In Africa with the world´s best middle distance runners, dried-out water stations, cheats with alternative running methods, problematic vaccinations, a young man’s debut as a half-marathon runner, exotic food, rhinos, thousands of flamingos, a bloodthirsty fish eagle, the world’s most drawn-out presidential election and a coffee farm.

The Great Wall Marathon became big sister when another marathon was named after Denmark’s famous writer, Baroness Karen Blixen, in 2000. The world’s fastest 800-metre runner, Wilson Kipketer started the race and welcomed the runners across the finishing line. It was a very special run, with a fantastic safari in the days that followed. The Karen Blixen Marathon was never run again, which is a crying shame.