London accomplished after many years of lost ballots and schooling that got in the way. The journey home when British Rail screwed up and we ended up in the back of beyond.

Mountain marathon in Denmark. Unlikely – perhaps it was, but there was no mistaking the commendations of Norwegian mountain folk. The day that saw the reunion of Tibet veterans with a great evening party and an overnight stay with hospitable folks.

The free trip to the land where it all began and a handful were gathered. The first unaccompanied trip to the Middle Kingdom but with wonderful friendships made among new acquaintances. Experiencing the significance of fellowship and the double champion who didn’t turn out. 

A marathon at sea – have you ever heard anything like it? A birthday spent doing 88 circuits of the Norwegian Sun, Cuba on the horizon and serenaded in the evening. The week we visited Caribbean islands and getting home was a hassle.

The journey home from the city of smiles could have ended in tragedy, fond reunion with the big race in the German capital and a marathon on the last day of the year. New Year’s Day itself is just fine for a marathon before red steaks, table fireworks, marzipan ring cake and bubbly.

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Marathon on the roof of the world in the thin air of the Himalayas. Transported by cycle rickshaw and elephant back. Rafting trip with fatal consequences, monastery visits and a drive across the world’s highest driveable mountain pass and the evils of altitude sickness. Marriage in the mountains, marathon run with a broken arm, a special welcome and a gala dinner that was stolen.

A very special cultural experience and a destination unfortunately no longer scheduled.

The Chinese run had to be cancelled with my own capital is an alternative. Journey of love to neighbouring countries and revenge over the extreme Alp.

A mysterious lung disease plagued large parts of Asia in 2003, but the rest of the world didn’t escape it, either. The Great Wall Marathon was cancelled, but with two plane journeys, three trips to Europe by car and three runs in my home country resulted all the same in the most marathons ever.

Off to scorching southern Europe in biting cold and rain beyond description. Unauthorised living quarters and a visit to Popeye’s Village. Ran a marathon run on my 44^th birthday – in good weather, of course.

Some almost-expired bonus points were exchanged for a delightful long weekend in Malta and 42 kilometres run on my birthday. The lesson learned was check the weather forecast of a so-called warm climate when travelling during winter.

One year with injuries. The Paris Marathon with sciatica and The Great Wall Marathon with a twisted ankle. A camping trip to 11 countries and sightseeing at some of Europe’s most famous football stadiums, two expensive fines in Austria and learning a lesson to look after yourself.

My runs in Paris and China went without a hitch, but calamity struck on my way up a Swiss Alp.  The trip prior to the marathon, a first-rate camping holiday with my two sons.

A fantastic run in the footsteps of Hans Christian Andersen, 30 pubs visited during a single run and New Year’s Eve with 42 kilometres in your legs.

After some quite extreme marathons in the world at large, I also competed in some conventional runs back home in Denmark. Conventional, perhaps, but also very distinctive. Running in and out of smoke-filled public houses during a marathon certainly isn’t conventional, and a marathon on the last day of the year was also an out-of-the-ordinary experience.  It was a proud father indeed who experienced junior’s little fairy-tale when the Danish Athletics Championships came the home town of  Hans Christian Andersen.