St Helena Festival of Running

§staticmap(11226,2,450,250)On June 24th, you’ll be organizing the St Helena Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located? St Helena remains one of the world’s most remote inhabited islands situated 1,200 miles off the west coast of Africa and is currently only accessible by sea. The most regular means to reach the Island is on board the RMS St Helena – a five-day voyage from Cape Town. This is remote running at its best! How old is the race and why was it created in the first place? The marathon first took place in 2000. It formed the centre point of the brand new Festival of Running, which was set up to encourage both local people to enjoy running and jogging to improve their fitness and also to extend the attractions and activities on St Helena to a different type of visitor. The Festival of Running was originally held every other year, but the island is now trying to make it an annual event. St Helena Tourism What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? It’s a fairly challenging route. The course is hilly, but rewarding views along the way will help the mileage tick by. The route takes runners past some of the island’s key attractions, including High Knoll Fort, Diana’s Peak (the highest point on the island) and Plantation House, residence of the island’s Governor. How many runners do you expect on Sunday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract? Being an island with just 4,000 residents, the number of entries is never going to rival London or New York! Usually there are around half a dozen serious runners who want to take on the marathon or the half-marathon. The two distances are run in tandem for organisational practicalities. There is a very friendly atmosphere, and the run is well supported even if there are just a few runners. St Helena Tourism Do you organize other races during the Week? If so, on what distances? The marathon is part of the wider weeklong Festival of Running which takes place from 22-30 June. As well as the 42.2km course, runners can sign up for 10km or 3km races so there’s something to suit all fitness levels. In addition to these, there’s also the Diana’s Peak Ascent – a completely uphill run ending up at the highest point on St Helena – and the infamous Jacob’s Ladder Challenge. Jacob’s Ladder is a 699-step climb out of the capital, Jamestown. The challenge is a run up the Ladder against the clock and it’s not for the faint hearted! At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? The weather is similar all year round on St Helena and for much of the year temperatures are between 20-27°C (70-80°F). Have you planned festivities around the marathon? The running activities during the week are interspersed with walks and other events. There is always an awards evening at the end of the Festival, built around a social event. There are also more tourist-focussed activities including dolphin watching and charity events to help raise money for local causes. The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to St Helena before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? It’s a small island, just 47-sq miles, but there’s an astonishing amount to do once the running action is over. Napoleon is the reason many people have heard of St Helena so any first time visitors should make time to visit Longwood House – his main residence whilst exiled on the island. St Helena is also a walkers paradise, so if your legs aren’t too weary, there are some incredible coastal walks to enjoy. Runners can also re-fuel with some fresh fish and chips, or sit back and relax with a mug of St Helena’s much sought after coffee and embrace the island’s beautifully laid-back pace. St Helena Tourism In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the St Helena Marathon? One of the most remote marathon’s in the world – this event is very much about the destination not just running the distance and it’s an event that still has the ‘exclusivity’ factor with very few people laying claim to having compete in it. Interview with Mike Dean, Tourism Development Executive, St Helena. Originally from the UK, Mike Dean has lived on St Helena for almost 18 months driving forward the tourism development on the Island. He is a keen runner and an active participant in local life and events. He tells us all about the forthcoming St Helena Marathon, part of the Festival of Running….

Running 42.2km is a feat unto itself but sometimes it is about the destination, not just the journey, so why not put a whole new twist on marathon running and sign up for the exotic St Helena Marathon? Applicants are now open for runners to participate in what must surely lay claim to be one of the most remote marathons in the world, taking place on Sunday 24th June 2012. This challenging far-flung event involves a route that winds past some of the island’s key attractions, including High Knoll Fort, Diana’s Peak (the highest point on the island) and Plantation House, residence of the island’s Governor. The course is hilly, but rewarding views along the way help runners pass the time and the mileage. To glimpse flora and fauna you can’t see anywhere else in the world, sign up for the 2012 marathon. As well as the 42.2km course, runners can opt to participate in a half marathon, 10km or 3km races as part of a wider week-long Festival of Running. One of the festival highlights is the famed Jacob’s Ladder Challenge – a 699-step climb out of the capital, Jamestown, which sees brave participants emerge 200-metres higher. There is a £2 entry fee for runners with proceeds going to the National Amateur Sports Association of St Helena (NASAS). Successful runners receive medals and certificates, with special prizes for outstanding achievements awarded by the island’s Governor. Until the island’s first airport arrives in 2015, international runners travel to the South Atlantic island aboard one of the last working Royal Mail Ships (RMS St Helena) which can accommodate 128-passengers, ensuring that this marathon remains an exclusive event. The five-day voyage from Cape Town gives runners the perfect opportunity to rest their legs pre and post race. A handful of entrants usually descend from different parts of the world and in recent years this has included the UK, Canada, USA, Germany and South Africa. Book with 2:09 events who is offering a 23-day package (including the marathon) from £3,199 per person. Valid for travel 15 June – 7 July 2012, the price includes return flights to Cape Town with Virgin Atlantic, two nights in Cape Town, 10 days on the RMS St Helena (including all meals on board) in a shared cabin and accommodation in St Helena. http://www.209events.com/event.php?event=251# For more information and a full programme visit www.sthelenatourism.com