European running Challenge

Sunday 24th February 2019 Split Half Marathon  No 25 Croatia Richard 02:00:39 Jackie 02:13:47 We were unable to find a flight to Split from Manchester in February so we combined Verona and Split and drove down the Dalmatian Coast . The road was spectacular and easy driving which is a good job as it was just under 800km. Its a toll road which I don't mind if it means good driving conditions . Snow capped mountains lined the route and we passed through many tunnels the longest being over 5 km . The weather in Split was equally as good as Verona when we arrived but the locals seemed to suggest it was a bit freakish for the time of year as the event the year before was run in snow . We found a video online that confirmed this . Split  seems on the up the harbour is full of expensive boats and it was making the most of "Game of Thrones" shooting some scenes in the town. The new Abba Movie was also filmed on an Island just off the coast called Vis .  The day before

Verona  Half Marathon Sunday 17th February 2019 No 24 Italy Richard 02:02:29 Jackie 02:13:53 Verona is famous for the setting of the Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet and surprise surprise this half marathon is called the Giulietta and Romeo Half Marathon . Now in its 12th edition it takes place on the Sunday closest to Valentines Day when the City celebrates its "VERONA IN LOVE FESTIVAL" this year running  from the 9th to the 17th of February with activities all week and ending with the half marathon . This year it attracted a record 8890 runners of which 1100 were Foreigners and 2412 were Women. There was also a Duo Marathon where couples could run 10.5 km each . The Balcony . A major tourist attraction . For this trip my sister and her husband were joining us . Liz was new to running and this was only her 2nd half marathon . It was also her birthday on the day which made it extra special . Otto can't be persuaded to take up the sport so was a spectator .

Trail Domein Het Leen 10km 21km 42km  Saturday 9th February 2019  Belgium  No 23 Richard 02:26:53 Jackie 02:36:58 We flew to Brussels Charleroi hired a car and drove to Gent where we were staying . The race was a trail run in the beautiful forest of the provincial domain Leen in Eeklo just half an hour from Gent . The trail run is now in its 6th year and has an entry limit of 750. The entry fee was 12 Euros and there was a choice of a mini trail (6.8km) and 1-4 laps 10.6km-21.1km-31.8km and 42.2km , leaving at various times through the day from 10am to 1pm . The half marathon which we had entered started at 11.00am and had just under 200 runners . We were the only overseas entrants but it felt very much like a home event . There was a large car park next to the start a cafe and toilets and it seemed like we were turning up to a local cross country event all very familiar . The weather was also very familiar cold  windy and showers , yes we felt at home and it was great to do a