Looking for an "exotic" locale to run 42 kilometres next year?
You don't have to go far. CNN Travel named the BMO Vancouver Marathon a must-run for 2013.
In a blog post titled "Run the world: Runner's guide to 2013," CNN Travel writer Fiona Harper recommended one international marathon for each month of the year.
The BMO-sponsored event is scheduled for May 5.
"These days the route is a little more adventurous," begins the post. The writer details the route of the point-to-point marathon through Vancouver's neighbourhoods and seashore. Starting at Queen Elizabeth Park, the route leads runners through Pacific Spirit Park, along Kitsilano beaches, over the Burrard Bridge and around Stanley Park before finishing at the Convention Centre downtown. (The half-marathon starts and ends at the same points, but follows a course along Cambie through downtown.)
"It's worth running simply to take in Vancouver's scenery," wrote Harper.
Vancouver was recommended along with the Dubai Marathon in January, the Dead Sea Marathon in April, the Big Five Marathon in South Africa's Entabeni Game Reserve in June, the Mongolian Sunrise to Sunset Marathon in August and events in Budapest, Los Angeles, Honolulu and two in Australia.
In January last year, Forbes recognized the BMO Vancouver Marathon among their top 10 destination marathons and described the city and event "world-class."
"The largest international marathon in Canada and one of the oldest, the BMO Vancouver Marathon has evolved since 46 runners trotted around Stanley Park back in 1972," reported CNN.
Those runners 43 years ago ran four laps of Stanley Park. Boring, perhaps. But as beautiful as any race, anywhere.
Twitter: @MHStewart
