Month: February 2023

Riyadh Marathon 2023

Saturday February 11th 2023 I ran the Riyadh Marathon. Find below my full race coverage from a this marathon in the capital city of Saudi Arabia. Yes, Saudi Arabia!!

Riyadh City and Diryah
Three major landmarks in Riyadh are Diriyah, the Al Masmak Fortress and the Kingdom Centre, the latter with it’s “Skybridge” that affords spectalucar views over this impressive and vast capital. Most of Riyadh is comprised of “low” buildings, it’s mostly the hotels, Malls and such that are build in any significant height. The infrastructure of the city is based solely on car traffic, a metro is on it’s way but delayed as of Feb. 2023.

Riyadh Marathon 2023 - Al Masmak Fortress - Tor Rønnow

The Edge of the World
Ok, so number 1 top attraction in Riyadh is… far outside Riyadh itself, actually a few hours drive away: the impressive landscapes at The Edge of the World. We enjoyed an 8 hours trip to these amazing cliffs, the walk abouts not for the fainth of hearts when it comes to altitudes. I was a bit shaky af first, myself, even after a lifetime of mounteneering. Adaption – is comes fastly. Take a good look on these pictures, just incredible outdoors!

Riyadh Marathon 2023 - The Edge of the World - Tor Rønnow

Riyadh Marathon
This event sported 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon distances. The latter was on a 2-loop course and with a total of approx. 270 heightmeters up plus down, thus quite a challenge and an overall tough city marathon for sure. Nevertheless, also quite a spectacle as you can infer from the pictures. The organization of the race was superb – only minor issue perhaps the very slow hand-out of bibs – and on race day with very well-equipped water/supplies-stations with more than plenty of everything. It is not difficult to recommend this event and in an “exotic” country as well, at least coming from eg. Europe.

Riyadh Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive Riyadh Marathon (2023) here: (and in arabic, urdu, hindi, punjabi, and turkish):

Riyadh Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
利雅得馬拉松 2023 – 照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
リヤド マラソン 2023 – 写真提供: Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Riyadh Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)

Doha Marathon 2023

Friday January 20th 2023 I ran the Doha Marathon. Find below my full race coverage from a this marathon in the capital city of Qatar.

Doha City and Lusail
Three major landmarks of Doha and Lusail are given by the Doha skyline, the Lusail Stadion where Messi and Argentina finally meet their destiny and the newly finished Katara Towers, the latter a new iconic building of the World. We saw all of these during our short stay in Qatar alongside with a number of other nice tourist impressions from Doha, Lusail and Katara.

Doha Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

Doha Marathon
This event sported 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon distances. The latter proved to be a “mixed” experience with incredibly scenic views under the impressive Doha skyline on one hand and a complete lack of refreshments for almost half the race plus running in the midst of full open traffic on a motor highway!!

Doha Marathon 2023 - Tor Rønnow

See or relive Doha Marathon (2023) here: (and in arabic, urdu, hindi, punjabi, and turkish):

Doha Marathon 2023 – billeder/fotos af Tor Rønnow (Danish)
Doha Marathon 2023 – bilder av Tor Rønnow (Svenska)
Doha Marathon 2023 – bilder von Tor Rønnow (Deutsch)
Doha Marathon 2023 – pictures by Tor Rønnow (English)
2023 年多哈馬拉松賽 – 照片由 Tor Rønnow 拍攝(中文)
ドーハマラソン 2023 – 写真提供: Tor Rønnow (日本語)
Doha Marathon 2023 – photos de Tor Rønnow (Français)
Doha Marathon 2023 – foto di Tor Rønnow (Italiano)
Doha Marathon 2023 – fotos del Tor Rønnow (Español)
Doha Marathon 2023 – beelden van Tor Rønnow (Nederlandse)