Fun Running Stories

Those of you who have visited our Website since we began in 2004 have maybe seen one of my favorite phrases: “Intensity Meets Playfulness.” With that thought in mind, the whimsical stories you are about to read offer a close look at some of the odd and unusual occurrences in the sport of running.

From using canine pacemakers to the importance of avoiding wild turkeys, we hope you will find a good chuckle and something fun to think about the next time you are in the mood for a little fresh air…
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All the Preparation… For Just One Gulp of Water

A veteran runner volunteers to help man a water station on the route of a marathon—and gets a surprising lesson in just how much hard work goes into handing out that humble paper cup of thirst-quenching liquid.

Trailrunners, Beware the Beak!

Trailrunners, Beware the Beak! Trailrunners love to exercise by running through woods and ravines, wanting to get close to nature. Well, beware! This article is a public service announcement to warn you of the dangers lurking in those woods!

A Race With and Without Pudding

If you think of London and running, Hyde Park and Regent’s Park come to mind, the green hills of Hampstead Heath to the north and to the south-west, where the counties of Surrey and Middlesex meet, Richmond and Bushey Park.

Home Improvement

When I walked into the bedroom, I noticed a crack in the wall. "Oh no!" I thought in alarm, "The house is collapsing from the weight of all those race T-shirts!" I always knew this day would come.

Running with Dogs—Man and Animal in Partnership

Patrick Kiernan, a doctor in London and masters runner of high standard, has two types of training partner: the team-mates from his club, Heathside, who run over the hilly landscape of Hampstead Heath in north London, and his two dogs, Moffy and Jimmy.

Running Barefoot in Berlin Marathon?

Since the origin of the Marathon in the late 1800’s, there have always been a small number of “competitors” who have attempted to tarnish the sanctity of the world’s greatest sport by gaining status or even prizes by cheating.

The Day a Goods Train Brought the Boston Marathon to a Halt

The 108th Boston Marathon will get underway on April 19th. Just as it was in 1897, the finish of the point-to-point course is in central Boston. Over all these years the course has had few changes.

Tracey Morris—How a Fun Runner Qualified for the British Olympic Team

It was probably the biggest surprise of all the spring marathons this season. In last Sunday’s London Marathon an athlete finished tenth who had trained like a fun runner just four months earlier.

Fauja Singh—At the Age of 93 the World Record Holder in the Marathon Still Has Ambitions

The world of long distance running has many great stories to raise the spirits, but the career of Fauja Singh is unique. Born into a farming family in India, he came to Britain eleven years ago and started running aged 89!

At Least 9,150 Runners Overtaken During the Berlin Marathon

A performance which could well qualify for the Guinness Book of Records was achieved by Terefe Yae and Shimeles Molla during the Berlin Marathon on 26th September.