Running Bucket List: Greece!

Stadium at Olympia Running
Recently, one of my colleagues came into my office and talked to me about his recent experience of doing his first 5K with his son. He loved doing it, and I loved hearing about it.

As we talked about running and racing, he told me that years ago, he had taken a trip to Greece and that one of the places they visited was the original Olympic stadium–which still includes the original running track. 

I knew the stadium was still there, but I had no idea that the racetrack was still preserved. When he told me that, I was floored and so jealous he got to see it. (He’s a history professor, so obviously, he was, too.)

When he told me that his tour guide let them actually go for a run on the track, I’m pretty sure my jaw dropped and my tongue fell out like I was that old cartoon wolf. He just laughed and said, “It didn’t matter if I finished last. I got to run on that track.” (He then told me that he didn’t finish last, which is even more awesome!)

Right then and there I started my Running Bucket List with the first entry being “run on a 2,000-year-old Olympic track.”

Because…well…it’s a 2,000-year-old track from the first Olympic games. As a runner, does it get more awesome than that? No. No, I don’t think it does.

Except when you consider that the freaking marathon itself originated in Greece and there’s an annual race along that same course! #geekyrunnersquee

I think the second entry on the list will be to run the Athens Marathon (which is the one that runs that road, beeteedubs). After the way Haruki Murakami talks about running that course in What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, the idea of running in Greece seemed very spiritual to me, anyway.

And now that Bill told me about being able to run on the Olympia racetrack…I’m sold. A lot of runners have their wishlists of races they want to run by the time they retire from the sport.

I had never really thought about that until recently. I’m a runner, not necessarily a racer. I just love the experience of running. Which is why I think starting my Running Bucket List with a Greece twofer is a good way to go.

Who knows if I’ll ever make it, but I’m sure going to try.

What race or location tops your Running Bucket List?

 

 

 

 

I also have a Substack that you would enjoy!

 

 

 

22 Comments

  1. Nicole @ Fitful Focus

    The Athens Marathon is on my bucket list, too! I would also love to run the Great Wall of China, the Wine & Dine half, the Napa to Sonoma Half (can you tell I like races that involved wine), and the NYC Marathon 🙂

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      Oh, I had no idea there was a Great Wall one! One of my students a few years ago told me she was from a village not far from the Great Wall, and they took it for granted that it was there and rarely paid any attention to it. It’s like I always hear about New Yorkers and all the touristy things there, too. I had just never even considered the Great Wall of China to be that way!

      I hear so much about races that involve wine, and it’s so far out of my experience. Here in the South, I don’t really see that at all. Occasional beer races, but that’s about it.

      Reply
  2. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner

    We’ve been to Greece a few times and I did run there around some of the monuments and cool stuff in Athens but not near the original marathon site. It’s a great place to visit esp the islands. #wowlinkup

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      I could probably spend months in Greece nerding out about those monuments and other cool stuff. But the fitness nut in me would have to seek out the Marathon road. It might be involuntary. 😉

      Reply
  3. Des @ Finding the Skinny Geek Within

    Ok yea, that sounds pretty dang awesome. I don’t have any running bucket list items, but I do want to visit Arthur Ashe stadium and attend a U.S. Open one of these days!

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      I would love to hit the U.S. Open! I may sit for hours mesmerized when it’s on TV or streaming…

      Reply
  4. Annmarie

    I had no idea that the track with still intact! That is seriously so awesome and even more amazing that he got to run on it! Definitely adding it to my bucket list as well.

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      I was the same way! When he told me that, I was totally in shock. Who knew they still let people run on it, and that it was even still there? Crazytalk!

      Reply
  5. Aimee

    Athens is on my bucket list too! (Along with about 500 other marathons! I think I may have to run well into my 90’s to complete them all, lol!) I found you through #wowlinkup. I’m glad to find another runner who geeks out about the same things I do!

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      That’s awesome! I feel the same way–we gotta stick together! And yeah, all the places I want to run, I’m either going to have to be super rich or super old (or both!) to be able to get through them all. Here’s hoping, right? 😉

      Reply
  6. The Veggie Voller

    Running on that 2000 y/o olympic track would be so cool! Right now I dont have any place on my bucket list but as long as its warm I’m game. #wowlinkup

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      I know the feeling! This winter wonderland is starting to really make me yearn for spring and summer. Or really, just any temperatures that don’t make me think I’m going to shrivel up and die in a few seconds. 😉

      Reply
  7. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

    Ooh Greece, I’ve always wanted to visit but to run where the first Olympic marathon took place…wow…I’d be full of chills! I’d love to run throughout Europe!

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      Have you seen the movie “Spirit of the Marathon 2?” It is about the Rome marathon and the people who run it. It was fantastic and made me want to do some European runs, myself. I’m sure I will if I ever get the chance to travel there. 😀

      Reply
  8. Diatta @ Femme Fitale Fit Club

    Honestly that is pretty freaking amazing!!! I wonder if he took pictures. I would love to do that. HECK I would love just to go to Greece. I don’t necessarily have a running bucket list b/c I can run just about anywhere but for those who set goals, I admire that. #wowlinkup

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      He didn’t mention if he had pictures, and I kind of doubt it because he had no idea about running on it before they got there. But even still…that memory would be astonishing on its own.

      Reply
  9. Julie @ Running in a Skirt

    What a great bucket list. My running bucket list is the Disney Coast to Coast Challenge. I’ve run at Disney World, but not at Disneyland.

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      I just want to do any of the RunDisney stuff. I about lost my mind this year when I saw there were Star Wars-themed races and medals. But I couldn’t make it out to them. Hopefully next year or the next I can at least hit one Disney one.

      Reply
  10. jill conyers

    Running/racing in Greece has been on my list forever! It would be such an amazing experience and trip!

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      Yes! The trip itself would be awesome, and the running just icing on the cake.

      Reply
  11. Mary Beth Jackson

    Running in Greece and just visiting Greece would be awesome! A friend of mine went a couple of summers ago and videoed her run – it looked super cool and I too am very jealous!

    Reply
    • B.J. Keeton

      Oh, I would love to see that video! I am so jealous!

      Reply

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You can also hear more of Beej on the Dragon Quest FM podcast every Friday morning!

He also has some really awesome sci-fi and fantasy novels that you should totally buy.

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