Take A Running Vacation

Over the last several years, "adventure travel" has become really popular. Runners typically make vacation time an opportunity to break out of the running rut, enjoy a change of scenery and engage with challenging new courses. For us, "vacation" doesn't necessarily mean "rest," but what about a vacation that combines both?  

For the past several years, Cruise To Run has been offering cruise vacations that combine relaxing cruises to sunny mediterranean destinations with course runs in such spots as Barbados, Santa Lucia and San Martaan.  Have I got your attention?

It seems that three years ago, while out for a blustery winter run at his home in Ontario, Jerry Friesen,  fantasized about running some place warm. His wife tried persuading him to go on a cruise, but Friesen, a marathoner who’s organized more than 100 races, objected. “I didn’t know how I was going to run while on a ship,” he says. That sparked an idea for a cruise specifically for runners.,

Friesen took 150 passengers on his Cruise to Run inaugural trip in 2007; a seven-day Caribbean vacation aboard the Crown Princess featured a daily fun run or race on Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, and St. Thomas. The runs were "professionally organized" (complete with road closures, bib numbers, chip timing, and finishers’ medals) and were between 5-K and eight miles. After each event participants snorkeled, biked, hiked, or relaxed on the beach. “Seeing this idea come together and watching everybody have a good time was one of the most gratifying things I’ve done,” says Friesen.

Cruise To Run 2010 will leave San Juan Puerto Rico on the Caribbean Princess and visit St. Thomas, Tortola , Antigua, St. Lucia and
Barbados. There's something for everyone, including a 5k race, prediction run, group runs, hash run and a challenging mountain
run. The Cruise To Run website has Google Earth maps of the planned runs and they look amazing.

Also included in the cruise are cocktail parties,  an organized swim,  guest speakers, meals, and more.
The Caribbean Princess has casinos, restaurants, 24 hour buffet, 4 swimming pools, hot tubs, entertainment, fully equipped gym,
and movies under the stars.
Check out the picture of this ship...amazing!

The Cruise is meant for everyone to enjoy, from the serious to the recreational runner. (Note: Non-runners are charged a small surcharge). Runs are a variety of distances and each run is
optional. On a Cruise to Run vacation you still have time to the beaches, snorkeling, shopping and everything else the Caribbean has to
offer.
Guest speakers on the 2010 trip include Runner's World CRO Bart Yasso, eleven- time Ironman champion Lisa Bentley and marathoner Dick Beardsley.
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Bookings for Cruise To Run 2010 can be done through their website.  Last I checked, there are already 100 people signed up for next year's trip and the reviews from previous trips seem to be really positive.

This is just the thing for getting away from the snow and gloom in late winter.  Don't wait till you are snow bound and going stir-crazy! Check it out!

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