The Carnival of Running #9

Welcome to the 9th edition of The Carnival of Running!

Before we begin, let’s have one last Thanksgiving note. Runner Kym Klass has a list of things she’s thankful for.

Our video this week features the Fantasy of Lights 5k, a night-time race in Michigan.

Reuters ran a pretty good story on the popularity of second-tier marathons, and mentioned that the endurance sports market is $1.3 billion a year and growing.

As a sidebar Reuters added a list of 10 unusual marathons, but I’m not sure if they are the most unusual marathons. I wonder, for example, if there is a 26.2-mile equivalent of the Cinnamon Bun Fun Run a 10K in Ladysmith, British Columbia, in which you have to guess your finishing time beforehand in order to win the top prize.

The Insead 1.2k Dash in Singapore features Dutch milkmaids of a sort (is that you in the middle, Gorilla Ice?)

As long as we’re discussing international races, let’s go to the Cayman Islands Marathon (I wish). It will have unique mile markers designed and painted by high school art students.

The Great Ethiopian Run boasted a runner dressed as a condom, while the final event (21k) of the New Zealand North Island Triple Crown has defending champion Sjors Corporaal who is “a dyed in the wool cow-cocky” who runs “maybe once a week.”

On a more serious note, the Mumbai Marathon is pressing ahead with plans to hold the race in January, despite the recent terrorist attack.

We have multiple stories from the Beirut Marathon, which, among other things, sought to raise awareness of the “hazards of cluster munitions.” That isn’t something you normally worry about at your local race.

A media outlet in Iraq sponsored some runners in the race, and we do have a more light-hearted race report of the associated 10k.

Back at home, next year the Las Vegas Marathon turns into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon as big city races become big business.

We have tips galore this week. The Abilene Reporter News suggests that “working out in a group could make you more successful.” I’m giving this advice a try myself next month.

The Lansing State Journal reports that winter is the best time to run with a partner, but “always choose a partner who is slower than you. Then you can be the one who imposes the torture.”

Run to Win tells us how an injury can lead to a big PR, but only if you do the smart thing.

SpeedEndurance.com takes on the stretching/no-stretching controversy and describes what happens when you throw a bucket of water on a sleeping cat. I would not recommend trying it at home.

Gobs Channel say the best way to run is to “exhale on your left foot”. When I do that I end up with gobs on my left sock, but not to worry, because socks are the perfect stocking-stuffer for runners. Although putting socks in stockings is like giving wrapping paper as a gift.

Kara at Between the Miles has an important list of what not to wear at a race, while Running Off at the Mind spent some time on the “Motorized Rubber Band of Doom.”

Half-Fast visited the doctor, but is upset that he didn’t get to pee in a cup. If you think that’s bad, imagine what he does when he visits the dentist.

The San Jose Mercury News examines evidence of human beings reaching their maximum speed. I reached mine a long time ago, but if you haven’t, maybe you need a rack on which to hang running medals, like the one Chic Runner saw.

If your best running days are past, don’t despair. You can use the shortcut to age-group trophies by breaking into the race organizer’s van and stealing them, along with 1,000 plastic drinking cups. Did you really need a cup that badly, Half-Fast?

That’s all for this time, friends. Submit your posts to carnival@runningisfunny.com. Happy Birthday to me! Now run away!