fisky wrote:
I read an article by a guy who did this. It sounded awful. Basically, you fly to some potentially beautiful places, get bussed from the airport to the marathon start, run the marathon, get on the bus and go back to the plane. .
^This^. If you want to do this it's for the challenge, not the scenery. I've travelled the world to compete (not T&F, but another Olympic sport), and it's rather sad in retrospect to realise all the places I've been, and how little I've gotten to see. Aeroplanes, airports, buses, hotels, competition venues. They all seem the same after a while. I fly 12 hours away and it doesn't feel that exciting anymore. When you travel to compete, you must spend most the pre-competition time doing last minute preparations and resting... and when you are finished you are exhausted, and either need to pack for the next city, or home. Staying will cost you both $$$ and training time in most circumstances.
So, in summary. I think when you travel afar to compete, it's both a wonderful opportunity and a slight tragedy that you don't get to fully experience the places you go. This challange just amplifies these experiences. That being said, I'd do it if given the chance.