390 to be split between Rochdale and District Round Table Charitable Trust, Royal National Life Boat Institution, British Heart Foundation and the British Red Cross. The couple started the challenge with the Rochdale half marathon on 8 October 2017 and have run more than 130 miles to date across England, Ireland, Malta, France, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Finland, and Lithuania, where they took on their first marathon, and even cycled between London and Paris. All trips are being funded by Richard and Jackie, who are avoiding races in July and August due to the hot weather. Richard said: “I

Saturday  15th September 2018 Stockholm Half Marathon No 13 Richard 01:57:50 Jackie 02:14:15 After the problem with my calf in the last 2 km of the Tallinn race I was very worried I had picked up an injury . We had a sports massage in Tallinn and after a couple of days it started feeling better , but I was still left with the feeling that an injury could jeopardize the whole challenge . The thing about doing the City races is that there is loads to do and see before and after the race so resting can be difficult and it is easy to clock up 10 to 15 km sight seeing . The highlight of our Tallinn trip was a visit to the Sea Plane Harbour Museum . Highly recommended if you get the chance. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaplane_Harbour  We caught the ferry from Tallinn to Stockholm an overnight crossing and we were treated to a nights cabaret entertainment Ukrainian style . Once in Stockholm the sightseeing continued with a visit to the Abba Museum and there was a Andy Warhol

Sunday 9th September 2018 No 12  Richard 01:55:19 Jackie 02:15:22 This was a big event for Tallinn and Estonia as it was taking place in the centenary year of the creation of the Republic of Estonia . One hundred years of the Republic of Estonia "On February 24, 2018, one hundred years passed from the proclamation of Estonia as an independent, democratic republic. This is undoubtedly one of the most important and greatest milestones in our history with great meaning for us all. The centenary is a celebration for everyone and the perfect opportunity for us to join our efforts towards building a better future together. " The Marathon ,Half Marathon 10km and 5km were set to enjoy the largest participation event in Estonia's 100 year history . Also the event was due to attract the largest number of foreign participants . Over the 3 days over 20.000 people took part a new record and not bad for a country with a population of  only 1.3 million. They re

Sunday 2nd September  2018 No 11  Richard 02:00:56 Jackie 02:23:01 To fit all 28 half marathons in before the 1st April 2019 it has been necessary to look beyond the big city runs and use the internet to find smaller more local events . We came up with a gem in Denmark the "Skovloberen" trail race . It was organized by a company called Sporti.dk who run events in Denmark and Norway which as well as running include bike races , triathlon ,and even hunting ,skiing and sailing .  https://www.sporti.dk/en/event/activity.php?id=5057    The event  took place in Hvalso a small town a forty minute train ride from Copenhagen Central station . We were staying in Copenhagen and with a midday start we caught the train in the morning . There are two trains an hour and the race headquarters was a five minute walk  from the station . The race exclusively takes place on forest roads in the Mid-Zealandic forests which are part of the national park Skjoldungernes