all over the world. In general, residents of Hong Kong, who speak a different dialect, Cantonese, tend to look down on mainland Chinese as inferior. People we spoke with were surprised that we had survived such an intense itinerary in such remote places. I had to admit it was nice getting back to hot showers, comfortable beds, and Western toilets. I had my fill of squatters—toilets that are basically a hole in the ground with no toilet paper provided.

Running in Kowloon was like being back home. Every morning the esplanade off Salisbury Road along Kowloon harbor was filled with joggers. The heat can be intense so everyone runs in the morning before it gets too steamy. The second morning I ventured over to Hong Kong Island via the Star Ferry and took the Peak Tram to Victoria Peak, the quintessentially colonial area where the upperclass expats live in expensive homes. It was such a proper British outpost that Chinese were not allowed to live there until recently. At the top of the peak is an outstanding view of Victoria Harbor looking back toward Kowloon and the Mainland. Two roads form a circuit where I could run for an hour while taking in the vistas. Feeling like a well-seasoned traveler, I took the subway back to Kowloon and ran along the esplanade back to the hotel.

After two weeks of traveling throughout China, we were homeward bound. I was thrilled to have seen so much of China and in a way that let us blend with the locals. Beginning with a bit of fear and trepidation about running in China, I left feeling that I had seen more of China for being a runner.

SUMMARY

It has been five years since I first visited China. During a recent visit home, Elijah spoke about China’s endeavors to become a world leader and the rapid pace of development. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, where I took my pristine run through Shangri-La, is being considered as a condominium site. Souvenir kiosks are sprouting up all over Beijing in anticipation of the 2008 Olympics. Even Kunming, where Elijah lived for four years without seeing many foreigners, is now a tourist destination as nearby Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest gorges, and most beautiful, is endangered by the development of a new dam. Chinese women are having plastic surgery to look more Western, and obesity is becoming a problem for Chinese youth who want to eat at McDonald’s.

The message was clear. If you want to see China as it was for centuries, see it now before the government destroys all the treasures in the name of progress.

It’s time to pack the running shoes again and have Eli take me to a remote outpost like Lugu Lake, a mountaintop vista on the border of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, accessible only by an eight-hour bus ride on a narrow, precipitous mountain pass where we will once again discover that sense of stillness and tranquility that sets things in order in the universe. i

The Name of the Game Is Purely in the Name.

s a marathon connoisseur, I have searched the country for the best-named marathons to add a little spice to your next 26-mile sojourn into pain. Please note that although I have run more than 70 marathons myself, I have never been crazy enough to run any of these races. These events tend to conjure images of tough terrain, gritty conditions, and farm animals—all of which have not enticed me to send in an entry form. This has not stopped me from speculating about how these races earned their appellations. Please note that any resemblance to the actual races is purely coincidental.

#15 Death Valley Marathon in Death Valley, California

Thave heard of high-altitude training, but how do you do low-altitude training? I wonder if they hand out brown bags at the aid stations in case someone starts hyperventilating from too much oxygen. Any marathon with the word “death” in its title deserves to be in the top 15.

#14 Lost Dutchman Marathon in Apache Junction, Arizona

Better than “death” is to have the word “lost” in the name. Maybe this is the marathon version of “Where’s Waldo?” If you are the first runner to find a lost soul in wooden shoes who speaks Dutch, you receive bonus points at the awards ceremony. Since this race is in Arizona, I guess the Dutchman really is lost.

#13 Hogeye Marathon in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Ihave heard of a bull’s-eye, but what is a hog’s eye? Is this a pig in a poke? When you send in your entry form, do you really get to run a marathon? You don’t think they trick you into doing an ultra? Well, there were only 65 finishers in 2006, and Ihave a feeling that half of the finishers were in the 50-States club.

#12 Idaho Great Potato Marathon in Boise, Idaho This is not your average potato marathon. I think Dan Quayle is the honorary race director. (Is it potato or potatoe? I can never remember.) Let’s just say that

they may not give you a traditional pasta dinner. It’s like my grandpa always said, “The race is a dud if they don’t offer you a spud.”

#11 Whiskey Row Marathon in Prescott, Arizona

This gives a whole new meaning to the words “aid station.” Be sure to pace yourself or you may end up dehydrated with liver damage. If there appear to be random directions in faded chalk on the pavement and guys in red dresses yelling “On, on,” don’t expect to finish before Tuesday.

#10 Avenue of the Giants Marathon in Eureka, California

Some races have age limits or time limits, but this race has a height limit—only men 6 feet, 5 inches or taller and women 6 feet or taller are allowed to enter. This brings up the issue of Boston qualifying times. Why are these times based only on age and sex? Of course, those Kenyans have no problem qualifying. Some of them are 5 feet tall and weigh 110 pounds. I think we should have qualifying times based on body mass index (BMI) and personal characteristics. If you are an unmotivated fat boy like me, a five-hour marathon should be sufficient.

#9 Mount Desert Island Marathon in Bar Harbor, Maine

How do you dress for this geographical oddity? Is it a mountain? (Bring hiking shoes and a billy goat?) A desert? (A French Foreign Legion hat and a camel?) An island? (A hula skirt and a guy named Gilligan?) A harbor? (Deck shoes and a guy named Skipper?) Or even a bar? (Proof of age and a frat boy?) This is one where I would definitely look at the race photos before making my airplane reservations.

#8 Eriesistable Marathon in Erie, Pennsylvania

This race is in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Lake Erie. Isn’t that eerie? Although it may be a little Eriesponsible to advertise any 26-mile adventure as inviting, any race with a cute pun deserves to be in the top 15. However, some people may find this particular pun a little Erietating.

#7 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon in Chickamauga, Georgia

The ghosts of old dead Confederate soldiers may haunt you in this race. I like any race with the word “battlefield” in it. Marathons are a lot like war—the blood, the guts, the glory. Not to mention that the marathon distance always produces some casualties, and a few runners are always declared “missing in action” by the race director.

#6 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati, Ohio If your friends say, “I’ll run a marathon when pigs fly,” then send them to Cincinnati, Ohio. I’ve heard that this marathon is windy and has lots of pigs. Maybe

they should team up with the race directors of the Hogeye Marathon and have a pig-marathon circuit.

#5 Bendistillery It Goes Down Easy Marathon, in Bend, Oregon

I don’t think this marathon is held anymore, but it still deserves to be in the top 15. I think the local microbrewery was the race sponsor for this event. Just be sure to drink the free samples after the race or the It Goes Down Easy Marathon may become the It Comes Up Easy Marathon.

#4 Humpy’s Classic Marathon in Anchorage, Alaska

Ihave heard of runners hitting The Wall but never falling off The Wall. If you bonk in this race, you had better hope that they can put you back together again. Actually, you know you need to change HMOs when they let all the king’s horses and all the king’s men into the operating room.

Joseph Seeley