Latest news with #running
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
I went to the Greek island that's the ‘birthplace of marathons' and ran the most beautiful 13 miles in the world
I'M 16 kilometres in and almost sorry I only have five more to go. On my right are the sparkling seas and ancient fortifications of Rhodes; on my left, craggy hills rise up into the blue sky. 6 6 Around me are 4,500 sweaty other runners, all soaking up the beautiful course that is the TUI Rhodes half-marathon. I've run a lot of different places — along New York's Brooklyn Bridge, around France's Mont Saint-Michel, even in the moat at London's Tower of London — but this is easily one of the most beautiful. Starting in the middle of town, the two large 10km loops take the runners (some who will do it twice to complete a marathon) along the water's edge, past the town's old fortified walls, around the Rhodes Windmills, before throwing a hill or two in there to really get the heart pumping. I have always wanted to do a run in Greece — it's the birthplace of the marathon. And thanks to the stunning scenery, perfect climate and cheers of supportive locals, plus 700 volunteers who beam as they hand out gels and water along the way, I'm glad I've finally made it out here. At 20km in, I see the pro marathon runners on the other side of the course. And I realise that, thanks to the trail, these gazelles are likely to lap some of the slower half-marathon runners. I better pick up my pace. Soon, it's 500 metres to go, 400, 300 . . . suddenly, in the crowd, I spot my husband cheering me on and I give it one last push, thundering over the line in 1hr 55mins. I'm happy with the result, and even happier that, for the rest of the day, I have the Greek sun — and even more importantly, Greek food — to revive me. I'm here for the TUI Collection experiences, a package that allows you to get flights, sign up to run 5km, 10km, a half-marathon or even a marathon, and relax at an all-inclusive. The adult-only Greek hotel with laid-back DJs and hidden beach After all, as much as we all love a fly and flop, TUI have realised how hot running is currently. And they are happy to deliver packages to help you head to some of the most picturesque destinations for your next race. TUI are supporting more and more sports events, including a run (marathon, half, 10km and 5km) in Palma on October 19. Swim-up suites Tired out from my exertions, I spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool at the stunning, adults-only Imperial Atlantica resort, beside the shimmering Mediterranean and Kolymbia's Blue Flag beach. While the shoulder season means the sun disappears behind some clouds every so often, it's still warm enough to sunbathe — and is quieter and cheaper than the summer months. The facilities are that little bit quieter, too, meaning I get an easy slot in the hotel's sauna to help my muscles recover, and score a great spot by the pool. 6 6 Even in entry level rooms, you're treated to Nespresso coffee machines, bathrobes and slippers. And for extra luxury, you can plump for one of the swim-up suites that lead straight out onto the many pools winding their way through the resort. But if you get tired of relaxing, I would heartily recommend getting out of the hotel and exploring the local area. The Old Town in Rhodes is filled with fantastic shops and restaurants — and we fill up post-marathon with mouth-watering dolmades, tzatziki, stews and a final delectable bite of baklava. Meanwhile, you can sign up to olive oil or wine tasting courses, explore Lindos Acropolis and hike up the mountains that dot around the island. Our own trip is over too quickly, and we sit by our personal pool until the very last moment when the taxi arrives to drive us half an hour to the airport. But there's no chance I'll be forgetting this holiday. After all, unlike other trips, I have a physical medal as my souvenir. And we do all deserve a little reward now and then.
Times
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Inside Josh Kerr's training camp, a running mecca 5,000 miles from home
T he sun has yet to rise over the Sandia Mountains that provide a spectacular backdrop to his New Mexico home but Josh Kerr has already sent a video message to one of his training partners. 'Hope you're enjoying your lie-in,' he says to Brandon Miller, which is Kerr's way of letting the American know that today, like every other day, he means business. It is 5.30am and within four minutes Miller has fired back a message to his friend and tormentor. He too is up and preparing for a track session that will leave Britain's 1,500m world champion and double Olympic medal-winner seeking the shade of a tree while trying not to vomit. The exchange between Kerr and Miller is good-humoured but there is method to this early-morning madness. Kerr wants every workout to count and he endeavours to do this by creating a sense of competition among the professional runners who form the Brooks Beasts Track Club. 'We're not f***ing around here,' he says.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Dame Kelly Holmes on why summer is a great time to get fit and healthy, whatever your age
As the weather warms up and you can't hide under baggy jumpers any longer, now's the time to get fitter, healthier and leaner. And no matter what your fitness level, you may take inspiration from Olympic champion runner Dame Kelly Holmes, who still loves the challenge of keeping fit, despite retiring from the track many years ago. At the age of 55, Holmes still runs three times a week, as well as doing weight training, and she's urging others – whatever their age – to try to improve their fitness for the summer too. 'I keep fit for both my body to still do the things I want to do and for my mental health,' she says. 'I don't have an agenda with running as such – if I enter a half marathon, I'm doing it as a challenge to myself to keep moving. 'I don't want to not do it, I can't not do it – I have to do something,' she declares. 'I think it's a really positive thing for people to keep moving.' The former athlete, who won two gold medals in the 800m and 1500m at the 2004 Athens Olympics, is encouraging people of all ages to use any good summer weather as a motivation to up their fitness levels and generally look after themselves. She says: 'With the longer days, people are able to fit a lot more in, and good weather gives you that lifted spirit – you see more people walking, running, and cycling, and a lot of people, maybe like me, use that freedom of time to keep fitter. I think nice weather really helps – it just makes you feel good, doesn't it?' Holmes loves doing parkruns, and is an ambassador for nutritional supplements Solgar's partnership of The Great Run series, which includes last month's Great Manchester Run and the Great North Run in September. She was at the Manchester run, a 10k race and half marathon, which she was hoping to run in herself, but was unable to after straining her calf doing a parkrun. She says: 'I've done a lot of training from a very, very young age, and it's obviously going to have an impact on my body now, but equally with my age and being a woman, there's a lot of talk around the effects of menopause on your ligaments, tendons, etc, and that's what I'm finding at the moment. So it's about managing the body. 'It's important to me to lead by example, so I'll get injuries, but I'll always get them if I'm going to keep training, so I've got to manage them and limit them.' Despite her slight injury, Holmes still helped support some of the 35,000 runners in Manchester, and met Keely Hodgkinson and Ann Packer, who, with her, are the only British women to win 800m Olympic gold. She will also be at the Great North Run, and will share tips on training, race day preparation, and recovery. But she stresses that being fit and healthy isn't just about looking better and feeling physically fitter. 'Keeping moving and feeling good helps your self-esteem as well, and your confidence, general outlook on life and positivity,' she explains. 'And if all that starts going downhill, you don't feel you're healthy from body and mind and internally and externally, so all those things start to dwindle, which will obviously then affect your mental health. 'It's not just about the big win in the big race – it's also about the small everyday wins and those moments of self-care that keep us happy and healthy.' Holmes retired from competitive running 20 years ago, and she points out that her lifestyle these days is a long way from that of an elite athlete. 'I've been retired a long, long time,' she says. 'I'm definitely not in a 'normal' category, but my lifestyle is conducive to going out and enjoying myself and having meals etc. 'The fact is that if I want to keep strong, if I want to show up, if I still want to inspire people – I do – if I want to prove that it doesn't matter what age you are you can still push your body to a certain degree or achieve things, then I've got to start looking after myself.' As well as running and keeping fit generally, Holmes is careful with nutrition, saying: 'I've had a lifestyle where I'm in planes and trains and all over the world, and I grabbed something in the morning and went off for the day and I wasn't eating. And you forget that when you want to keep active, the priority for your body being strong and healthy is a combination of movement and what you put in your body.' She says supplements help get her nutritional balance right, and she also enjoys herbal drinks with ginger, lemon and mint. 'This year in particular I've definitely been more focused on looking at nutrition and trying to stop inflammation, because that's what I tend to get. I do think it's going to be an advantage to me to start thinking more about the health side of things, and holistically as well.' Holmes is keen to stress that no matter what your age, it's never too late to start looking after your body and getting fitter. 'I cannot tell you the amount of people that inspire me to keep going,' she says. 'Social media is a wonderful tool when it's used right, and I see 92-year-olds running fast 100 metres, or 60-year-old women doing 10 chin-ups. 'It's about people prioritising – looking at how they feel – are they energised? Are they lethargic? Are there things that can support that, like regular exercise, adequate sleep (I should listen to myself), doing things and entering something, and seeking support?' She adds: 'Our mind is stronger than we ever think it is, and we should give it credit and switch it to be on the positive side to get us through life. But equally, our body can do wonders – we just have to look after it a little bit more.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
The champion Sheffield couple who took up running in middle age
When Gordon Fiander took up running at the age of 60, it was to join his wife Jenni in a passion that had only begun when she herself was in middle the Sheffield couple are such keen runners that they are often the fastest finishers in the over-70s categories in the local events they are members of Valley Park Runners and have told the BBC that more retired people should follow in their footsteps and remain Fiander, 71, said: "I know people who basically retire and give up everything. They sit on the sofa and die within a couple of years. Older people ought to be still working hard. That's what bodies are designed for." The pair, who worked as lecturers at Sheffield College, were always keen on the outdoors, having met an an outward bound event in their Fiander loved caving, while his wife's hobbies were fencing and was when they moved to Grenoside that Mrs Fiander, then 48, discovered the joy of running."It was getting tricky to travel to orienteering events and we'd moved here to be near the woods, so I started to get out and run to destress from work - first in the day and then at night with a head torch," she joining Valley Park Runners, she placed first in races from over 50s to husband eventually came with her on short jogs before he started going to local Parkruns and got "hooked" on running."It's amazing, it's addictive when you start going, you meet this wonderful community."Jenni finds Parkrun too short but I love it. I'm faster than her at shorter distances, but on longer distances I can't keep up." The couple regularly compete in half-marathons and fell races, and encourage those around them to enjoy the club's women's captain, Jayne Grayson, called them "inspirational"."They are amazing. They never stop giving, time and effort. Nothing's too much, they are so enthusiastic and full of energy," she pair have had many injuries to recover from over the years, including a broken leg suffered on a ski trip for Mrs Fiander, and a sore back as a legacy of her husband's caving Fiander said: "We are not normal, our friends say that but we enjoy our retirement doing active things and making memories."Right from the outset of our marriage, we were determined to make it work. It's the same dogged determination that Jenni has powering up a hill. One foot in front of another we know we'll get there!" Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Woman secretly enters her husband in a marathon after he bragged he could run one with NO preparation - and what happened next will blow your mind
An American woman secretly entered her husband in a marathon with just a day's notice after he bragged he could finish the grueling event without any preparation. California resident Maisie Todd thought it would be 'funny' to sign up her 32-year-old husband Logan Goodspeed for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in San Diego after listening to him boast that he could run one without any training. Todd, who documented the whole event on TikTok, gave her husband just 24 hours notice. 'Being woken up at 6am on a Saturday [with the news] didn't feel good,' said Goodspeed, who says he hasn't participated in sport since high school. 'It was also exciting because I talk a big game, and it was time to put my money where my mouth was. 'Running is definitely not a passion. 'I did sports in high school but ever since I graduated, I haven't been very active.' The day before the race, the couple bought a pair of second-hand running shoes and stocked up on race snacks. Health experts warn against running a marathon with no training, citing the risk of rhabdomyolysis - a condition where muscles are injured so badly that the fibres start to break down, leading to muscle death. When this happens, toxic compounds enter the circulatory system and reach the organs. Around 26,000 people in the United States develop the condition every year, with approximately one in 20 of those dying. Goodspeed says he didn't take any notice of the naysayers, confident that he could get the job done. 'I started running and jogging and did that for about 10 miles and felt surprisingly good about it the whole time,' he said. 'I ran into a bunch of people that had seen me on TikTok the day before, and they cheered me on. @mizifbaby this entire day has felt like Christmas for me 🥰🎄 #marathontraining #marathon #rocknrollmarathon #surprisingmyhusband #husbandprank ♬ Rock beat metal - Degedias_Beats 'I knew I was going to finish so it just became a mind game of how I was going to get there.' Goodspeed eventually finished the race, half-walking and half-running, in a respectable five hours and 58 minutes. 'I felt a little bad about it because everyone else had trained for months and I was like 'please don't be mad at me,' he said. 'The goal was to get within seven and then I realised, I did the math about halfway through and realised I could break six if I wanted to. 'I didn't have too much emotion [at the finish line]. 'My knees hurt and I was focused on walking. 'It was always a fun hypothetical question to ask people and now it's been answered. 'You can finish a marathon with 24 hours' notice. 'The day after was not good, everything hurt. 'Stairs were a problem. 'I still just kept drinking plenty of fluids and stretching as much as I could.' Despite earning bragging rights at home, Goodspeed isn't interested in attempting another marathon. 'I think my running career started and ended on Sunday.'
