Get your running shoes out and hit the road!

Bay to Breakers
Where: San Francisco, CA, USA
When: Third Sunday in May
Getting Involved: The race is open to all; register online.

From the flowers and patchouli of the Summer of Love to Alcatraz and the red towers of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco deserves its place among the most famous cities in the world. This is a place that knows how to throw a party, and the enormous Bay to Breakers race is no exception - half sporting event, half all-out costume-filled street extravaganza.

Since its inaugural year way back in 1912 (when the race was still called the Cross City Race), the Bay to Breakers has grown to become one of the biggest races of its kind in the world. The competition even holds the Guinness World record for the largest running race, with more than 110,000 participants, set in 1986.

The course is 12km long and runs from the Embarcadero all the way down to the Golden Gate Park. Participants include professional athletes, enthusiastic amateurs, those running for charity and some who simply want to be a part of the spectacle. People dress up as animals, rock stars, storm troopers and robots, while many - in the spirit of San Francisco - choose to wear nothing at all.

The city stops for the day as more than 100,000 people line the streets to cheer on the runners, marvel at the extravagant fl oats and chuckle at the elaborately costumed competitors as they stumble by. The diverse colours, traditions and cultures of this great city come together in a family-friendly carnival atmosphere that is quintessentially San Fran.

More Information: Bay to Breakers, www.ingbaytobreakers.com

Boston Marathon
Where: Boston, USA
When: Third Monday in April
Getting Involved: Entrants must be 18 years of age or older and run a qualifying time at a certified marathon - the qualifying times are determined by your age on the date of the Boston Marathon.

Harvard, the Red Sox, the Pixies and the Boston Marathon... As famous as the city itself, the Boston Marathon began in 1897, just one year after the first modern Olympic Marathon in Athens. The first annual event of its kind in the world, it is now part of the 'Big 5' on the marathon circuit - London, Berlin, New York and Chicago - and attracts upwards of 20,000 professional and amateur runners from all across the globe.

The whole city of Boston stops on the third Monday of April. And they kind of have to - approximately half a million eager spectators line the streets on the Patriots' Day holiday to pass drinks and snacks to the high profile athletes and earnest amateurs as they sweat it out over the 26-mile course. Originally an amateur event, with only a wreath awarded to the winner, the prize money now totals around $800,000.

The Boston Marathon holds the world record for the largest marathon in history, with 38,708 entrants in 1996 - its centenary year. As far as onsite media coverage goes, it is second only to the Super Bowl as the largest singleday sporting event in the world, with more than 1000 media members scrambling for the best photos and stories of the day.

There is also a vast array of cultural activities available in this university city. Whether it's the drama of a Red Sox game, a trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Art or a grungy gig in nearby Cambridge, you won't be disappointed.

More Information: Boston Athletic Association, www.bostonmarathon.org

Corsa Dei Ceri (Candles Race)
Where: Gubbio, Italy
When: 15 May
Getting Involved: Limber up, and run alongside the ceri.

Contested since the 12th century, the Corsa dei Ceri is a strongman contest of mammoth proportions. The entire town comes out to watch and to run with three teams who race through the city's streets forming a human river. The race is about 4.3km long and the course runs up the steep slopes of Monte Ingino, wending its way past gothic buildings to the Basilica of St Ubaldo. Each team carries a so-called 'candle' (ceri), which is actually a 4m-long wooden pillar bearing a statue of one of three 'rival' saints (Sts Ubaldo, George and Anthony) and weighing around 400kg. The challenge for the ceraiole (candle holders) is to keep the candle upright, without toppling over. It's a test of strength and skill, acquired through years of practice.

The race begins at 6pm with a blessing by the bishop, and after a sprint around the city, begins the climb to the basilica. Located about 300m above the city, the basilica houses the body of St Ubaldo. The race is a colourful affair, with each of the ceraiole wearing the colours of the saint they carry: yellow for St Ubaldo, blue for St George and black for St Anthony. The whole shebang is accompanied by traditional folk music that is played in procession or in small groups while drinking, celebrating and running.

This centuries-old race is run to commemorate the city's patron saint, St Ubaldo, so if you're expecting a fair race, you may wonder how it is the yellow team - running for St Ubaldo - reaches the basilica first, year after year after year. If you're not running with the ceri, and are visiting Gubbio on any other day of the year, don't despair, the open-air funicular ride to the top is almost as exhilarating.

More Information: The Festival of the Ceri, www.ceri.it

Empire State Building Run-Up
Where: New York City, USA
When: First week in February
Getting Involved: Ballot application available online.

So, you're in New York and the day's itinerary includes visiting the iconic art-deco Empire State Building. You already know that New York's highest building, with 102 floors, is such a popular attraction that the entry queues are 'as legendary as the building itself'. But there are two ways to beat the queues. One: pay an extra fee and skip to the front. Two: come in February and run up the stairs.

The Empire State Building Run-Up is a foot race that ascends the stairwells to the 86th floor observation deck. Held annually since 1978, each year more than 100 'lucky' runners (also called climbers) are selected from piles of applications to participate in this calfburning race up a total of 1576 steps. Part of a growing worldwide circuit of organised runs up the staircases of buildings, competitors in the Empire State Building Run-Up come from the winners of events in Sydney, Moscow, Vienna, Detroit, Toronto and Munich.

There is a mass start in two waves - ladies first. Five minutes later, off the men go. The record time is nine minutes and 33 seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclist Paul Crake in 2003.

It's a high price to pay for a unique entry to the Empire State. If the souvenir T-shirt, post-run refreshments in a plastic cup and 360-degree views from the fi nishing line aren't enough, maybe the all-expenses-paid ride down to the bottom in one of the building's elevators will make it all worthwhile.

More Information: Empire State Building, www.esbnyc.com

Henley-On-Todd Regatta
Where: Alice Springs, Australia
When: Last Saturday in August
Getting Involved: Turn up on the day with your boat or register online.

The desert town of Alice Springs has hosted an annual regatta since 1962, despite the absence of any substantial body of water. Alice's Todd River runs with water every 20 or so years; in the meantime, they make do with bottomless 'boats' crewed by barefoot racers (a la the Flintstones). Crews run along the sandy riverbed with their lightweight vessels hauled up around their waists. The boats come in all 'classes', each with their own dedicated event. There are events for yachts, rowboats and bathtubs - in which four crew carry a lady in a bath to a marker where they bucket in water before heading back to the finishing line.

Other events on the program include sand-skiing, which involves four people strapped to waterskis attempting to 'walk' through the sand; sand-shovelling, the first to fill a 44-gallon drum; and the surf rescue where one team member 'paddles' a trolley along rails (using a shovel) to a waiting 'damsel in distress' who is bundled aboard and 'paddled' back to the finishing line.

One of the most famous fixtures in Australia's Northern Territory, the Henley-on-Todd began, like many Australian traditions, as a piss-take, in this case, an ironic take on the very English Henley-on-Thames tradition. In its 50-odd-year history, the Henley-on-Todd has only ever been cancelled once, in 1993, when there was too much water in the river. The regatta is run on a volunteer basis, with all money raised donated to humanitarian projects.

While the Henley-on-Todd is well worth travelling for, there are plenty more attractions to draw you to Australia's 'red centre', particularly the iconic rock formations of deep signifi cance to the local Anangu - Uluru and Kata Tjuta.

More Information: Henley-on-Todd Regatta, www.henleyontodd.com.au

Marathon Des Sables
Where: Morocco
When: End of March to beginning of April
Getting Involved: Allow six months of training prior to the event, plus be prepared for the hefty entry fee.

For those who consider running the sorts of distances most people would only drive a 'walk in the park', this one's for you. The Marathon des Sables (Marathon of Sands) may not be the longest, at a not-so-modest 243km, but make those kms across the Sahara, and you've got what's widely considered to be the world's toughest footrace.

Run over six days, the trail crosses uneven rocky terrain, between dunes and over seas of soft sand (think of your calf muscles after a short jog on the beach). Desert temperatures are extreme. Competitors are advised to wear shoes two sizes bigger than normal and wider at the toe to allow for swelling from the heat.

Temperatures can go from 48 degrees during the day to 4 degrees at night. Any anti-chafing creams quickly collect sand, which equates to having sandpaper between your legs, and thorny trail-side plants will stab anyone who passes too close.

Added to this is the fact that competitors must carry everything on their person: that's enough freeze-dried food and energy bars for the journey, a sleeping bag, enough water for quenching thirst between checkpoints and a credit card. Yes, a credit card, for those satellite phonecalls home, and emails (over the six days of the event, the organisers receive around 40,000 messages to pass on to competitors). At the end of each race stage, which includes a nonstop 82km section that has most competitors running after nightfall, there's a Berber-tent camp (provided by the organisers). Competitors sleep eight to a tent on a carpeted floor.

Sound insane? What's more insane is that it's been operating for more than 25 years, and more than 800 people from 30 different countries sign up for it. As with all endurance races, runners are battling themselves as much as the other 800-odd entrants. Along with the obvious stress on the body, the mental stress is intense. Competitors must overcome pain and the internal chatter that says, 'You're not cut out for this, c'mon, let's pull over here'.

Still keen? Some final words from the organisers: 'If you have never run, or if you are not used to training at least three times a week for several months, it would not be reasonable to consider entering the Marathon des Sables.

More Information: Marathon de Sables, www.darbaroud.com

Polar Circle Marathon
Where: Kangerlussuaq, Greenland
When: October
Getting Involved: Sign up for The Polar Circle Marathon through the agent in your country.

In a country where -5 degrees celsius temperatures are described as 'beautiful, not too cold', running over 40km in the snowy wilderness must be a walk in the park. Of course running through Greenland's soundless Arctic desert affords the opportunity to run into musk oxen and reindeer, too. All competitors who complete the course within seven hours receive a medal. Those wishing to drop out should take themselves to the nearest drinks station (every 5km) where they can wait in a sleeping bag for a ride back to town.

More Information: Polar Circle Marathon, www.polar-circle-marathon.com

Worldwide Festival of Races
Where: Wherever in the world you are
When: Changes, but usually late October
Getting Involved: Register online.

The Festival of Races is a running event that brings participants together virtually, from around the world. Unfortunately, you can't virtually run, and are required to actually physically exert yourself.

Entrants can run 5km or 10km and do so in the knowledge that they have thousands of other virtual companions all running at the same time. Or nearly the same time, allowing for time differences. And everyone's a winner, as every person who runs, partners up with a buddy, and uses the online training schedule is fitter than they were before they started.

It's loosely organised - participants can run at an event that's officially sanctioned in their home town or just make up a course that suits them. Making up your own course means it's just you and your mate running and probably along the same training course you've been running for months. It may lack the cheering multitudes you imagined, as you break the finishing ribbon, sweating and exhausted but victorious; however, it's likely to be more conveniently located to home.

It costs nothing to enter the Festival of Races, which is open to all and is noncommercial. To validate your run, organisers ask that you simply register, run, then report your time. The more competitive participants can then check back into the website after the event and see how they placed. Of course, partnering up, as is recommended by organisers, also gives you someone 'real' to compete against each time you train together and provides the external motivation sometimes necessary to get off the couch.

More Information: World Wide Festival of Races, www.worldwidefestivalofraces.com

Wife-Carrying Championships
Where: Sonkajarvi, Finland
When: First Saturday in July
Getting Involved: The competition is open to all for a nominal entrance fee.

What do the people of Finland, Dennis Rodman and the Guinness Book of World Records have in common? The World Wife-Carrying Championships.

Though the sport is relatively new to Sonkajärvi, it shares close links with the folklore and history of the area. Back during the late 19th century there was a brigand called Rosvo-Ronkainen, who demanded that his fighters prove themselves on a difficult obstacle course. It is on this basis, combined with a love of exercise and laughter that the race has become so cherished. The event celebrated its 18th year in 2009, with 15 of those as World Championship events. The locals are proud and with more than 44 couples registered for most competitions, and chapters popping up in Australia and North America, it's easy to see why.

The course for the wife-carrying championships is not an easy one and, according to the tips provided by the organiser, it is important to gain a mutual rhythm with your wife (be it your wife or someone else's - both are permitted). There are a number of customary positions: 'the piggyback', 'over the shoulder' or 'crosswise', but it is a freestyle event so anything goes.

Competitors must complete the 253m course made up of sand, grass and asphalt, which includes two dry obstacles and one of water about 1m deep. People participate for very different reasons and all are welcomed. It's made for having fun and reconnecting with your partner, so why not sign up and start training.

More Information: Sonkajarvi, www.sonkajarvi.fi

World Race Walking Cup
Where: Location changes each world cup
When: Biennially, around mid-May
Getting Involved: Easy; check the website for event details.

It seems a contradiction in terms: 'race' and 'walking' - walking generally being something you deliberately do slowly. But, as you would know, race walking looks very different from your average amble. Paul Connolly, author of World's Weirdest Sports, describes it as 'cartoonishly camp...the hips sway, the shoulders sashay, the arms pump and the legs make countless little steps'. That's apparently what happens when you defy every urge in your body to break into a run, while moving forwards as quickly as possible, all the while keeping one foot in contact with the ground.

Competition events are over distances of 20km for women, and 20km and 50km for men. Usually street races, the course treads a route through the host city. Planted among the curbside spectators are judges who look to see that athletes retain some contact with the tar at all times. If both a competitor's feet should leave the ground at the very moment they happen to pass a judge, then a warning is issued. It's a case of three strikes and you're out, though the athlete isn't aware of the number of warnings issued against them until the race's end.

Inspired by English footmen, who alternated between running and walking alongside their masters' coaches, walking competitions began around 1780 as endurance races, over six days. In 1908, walking was included in the Olympics, with two events: 3500m and 10 miles. Event distances differed between competitions, seesawing between one and two events of varying distance, until walking was altogether scrapped from the 1928 Games due to the inconsistent manner in which judges 'caught' walkers with both feet off the ground. There are two rules of race walking. The first stipulates that '...no visible (to the human eye) loss of contact occur' with the ground. The second rule requires that the lead leg is straight (no bent knees). Both are judged by sight, without the aid of videostop footage. And judges were not watching every athlete every minute of every race. It's possible then that indiscretions by athletes wouldn't be detected by the judges, or that the judging method could at least be criticised for being less than thorough.

Olympic walking was reintroduced in 1932, and World Cup event distances mirror those of the Olympics: 20km and 50km. The first World Cup was held in 1961, with women first entering the competition in 1979.

More Information: International Association of Athletics Federations, www.iaaf.org

This is an edited extract from A YEAR OF SPORT TRAVEL. Lonely Planet Publications, 2009. AUD\.95.

For more information on Lonely Planet, visit the Lonely Planet website.

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