Japanese novelist and marathon runner Haruki Murakami once wrote: “Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest.”
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More than an exercise, running is a means to know yourself, your limits and capability, and develop your mental and physical strengths. Whether at home or abroad, running is also one of the best ways to learn about our environment.
If you want to dive deeply into a city beyond the advertised landmarks and tourist attractions, running provides a unique perspective and an authentic taste of the place. In almost every city I have visited, I have put on my running shoes and explored. Running is also not a bad way to fight off jet lag.
As a Hongkonger, when I “staycationed” at various hotels during the Covid-19 pandemic, I did my routine morning run in unfamiliar neighbourhoods and realised how much my understanding of the city was limited to the few popular districts I frequented. I learned a lot about the lesser-known street corners, road connections, eateries and shops I never would have visited otherwise.
Running can also help you to be a better driver. There were often eureka moments when I discovered one road leading to another that I had not been aware of. I have become a better driver and navigator as a result.
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Some cities are runner-friendly with nicely paved waterfront promenades and generous pavements, and some cities are not, with their vehicle-centric roadways and poorly maintained pavements.