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Roger tells me that a large group went
with him a few years ago. Well I
was not disappointed by the place or the event. The weather was lovely at 21c+ - great
for sitting in pavement bars and cafes but a little hot for marathon running as
there was no breeze. The entry continues to expand every year with 1700+
finishers in the marathon, 270 in in-line skating and 600+ in the mini-marathon.
The organisers have a particular focus on athletes with disabilities and
there was a good number of the hand cranked wheelchair type which I don’t
think we see in the London Marathon. The course started from a sports field
a mile from the centre but did go through the old town for a few kilometres
before going out to the suburbs and returning along the towpath of the River
Vistula. Well organised, very flat,
roads blocked off, good water stations, but support a bit thin.
A good finish area with benches and tables for competitors to have their
free beer and soup at. Cost wise it could be a bargain for
the more mature runner as it’s free for anyone over 60 and you can sleep in
the sports hall next to the start. We got an Easyjet flight from Gatwick for £55 each, used the
bus from the airport and returned using the train.
Hotel was 74 euros for a double at Hotel Alef in the Jewish quarter.
Apparently this was where Stephen Spielberg stayed when he was filming
Schindler’s List. We enjoyed 2
days just strolling around the place and did it all on foot.
Plenty to see but you can get churched out if you go for all 140 of them.
We didn’t bother going to Auschwitz
but a lot of people do – it can leave you a bit flat I’m told. Overall I would give the race and the place a strong recommendation. |