Editorial

WAY DOWN UNDER

Well, there goes the neighborhood.

For decades we’ve rhapsodized about how running is the most elemental but varied of all sports. On the basic level, it is basically putting one foot in front of the other, a mode of transportation, pursuit, escape, accomplishment, and amusement that goes back to the origin of bipedal locomotion. Yet it is wonderfully varied: from 50yard sprints to six-day races and beyond to transcontinental adventures.

It can be done virtually anywhere at any time. We arrive in a new city and the first thing we do is change into our running clothes and cruise the neighborhood at eight minutes per mile to scope out the local action, to pinpoint where we’ ll go to dinner later, to unearth little parks and unpopulated trails we can later run, and so on.

There has even been running on the moon, where astronauts—buoyed by the one-sixth gravity—attempted to run but looked as though they were skipping across the dusty surface of our nearest celestial neighbor, cavorting inapleasure as basic as breathing.

But in the back of some of our minds, we were not especially disappointed that there were still a few spots on earth that had not yet been desecrated by the ubiquitous waffle sole.

One of those places was the South Pole.

Oh, there had been marathons run on Antarctica, but those had not actually been on the antarctic mainland, and they had certainly not been at the geographic South Pole.

The South Pole, that place where as kids squirming through geography class we pictured a big ole pole sticking out of the bottom of the globe like an “outie” belly button. It had remained unbreached, virginal as the blue ice that has thereabouts grown several miles thick over the eons.

Well, it’s virginal no more.

It has been breached, ravaged, desecrated by a band of doughty aerobic astronauts who put their own unique brand onto the Big Chilly by running not only a half-marathon but a marathon and even an ultra to the geographic South Pole.

Fortunately for nature, the South Pole didn’t make it easy on them.

They had to call to the fore all the delayed gratification for which marathoners are well known as they waited out the extremely fickle weather for which the polar regions are famed.

They had to negotiate with each other on how they would ultimately “run” the race to the Pole—and then contend with breaches in the oral contract when the start finally arrived.

EDITORIAL @ 9

Although certainly not as horrific as Ernest Shackleton’s failed efforts to reach the South Pole by ship and dogsled in the early years of the 20th century, the trip of our hardy adventurers was nonetheless filled with trials and tribulations—and, to me at least, surprises, such as the fact that when they reached the South Pole they encountered a little store where they could buy souvenirs. Shackleton is probably spinning in his grave over that.

We’re proud and pleased to bring our readers the adventures and mis

adventures of our two most foreign— and now famous—correspondents, Brent Weigner and Don Kern.

We also apologize for the frustration their tales bring with them to our adventuresome readers in realizing that there is literally no spot left on earth that hasn’t been imprinted by the wandering feet of runners.

Ah, well. At least, as runners, we’re familiar with and comfortable with the word “repeats.” Who’s next for the southern navel?

—Rich Benyo

A World of Marathons

2003 Antarctica Marathon / March 3rd

Half-Marathon also held

Running’s Greatest Adventure!

Come face-to-face with whales, seals and penguins!

The only chance to run a marathon on the 7th continent!

NEW EVENT: Ist Antarctica Kayaking Championship in Niko Harbour

2002 Beijing Marathon / October 13th Visit the site of the 2008 Olympics. This half and 10K Marathon starts in Tiananmen Square under the famous picture of Mao. Visit the Great Wall, Forbidden City, Ming Tombs, Summer Palace, Xian, Shanghai and more.

Act now for Maui Marathon Specials. Race is strictly limited to 3,200 runners.

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10 HM MARATHON & BEYOND

MayHune 2002