With the now attenuated “pandemic effect” – which has forced the cancellation of almost all the competitive calendars for more than a year- the large industry that today ranges from classical athletics to adventure events, all over the world, is already in full swing. Until a few decades ago, these were activities concentrated in small groups of runners, including a few professionals. But since the boom of the New York marathon, promoted in 1970 by Fred Lebow, the running movement has spread all over the world and it’s not just about professional competitions. Today It is a sector that includes tourism and multiple services (mainly in sports equipment and clothing) and whose technical aspect ranges from the usual races on track, road or course, to new activities: mountain and trail races, biathlon and triathlon, ultramarathons, adventure events and extreme sports.
What concerns a the popular marathons -carried out in the cities, on a course of 42,195 meters which maintains the tradition established at the 1908 London Olympic Games- the most important in the world are grouped today in a category called “majors”, which even have this recognition from the International Athletics Federation track and field (world athletics). Three of these marathons are held in the United States (Boston in April, Chicago in October and New York in November) and the circuit also includes Tokyo (March), London (April) and Berlin (September). The reasons for participating in these competitions are many, from the tourist attraction of the cities to the possibility of participating in an ideal atmosphere, where everyone tries to achieve their goal or share with friends. And New York is, in this sense, the most attractive. According to European tour operators “Nine out of 10 requests from fans to run the marathon are for New York”. This marathon has a quota of 50,000 participants and it is practically “impossible” to register for the draw which takes place a year before each edition. But the organizers have quotas for tour operators in several countries, who sell “packages” ranging from $2,000 to $3,500 per person. There they guarantee their buyers a place on departure, passage, accommodation and various services.
Boston, with a quota extendable to 35,000 attendees, is also difficult to access – for many fans even the “brand” is required – but it has its charm: it is the proof with the longest tradition in competitive sport. In Europe, registration costs are lower and, above all, Berlin offers other advantages: above all for those who want to “run fast” or reach their personal record. In the case of elite athletes, it’s a near ideal circuit and where almost all world records have been set in the last ten yearsespecially with that Kenyan phenomenon called Eliud Kipchoge.
But there is a “world” beyond the majors and other marathons are growing considerably, especially Seville and Valencia in Spain. And with cheaper prices. Valencia, with a quota of 30,000 runners in its last edition held in December, welcomed almost 50% of foreigners, who have left an impact of almost 25 million dollars in tourism for the city. In Latin America, both the 21 km of Buenos Aires (average of 20,000 runners per year) and the International Marathon of our capital (which fluctuates between 8,000 and 10,000 runners) are the most attractive events, especially for the tourist attraction -mainly towards the Brazilians- and for the advantages of the circuit, which is totally flat.
Beyond the Marathon
But, as we mentioned, the offer of races today extends far beyond the conventional circuit of roads or courses. Only in our country is there a busy calendar of events of all kinds to combine sporting experience, the desire to excel or the pleasure of tourism. He Crossing of the Andes Organized by the Club de Corredores – three days to unite one of our border cities with Chile, through the majestic Andean landscape – it attracted more than two thousand participants from 35 countries in the last December edition. Between racing in the mountains, the 42k of Villa Angostura Promoted by Patagonia Eventos, it is also a classic that is part of the world circuit of this type of event (Solomon Series) and has already received a world championship edition.
A recent survey by Runners World magazine specified what they are the most expensive “extreme tests” – financially – for those who try them, in their desire for adventure. Heading the list is a challenge called the “World Marathon Challenge,” which involves running seven trials over seven days and in seven different cities, overcoming jet-lag and all kinds of hardships. The cost for registration, accommodation and tickets reaches 30 thousand dollars and in the latest version it covered cities such as Sydney, Cape Town, Madrid, Miami and Dubai.
Second place in costs -18 thousand dollars- corresponded to the “Highland Kings Ultra”, a test of almost 200 kilometers in four days through the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland’s west coast. “Run like a warrior, rest like a king” is the motto of the event, which at the end of each day promises attendees overnight stays in luxury hotels, swimming pools, dinners and even personalized attention with a butler. Always about 18 thousand dollars is the cost, in November of each year, to participate in the “Antarctic Ice Marathon” whose daredevil runners must face the icy climate of the white continent, the winds and the gamble of the course. The Atacama Crossing, in Chile, consists of 250 kilometers for a week through the desert, one of the most inhospitable in the world. The cost of registration – including transfers, accommodation and logistics – ranges between $6,900 and $9,000. And the list is completed with one of the most famous extreme trials, the so-called Marathon des Sables, 250 kilometers for a week across the Sahara desert: sign up for $5,500.
The fact that it is the most expensive, does not mean they are the most demanding. Among the latter could be the Everest Marathon, whose registration varies between 1,000 and 3,500 dollars, depending on the specialty chosen. It’s not about climbing the top of the world – which costs between 50,000 and 100,000 dollars – but about running a marathon from the Everest Expedition base camp (5,400 meters above sea level) to the Manche Bazaar area (3,4000 meters). . The entire route is downhill, cold but with a ride through Kathmandu and epic views to make up for one hell of a hard ride. Another that is considered the non plus ultra of pain and suffering is the “Hurt 100 TrailRun”, about 160 kilometers through a tropical jungle, courage and a thousand obstacles in a corner of Hawaii. There is something for everyone. and all costs.
Source: Clarin
