October 9, 2025 • 57 mins
What if collecting your stars didn’t require juggling hotel hunts, expo lines, and start-time puzzles? We sit down with Destiny2Sport founder Victor Ortiz to unpack a smarter way to run the world; from Berlin’s fast streets and Chicago’s walkable logistics to New York’s electric maze, Tokyo’s quiet precision, Boston’s legendary grind, London’s all-out roar, and Sydney’s shiny new major status.
As a former soccer player turned triathlete and marathon tour operator, Victor shares the practical moves that save energy when it matters most: stay near the start in Tokyo, arrive by Thursday in Berlin to beat jet lag, fuel for NYC’s long pre-race wait, budget for Boston’s premium finish-zone hotels, and time the London expo so you can enjoy the Tower Bridge crescendo without missing aid stations.
We get tactical about course profiles, pacing traps, and on-the-ground choices that make or break the weekend. You’ll hear how room blocks close to finish lines change everything, why a Friday shakeout is more than a photo op, and how flexible group itineraries let introverts and social butterflies thrive. Sydney’s expo lessons, smarter merch runs, and those finish-line photos by the Opera House? Covered. Plus, a peek ahead at Cape Town and Shanghai as likely new majors, and what that means for entries, pricing, and planning your next racecation.
If you want your training to show up on race day, cut the logistics noise and protect your focus. Tap into Victor’s blueprint, choose hotels that serve your legs, and surround yourself with a community that knows the route from lobby to start corral to the medal. Want to learn more about a tour package with Destiny2Sport? Head to their website here.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_00 (00:00):
Welcome back, extraordinary striders.
I'm Coach Christine, your fairyrunmother of finish lines and
flight itineraries.
Today we are going global.
Because if you've ever dreamedof crossing the finish line
under the Bratenburg Gate inBerlin, running through Tokyo's
skyline, or taking your victoryphoto, kind of like I just did
recently at the Sydney OperaHouse, you are in for the
(00:23):
extraordinary episode that'sgoing to help you do this.
Because my guest today is VictorOrkez, founder of Destiny to
Sport, one of the world'sleading running tour companies
specializing in the worldmarathon majors and the super
halves.
We're going to talk a little bitabout that because you guys may
not know quite as much aboutthem.
He's helped runners from everysingle continent earn their
(00:43):
six-star medals and now beyond.
He's helped them discover newdestinations and create
unforgettable race weekendexperiences.
I can say this from personalexperience.
Here's something extra magicaltoo, though.
Destiny to Sport also serves asthe official international tour
operator for all of my RunDisney fans, helping runners
combine their love of travelwith the most enchanting races
(01:05):
on earth.
Now, my friends, from thestreets of London to the castle
line miles of Walt Disney World,Victor has built a community
that brings runners togetheracross finish lines and
continents.
He's run these races.
He has personal experience withthem.
So much great insight.
I am going to shut up now andlet this pro come on and give us
all the tips.
Welcome on in, Victor.
(01:26):
Glad to have you here.
SPEAKER_04 (01:27):
Hi, Christine.
Thank you very much for thatintroduction.
Um I'm very glad to be here inyour program.
Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_00 (01:35):
I'm so excited.
Victor, I just have to say, I'vebeen wanting to have you on
forever.
You are so busy because you takecare of your runners so much.
You're always traveling, you'realways keeping them on top of,
keeping on top of all thedifferent things.
So thank you so much for takingtime to share your wisdom with
us.
SPEAKER_04 (01:52):
Thank you to you.
We were planning these for amonth ago, but I've been
traveling a lot since sinceSydney, I believe.
Uh, but what now?
I have uh a couple of days justbefore um I'm flying to Chicago
this weekend that will be very,very busy and exciting for us.
SPEAKER_00 (02:11):
We're gonna talk a little bit about how you
actually get some sleep becauseI'm curious about that.
Because I don't think you getvery much sleep, my friend.
But first, let's let's start atthe beginning.
How did you first fall in lovewith running?
SPEAKER_04 (02:21):
Um, that was uh in 2009, 2010.
I was I I I used to be a soccerplayer, and and and then in 2009
I got injured.
Um then I was looking foranother sport to practice, and
then I started running just forum for fun and for help.
Um and then I decided to do myfirst 5k in 2011.
(02:46):
And then from from there Istarted practicing the sport.
I get involved, then I did myfirst my first my first half
marathon in Miami 2012.
Uh, and since there I've done um18 marathons, more than 30 half
marathons.
(03:07):
Oh yeah, so so that transitionfrom soccer um to running um
made me uh love the sport.
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
I mean, I can see the tie-ins because football
soccer are is such a there'ssuch a huge component of running
within that capacity.
So I could see that transition.
Um how did it feel though, goingfrom a team-focused sport to
more of a solitary sport?
SPEAKER_04 (03:34):
It's that's a good question.
Um, is it's at the beginning ishard because when you're in in a
team, is you is there's likemore activity.
Um you interact with other um umpeople and and and the
competition is different as wellas a team.
(03:54):
And then uh when when you startrunning at the beginning is
hard.
Um doing it alone by just byyourself.
Uh, it takes some time to enjoyum that sport.
Um, it takes some time.
Once you do your first race, 5k,for example, uh, then you start
(04:17):
um um understanding uh how itworks, uh, how you can um feel
better practicing.
But it's it's it's hard, thetransition is hard.
SPEAKER_00 (04:29):
I mean, I can now understand why I feel like it's
so important when you do yourtours, and we're gonna talk a
little bit about that too.
I do feel a really strong senseof community.
There seems to be a veryteam-focused effort.
Um, so I could see where yourbackground likely ties into why
you really create that teamfocus within your tour.
(04:49):
Because again, that's kind ofexactly what I felt that weekend
at Sydney.
So that leads me to the nextquestion.
How do we go from being a runnerin 2009-2010, tackling uh Miami
Marathon to creating the destinyto sport that focuses primarily
on running and tours?
SPEAKER_04 (05:12):
Um, I did my first half in Miami.
Then I at the same time Istarted doing triathlons.
Items, half items, and then Iwas focused more in triathlon
than running.
Then I did my first marathonmayor in 2013 in Chicago, and I
(05:34):
and I did it as a training for afull half for a full item.
So I uh running it wasn't my myfirst sport.
I did uh soccer, then I starteddoing running, then I started
triathlon, and I startedcompeting in triathlon.
Uh and then running was uh uhlike to help me to improve my
(06:00):
triathlon triathlon skills.
Right, and then I startedtraveling, doing triathlon
items.
I I went to I went to Miami, Iwent to Puerto Rico, I went to
Monsey, Monsey, that's um that'sa town close to Indiana.
Uh and then um I started doingtraveling with triathlons.
(06:24):
Uh, and then I started umgetting involved more in
traveling, right?
Uh and then uh uh I I I foundout when I went to Chicago that
there was like an opportunitybecause I saw so many people in
that event compared to atriathlon.
Triathlon, you you see 2,000people, and then in a marathon,
(06:46):
you have like five 50,000people.
And then I said, here'ssomething because I have a hard
time um finding out a hotel inChicago in 2013.
They said, there's somethinghere that we I can do.
That started in 2013.
Okay, uh, and then um I starttraveling, uh and then I then I
(07:09):
say like 2014 and 15, I have todo on a business that makes
tourist and a sport.
I didn't know which sport, but Iknow that something could happen
if I joined those twoactivities.
SPEAKER_00 (07:25):
I mean, I have to first of all say that I was
there at Chicago 2013.
That was my first marathon aswell.
Great, because it was 2013.
Never did I think, as I'mlooking around and I'm soaking
everything, like, huh?
I think I need to put together,like, there's a bunch of me
here.
So I love that your mind workedthat way because yes, I can see
it.
Um, I think one of the thingsthat I hear from folks when
(07:47):
they're tackling the majors, andwe're gonna talk a little bit
about that, is how overwhelmingthe logistics can be because
there are so many differentaspects.
So it makes perfect sense tothink of how do you provide
people with the opportunitywhere they can just focus on
what they need to focus on,which is having a good, strong
race weekend versus all of theanxiety of the logistics.
(08:09):
And some, of course, and we'regonna talk a little bit about
that, are definitely much morelogistically taxing than others.
Um, so I can't wait to get intothat because again, as we had a
chance to chit-chat a little bitin Sydney, you had some really
incredible insights as to theexperiences that you have had,
both as a runner and now asreally leading um thousands of
(08:31):
individuals towards these finishlines.
So, with that said, my friend, Ilove that we both start at
Chicago.
I think a lot of folks here do,but I would love us to kind of
look at the majors from theangle of kind of how they would
fall in race season.
Um, except with Sydney, we'lltalk about that one last.
So, first up, of course, wouldbe when I think of the
(08:52):
traditional race season, Ialways think of it kicking off
in the fall season.
Um, and now that Sydney is atthe at the helm of it, um, I do
think that that one's veryinteresting.
But I again want to leave that alittle bit more.
So let's start with Berlin.
When did you tackle Berlinpersonally?
And what do you think of it nowas a tour operator?
SPEAKER_04 (09:15):
Well, let me tell you that Berlin was our first uh
mayor as a tour operator in2018.
We we started in in uh as amarathon travel company in 2018.
I started a company in 2017doing sports, any sports, but I
(09:38):
started what what what you sawin Sydney, I started in 2018
with 10 runners.
SPEAKER_01 (09:46):
Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_04 (09:47):
So our company started in 2018 in Berlin
Marathon with 10 runners, um,plus um me and Cindy, my wife,
who who is uh my partner in thebusiness.
So we were 12 runners.
Uh and then Berlin for me is isspecial um because it's the
(10:11):
first one.
I have run it twice in 2018 andin 2020 uh 22nd.
And it was the first time that Iuh break that three hours uh
mark, it was in Berlin as well.
So um it's special.
(10:31):
The city for me is very special.
The course is a really nicecourse.
If you like to run, you can runvery well.
If not, it's it's not uh it'snot a healy course, so it's it's
very easy, it's crowded in thecourse.
So it's the first one that Irecommend.
If somebody wants to start in amajor, I always recommend um
(10:54):
Berlin for the course becausethe course and because the
pricing and the offer, you canget more, uh a better uh product
with less uh price, and then umis it's a city that you will
enjoy and you will will want tocome back.
SPEAKER_00 (11:14):
So absolutely, absolutely.
I I kind of think of it from theperspective of that Berlin's for
me as a as kind of primarilyfocused in US, um, is the best
one to start off withinternationally because it does
have the least amount oflogistics.
And while there is potentially alanguage barrier, everyone
speaks English, it's much easierto kind of get around.
(11:35):
Um, but again, I I love thecourse, I love the history
there.
Yeah.
Um incredible that it has a veryspecial place for you as the
first to kind of kick off.
I'm curious, since uh Berlin wasthe first probably for that fall
season, was it the only one thatyou guys decided to tackle for
2018, or were you already like,we're gonna do Chicago next?
SPEAKER_04 (11:57):
No, no, it was the first one.
Okay, so the only one in 2018.
SPEAKER_00 (12:02):
Okay, okay, so it was your first and only focus
for 2018.
Yeah clearly it was successfulbecause now we're here in 2025
with many, many other racesunder your belt.
What tip would you give someonethat was going to travel or race
Berlin that they should know orkeep in their back pocket?
SPEAKER_04 (12:21):
Um weather, for example, um well, sometimes it's
cold, sometimes it's hot.
Um, but weather is an issue, soalways be prepared and trained
in in hot weather because younever know.
Um so the weather is is issomething that you have to
(12:44):
consider in Berlin because thelast five years.
Um uh we have cold, rain, hot.
So in your training process, youshould be prepared for raining,
or you have to be prepared.
Um, because weather change inthe last three years, for
example.
(13:05):
Have changed, have changed.
So that's like the main thingthat you you should um be aware
in your training process beforeBerlin.
SPEAKER_00 (13:16):
So when I think of this, I automatically think of
the fact that like don't skipthose rainy runs, don't um don't
necessarily plan all of yourruns to be on the treadmill
avoiding the heat, because allof those things can help.
And I do think, and and you feelfree to correct me if I'm wrong,
uh, as to your opinion, I thinkit's always easier to acclimate
(13:37):
if it's a cold weather run dayand you've been training in the
heat versus the other wayaround.
Um, so definitely I would agree.
I know that 2025 we saw somepretty, pretty warm temperatures
in Berlin, um, which of coursecan make it a challenge for PRs,
but still at least you want tobe prepared to have a strong
finish.
So that's a fantastic tip.
(13:58):
What other advice would yougive, maybe specifically for
like preparing for like maybejet lag or maybe some of the
course cutoffs that people areworried about with Berlin?
Is there anything that you wouldthink of from those
perspectives?
SPEAKER_04 (14:12):
Yeah, well, jet lag is is is always important, at
least to be on Thursday.
Um, don't don't don't fly.
Some people arrive on Friday.
Uh I don't recommend that.
You usually arrive at least onThursday so you can recover from
the jet lag on Saturday.
You you're gonna be ready.
If you can get on Wednesday,actually, all our plans for
(14:36):
Berlin start on Thursday.
Yeah, because uh then you youand and then we do uh on a
shakeout run on on Friday.
You just you can be activeyourself and be ready um um for
the jet like jet lag.
So yeah, I'll try to arrive umon Thursday.
Uh that's a that's a good timeto get there.
(14:58):
Um, what was the other question?
SPEAKER_00 (15:00):
Course cutoffs and um navigating those course
cutoffs that people uh can beconcerned about for Berlin.
SPEAKER_04 (15:05):
Yeah, Berlin, um the cutoff I think is like six hours
and a half or seven hours.
Um what we recommend is and ifif you are like close to the to
the cutoff, if you you thinkyou're gonna do like six hours
and a half or six, um try to uhwhen you're gonna register,
(15:28):
register in a choral that youcan start a little bit early so
you can not be cut off.
SPEAKER_01 (15:36):
Right.
SPEAKER_04 (15:37):
Um we always when when we're gonna because we we
have our own platform ofregistration, and then before um
we're gonna send the link to ourcustomers, we tell them to try
to register, to register um in acoral, for example, in and put
(16:01):
five hours or four hours and ahalf so they can be in a in a
closer coral um and can avoidthe cutoff.
SPEAKER_00 (16:11):
Got it.
Okay, these are great advice.
The great advice because I knowpeople get very nervous about
that.
All right, my friends.
SPEAKER_04 (16:17):
For example, for example, in C in Sydney, we we
have a group.
Um they were runners of sixhours and a half, and we all of
them uh we recommend them toregister in a four-hour, four
hour, four hour and a half.
SPEAKER_01 (16:35):
Right.
SPEAKER_04 (16:35):
And they all of them they start in an early coral and
they could finish their race umvery good, uh, very good time.
So it was very it was very goodfor them not to be pressured.
SPEAKER_00 (16:48):
It was successful, yeah.
Because of course there is thatyou don't want that extra
heightened anxiety on the coursethat day either.
Um, okay, so this is see, thisis again why when you go with
someone who has this experience,you're able to have that
opportunity of the wisdom beingpassed along to you.
So again, this is why I had suchan incredible experience at
(17:09):
Sydney.
So thank you again.
Um, now, my friends, we're gonnamake our way through the
traditional travel season.
You're heading off, you'repacking your bags as we speak to
head to the windy city ofChicago, where hopefully there
is no wind on race day.
Um, tell us a little bit aboutwhat your experience would be or
what advice you would give forthe folks that are heading to
Chicago.
SPEAKER_04 (17:30):
Oh, Chicago is for me the like the easiest race to
in terms of logistic, becauseeverything is in in you know
close to the Millennium Park.
Uh, and our hotels are walkingdistance.
Um, if you are flying from theUnited States or from Latin
(17:53):
America, there's no more thanthree hours flight, so you won't
have that jet like a problem.
Right.
So uh the weather most of thetime is is good.
Sometimes it could be cold, soyou have to be ready just in the
start when it's cold, beprepared with your clothes, but
(18:15):
most of the time is like um it'sa good weather for running, like
50s or 60s or like 50s.
So uh and it's a flat course,like really it's the flattest
course, I think, compared toBerlin.
So um is is is is is you canenjoy it more than than other
(18:38):
ones.
So for for me, it's like theeasiest in terms of logistic.
Um and preparation um is flat,so it's not a hard preparation
compared to other ones.
SPEAKER_00 (18:52):
I I do think it's Berlin for my first
international was easylogistically, or easier
logistically.
Chicago for my firstinternational was, I mean, for
my first local domestic, wasdefinitely, or my first race at
all, my first marathon wasdefinitely a little bit easier
logistically because I had noclue whatsoever when I saw the
Verizona Bridge and I decided Imust run New York City.
(19:15):
I had no idea what I was gettinginvolved with logistically, my
friend.
So let's make our way to NewYork City.
I think that this is one ofthose bohemoths of there's so
many options.
It's quite quite the day.
So we're making our way to NewYork City.
SPEAKER_04 (19:30):
But you know, in Chicago, what what Chicago has
is um that the hotels are very,very expensive in in the main
area close to the starlight.
SPEAKER_00 (19:42):
You're absolutely right.
SPEAKER_04 (19:44):
Michigan Avenue, downtown, or uh Magnificent
Mile.
So that the hotel that's themain issue for runners in
Chicago is to find a good hoteland close to the starlight in
terms of price.
So there's where we help runnersbecause we have a good um
(20:07):
hotels.
We have the Marriott MagnificentMile, and we have the Trump, the
Trump Hotel.
Um both they has uh they have agood location, and we can offer
a good package so runners can beat as close as possible then the
the of the starlight.
SPEAKER_00 (20:29):
So I'm gonna make a little caveat right here and say
that one of the reasons why Iparticularly wanted to go with
your tour group over the othertour groups that specialize with
running as well, is that youchoose hotels that if I was
booking this on my own, would bethe hotels that I would be
choosing.
Um and for the and for therecord, I also will say, and
this is that was just like theone of the preliminary before I
(20:51):
really got to know all thethings that you offered.
But friends, when you'rethinking about these majors and
most of these hotels that arethe ones that Victor is able to
um obtain for these tourpackages, they could book up a
year in advance.
I remember for Tokyo having tohave like all of these different
reservations, even before I knewwhether I was going to be able
(21:14):
to get into Tokyo and do it.
So navigating that extra stressum is definitely not, uh it's
just it's why do it when youcould go with the tour operator
that can handle all of that,that has those connections,
that's able to take care of thatwith the room block.
So yeah, absolutely.
I would agree with that.
I I remember with Chicago, evenback then, how expensive it was
(21:38):
was a little bit of a shock forme, a price sticker shock.
That's absolutely true.
Um, so thank you for thatreminder.
Um, as we talk about New YorkCity, though, I do I will say
that it is one of the mostexciting of, I would say it has
a great energy.
Chicago does too, Berlin does aswell.
But New York City is kind of hasits own little bit of energy,
but it is exhausting to think ofall the different logistics in
(22:01):
different boroughs and thestarting lines and all those
different facets in logistics.
So tell me a little bit maybeabout your experience running
New York City.
Did you do it as a tour operatoror did you do it before you
became a tour operator?
SPEAKER_04 (22:12):
I do it, I did it as a tour operator.
Okay.
In 2019.
SPEAKER_01 (22:17):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (22:19):
I run it um in my first year as a tour operator.
SPEAKER_01 (22:23):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (22:24):
Um and New York, New York, I don't know what what
does uh New York has, but it'speople want to repeat it.
And when they finish, they theysay that that's the best race.
In terms of logistics, it'scomplicated.
It's complicated to get to thestar line, and it's complicated
(22:45):
to get out from the finish lineto come back to the hotel.
All that is is not easy comparedto Chicago, compared to Berlin.
But in the race, the start inthe Verasano bridge with uh with
the music and all that is thatspecial.
(23:06):
And all the course is uh alsospecial, um, because crowddy and
the the the uh the you you crossum Brooklyn and Bronx and Queens
and then the Fifth Avenue andthen the Central Park, so there
are like emblematic uh landmarksthat make New York special.
(23:30):
And actually the that weekend umyou can feel in Times Square, in
non-Mhat Manhattan, midtown, umrunners in everywhere um that
you don't feel that in in othercities uh like New York.
And international, especiallyfrom Europe, um Europeans they
(23:52):
love New York.
They can't they come to New Yorkfor five, six days, and then you
can feel that in the city duringthe weekend.
So it's it's I don't know, it'slike the more it's electric.
SPEAKER_00 (24:04):
It's electric.
SPEAKER_04 (24:04):
It's electric, that that's great.
SPEAKER_00 (24:06):
Yeah, I it's such a fantastic experience.
Um, you know, I always saythough, whoever I'm talking to
that day in whatever racethey're working for is my
favorite because they all haveso many special experiences that
you can really take away.
So with New York City, it is alogistical behemoth.
My friends, if you are at all alittle bit of an anxious
(24:26):
traveler, um, it is incrediblyhard to get into any of these.
New York City is just one ofthose that is and just do
yourself a favor and navigate,skip all the stress and have
these issues navigated by Victorand his pro team.
Um, but maybe for the runners,what would you give them?
(24:47):
Let's just say they're allalready getting ready, they're
heading to the race morning.
What would you suggest as a goodtip that they should be prepared
for on race day of New YorkCity?
SPEAKER_04 (24:57):
Oh yeah, on the race day, um the race starts very
early.
Um you have you have to take thebus at 5 p.m.
So um take the breakfast, a goodbreakfast before you leave and
take and take also um some foodfor the waiting time because
(25:17):
it's you have a long waitingtime before the races start.
You will you will get there likeum at 6 a.m.
or 6 30 a.m.
in in the stated island, and youwill have to wait all some some
people will will have to waituntil 11.
It's the the last people.
SPEAKER_00 (25:38):
I remember specifically thinking, I've
never had, because again, thatwas my first really big
experience like that, where Iwas breakfast, lunch, and dinner
were essentially all during themarathon time frame from the
start to the actually runningthe race to afterwards, you
know, walking after the finishline is such a long finish line
shoot and getting back tomeeting my um significant other.
(26:02):
It all went through all threemealtimes.
So I love that you're tellingpeople this.
This is such a great, great,great tip.
Do be prepared with that extrafuel for that day.
SPEAKER_04 (26:12):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's is is is uh it's a longjourney.
It's worth it though.
Yeah, and then you will finishat 5 p.m.
or 6 p.m.
It depends, uh, depends off ofyour pace.
But talking about uh if if youare a six hour or six hour and a
half runner, you will finish atlike a five.
(26:33):
So our our we do a pasta dinnerthe night before.
And then the pasta dinner startearly, 5:30 p.m.
from 5 30 to to 9 p.m.
So you can have a good rechargeof pasta and then you can sleep
early because you have to wakeup early, and then we have
(26:55):
breakfast in the hotel early aswell at 5 p.m.
So you can uh have a goodbreakfast and then be prepared
for the waiting.
Um, so all of that's the theissue in in your that's the
start, all the start process.
SPEAKER_00 (27:15):
Absolutely.
I think it's one of those umwhere again, navigating all
these different logistics fromhow do you get from your hotel,
well, even what hotel to choose,or how do you navigate getting
the start line, how do younavigate getting back, and
having you take care of thatafter the race is so fantastic.
But I love that tip because Idon't think that people realize
(27:36):
how long of a day.
Actually, New York City was thefirst time that I could say that
I quote unquote got an ultra dayworth of running in um because
from navigating, getting to thestart line and the finish line,
I think that at the end of theday, my garment said it was like
32, 33 miles.
So it was it was a very, very,very long day.
Um okay, my friend, we'refinishing up uh the official,
like the original six majors ofBerlin, Chicago, New York City
(27:59):
for the fall season.
We're making our way through theholidays into spring.
And then the first one up rightout of the gate in spring is
another one that I think can bea little bit challenging
logistically, is Tokyo.
Yeah.
Um, so what is your experienceand what is your tip or advice
for folks that are tacklingTokyo?
SPEAKER_04 (28:17):
Oh Tokyo, that's um that's a very um uh nice race.
Um, because the city, becausethe culture is different.
Um, Tokyo is is especial interms of of the culture uh and
the city.
And the race, and the race is isis a flat, it's it's not a hard
(28:42):
course.
You have a lot of turnarounds,so for some some people that's
hard um to see people running uhin each way.
Um so and then you have thestart in one point and the
finishing another point.
Some people ask where I shouldstay, if I should stay in the
(29:04):
start.
Um the start is in Shinyukoarea, or the or I should stay in
Finnish that is close to closeto Tokyo Station, uh, Jinsa
area.
Um we stay in the star area.
We stay in Shinyuko.
We have a nice hotel there.
It's a Keo Plaza, it's just umthis is in front of the star
(29:26):
line of the MetropolitanBuilding.
That's our hotel.
So we we um we don't have towait too early.
Um we get to the star line veryquick.
So uh I prefer to stay in,especially in Tokyo, close to
the star line.
And then in the finish, you cancome back.
(29:47):
That metro, the metro and thetrain system in Tokyo is
amazing.
Um, you have so it's easy to totrans the transportation is very
easy in Tokyo.
You so um um I recommend to stayyou know close to the start, but
it depends of the of what youwant as well.
SPEAKER_00 (30:10):
So friends, I promise we did not, this is not
like where Victor and I sat for45 minutes before we came on to
this interview to discuss how weall agree on all the different
points because you guys know ifyou've been listening to any of
my episodes, specifically when Italk about navigating the
majors, that that is exactlywhat I say is stay close to the
start line while thetransportation system is
(30:30):
fantastic in Tokyo.
It's also another layer ofstress that you don't want to
navigate specifically before youget to the start line.
Afterwards, you're happy, youhave your metal, maybe you're a
little sore, but who cares?
You can make your way back toyour original hotel.
That's great.
But the start line, you justwant to minimize any of the
stress that you possibly canhave.
And again, talking about thehotels that are hard to get
(30:54):
specifically, I'm not kidding.
I had the Tokyo the minute I hadit on my calendar as to when
they actually would open upreservations so I could start
holding rooms before Tokyo wouldeven have their lottery or
charity bids, anything of thatsort, because they are so hard
to get.
Um, so again, not navigating orhaving to worry about navigating
the metro system or navigatinghow to get to the start line,
(31:16):
how to maybe like how to reallyappropriate appropriately attend
the different cultural offeringswith uh Victor.
He can help you navigate thosethings.
I am kind of curious, what wouldyou say is a little different
besides the culture?
Um because when I'm and I'm evengoing back to Berlin, one of the
things that I love about Berlinis the friendship run that they
have the day before, um, or likethe difference with New York
(31:40):
City and like the kids in theborough of Brooklyn, like those
the kids there just have suchgreat energy.
What would you say about Tokyothat maybe kind of sets it apart
that we wouldn't be able to findin some of the other majors?
SPEAKER_04 (31:53):
Well, Tokyo, they have the friendship run uh on
the day before.
Uh they have like differentstart time, and that's that's
more like uh uh uh communityinvolvement or or nations
involvement, uh just 5k in a inan area that is um is not close
to the to the chingyuko ginsa.
(32:14):
Uh it's like where this thetower, the sky tower, I believe.
Uh did you did did you did youdo the friendship run?
SPEAKER_00 (32:23):
Okay, so I'm sorry, I called it the friendship run
in Berlin.
It's not called that, it's theshakeout run that they have
officially for Berlin where youfetch in the Olympic Stadium.
I did not get to fit do theFriendship Run in Tokyo.
I did Tokyo after the secondyear after it came back after
COVID.
It didn't it went it went sofast I couldn't, I wanted to,
but it just went so fast.
SPEAKER_04 (32:43):
Okay.
But um that it's not that crowd.
Well, you know, Japanese cultureis more quiet, so uh they are
they are on the street, but youwon't feel that energy that you
feel in New York or Berlin.
Um it's more on a in a spreadcity.
(33:06):
Uh it's very it's you have comuh like you have like districts
or communities, but it's likevery spread, so you don't feel
that energy that New York thinglike like New York.
SPEAKER_00 (33:19):
Yeah, it was.
I I I was not sure if it wasbecause it was post-COVID when I
did it, or if that was actuallyjust more of the typical
cultural experience, but it isdefinitely much more of a
respectful, quiet atmosphere.
Um, still beautiful, stillfantastic.
Still I'm very glad that it'spart of the majors, but
(33:41):
definitely it does feel verydifferent.
It does have a different energy.
Yeah, I run it.
SPEAKER_04 (33:45):
I I run it in 2023.
SPEAKER_00 (33:48):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_04 (33:49):
Yes, after COVID.
Actually, it we we need to usethe mask to get into the corral.
SPEAKER_00 (33:55):
Yep.
SPEAKER_04 (33:56):
And then in 2000, I run it this year, um, and it was
almost the same.
SPEAKER_00 (34:01):
Oh, was it?
Okay, okay, that's that's goodto know.
Okay, well, good.
Because I was like, huh, Iwonder if my experience, because
I was supposed to do it in 2020,when of course they were the
first major that started to kindof shut down because of COVID.
So I was like, I don't know ifmy experience would have been
different in 2020.
So thank you for letting me knowthat it wouldn't have been that
different.
SPEAKER_04 (34:19):
Um and the ex and the expo, well, the expo is is
is far from from the start, youknow.
Um, and the expo is not wellorganized as US or or Berlin,
but as New York, for example, oryeah, New York City.
(34:40):
Very Japanese, it's veryJapanese outlines and waiting,
and there they don't have toomuch stock in the in the
official um merchandise.
Merchandise.
So it's different.
SPEAKER_00 (34:57):
Yeah, I agree.
I do agree with that.
Um that's another great point,and we're gonna talk about that
little with Sydney.
How again, I know that you helpfolks navigate the expo, because
that can be that can be reallyfrustrating and difficult for
folks, especially people who arereally into merch.
So I can't wait to talk abouthow you help people with that as
well.
I do want to talk about as wecontinue going through the
(35:17):
season, of course, the Unicornof Unicorns, Boston.
Um, I do want to make sure rightout of the gate that folks do
know as a US entry, you cannothelp folks obtain a bib for
Boston, correct?
They would have to be LatinAmerican or a global
international runner.
SPEAKER_03 (35:37):
That's correct.
Okay.
That's that's correct, and notfor US.
SPEAKER_00 (35:41):
Okay.
However, you can still help tonavigate because Boston, again,
is another one where thosehotels are expensive if you want
to stay close to where everyeverything is happening.
It can be a little difficult tonavigate.
Most people aren't staying nearthe start line at Boston.
So you tell me what yourthoughts and advice would be for
Boston specifically.
SPEAKER_04 (36:04):
Boston is the hotels are the more most expensive um
in the seven majors.
Boston, they have the moreexpensive hotels in the start
area, close to common, to thecommon park and to the um to the
main the Boston Street at theconvention center.
(36:26):
So the staff hotels there, youcan you you maybe could pay$800,
$1,000 per night.
So they are very, veryexpensive.
You want to stay there.
Um, everything happens in thatarea.
Everything close to theconvention center, to the expo,
and to the finish line, um, andcomplete area.
(36:48):
So that's the if you wanna ifyou run Boston, if you stay in
that area, you will really feelthe energy of Boston.
For me, Boston is like the worldchampionship of runners of
runners, and you can feel whenyou go to the expo and you go to
the street, and you you can feeleverybody proud to be there with
(37:10):
their jackets.
Um, so but if you can stay inthat area, that will be good.
And then tour operators, we havebetter rates.
Actually, you can if you can geta package to us, accommodation
package through us through us uhin a better price than uh
booking the hotel by yourself.
(37:33):
Yeah, we we we can get a reallycompetitive rate from hotels.
We actually we stay in thewestern company and that is just
a couple of blocks from thefinish line and from the expo.
SPEAKER_00 (37:47):
We're us mere mortals, if you're just trying
as a typical runner to get inagain, if you didn't already
reserve it, then likely you'renot gonna find it.
If you do reserve it ahead oftime, because my personal
experience is that I started toreserve things ahead of time and
I was I couldn't find anything.
But when I finally did findsomething, I ended up going to
Airbnb, and then I had all of myhosts start to cancel one by one
(38:10):
because they realized that theywould they were much more able
to inflate the pricing that theyhad provided for me.
So Boston for me, because of thehotels, was not the same
experience that I think anybodywho was able to stay in that
area that they would have had.
Because as you said, it is thatis where it's at, right there.
You want to be in the hub aboveit, you want to be where it's
where um the people are,essentially, to quote a little
(38:34):
mermaid.
And so it is magical.
It does have that unicornenergy.
If you stay there, verydifficult to navigate that on
your own.
So this is definitely even ifyou um have your Boston
qualifying bib, even if you wentthrough charity, I would suggest
that you look at working withVictor because he is able to get
you those hotels and get thoselogistics down in a way that you
(38:55):
wouldn't be able to do on yourown.
SPEAKER_04 (38:56):
So I used I excuse me, I stayed in 2023 in
Cambridge, yes, in the otherside of the river.
It was like um a mile from fromCommon from that from that the
main area from the com and itwasn't the same spielings.
SPEAKER_00 (39:18):
No, I know I can't.
SPEAKER_04 (39:19):
I stay in and then this year we stayed with our
group in the Sheraton.
The Sheraton Hotel is connectedto the convention center where
the expo is, and there's andthis the uh the providence, uh
Providence um um commercialcenter well in that area, and
the screen was completelydifferent.
(39:40):
You have the restaurants, youhave people around, you have uh
the bars, you have uh all theenergy, uh, and and you can have
a better better experience as arunner, uh and as a as a tourist
in that area compared to beinguh just in Cambridge or just a
(40:02):
uh a mile from from this area.
SPEAKER_00 (40:05):
Yeah, 100%.
And it's almost like the minuteyou start to walk away from that
area, it doesn't even take afull mile before you start to
feel the energy buzz kind ofstart to come and come down
because again, that's whereeveryone's at.
So definitely highly, highly,highly recommend that this is
not the time to try to look atalternatives.
You definitely want to stayagain where the people are at.
(40:26):
So that that would be my biggesttip for Boston.
The other big tip that I wouldhave personally, I'm curious if
you agree, is that because it'sa net downhill race, um make
sure that you don't go out ofthat first that first 10k a
little too fast, which is veryhard for us runners to do.
SPEAKER_04 (40:43):
They they when they get if you do that, when you get
to the mile 16 or 18, you willhave a hard, hard time to get to
the to the finish line.
Hard time.
SPEAKER_00 (41:00):
Yeah, um, that could be why I cried during that time,
Victor.
It could be.
SPEAKER_02 (41:05):
You cried uh break your heel.
SPEAKER_00 (41:08):
Yeah, no, you know, heartbreak heel didn't actually
make me cry.
Um, because at that point I wasso over it.
I was let's like, ah, it is whatit is.
I have no more tears to give.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (41:19):
Yeah, that's the start of Boston is is very fast.
You're going down, uh, and thenyou you you think that
everything is okay.
I will do my best, but no, it'syou have because that from mile
16, from Lile 16 to 20, I think,is healed.
SPEAKER_00 (41:39):
That's really where it's at.
That's where I would say thatBoston gets that that um title
of being tough, is because thosehills do come at a point where
it's already hard to do thatpoint of the marathon,
regardless.
So um, yeah, it's it's a greatexperience, though.
So love that.
Let's make our way to London.
Um so finishing up for thespring races, tell me what your
(42:03):
thoughts are on London.
SPEAKER_04 (42:05):
Oh, London is I compare London with New York.
It's like in terms in terms ofenergy, they are like this.
They are very, very tired.
Um, but London City is special,it's a nice city.
Um we stay um close to thefinish line there in St.
(42:28):
James Bay area, and it's closeto Buckingham Palace and St.
James Park, the Hyde Park.
So um London as a city is is umand and in terms of logistics to
get to that to get to the starline and to and when you finish
(42:49):
to get back to the hotel iseasier than New York and then
other ones.
Um so uh in logistics is um toget hotels also is not easy.
It's very, very expensive to gethotels in the finish area, what
(43:09):
where are the best hotelproperties and close to the
finish area, so and they arevery, very expensive.
And then if you move from thatarea to in uh in other places,
then you won't have a nice, niceexperience.
SPEAKER_00 (43:26):
Um again, same same experience that you're
describing.
I wasn't able to get a finishline hotel, I ended up staying
somewhere actually around TowerBridge.
And while the property wasbeautiful, while it was
something that I loved, I wasn'table to get into the London
after party feel.
And like you said, the entirerace is a is a party.
(43:47):
So why cut yourself off from theexperience?
Um, if you're able to get incloser to where you really
should be staying at.
I I it's such a fantastic race,but one thing that kind of that
I take away is exactly whatyou're saying.
It's like New York City in termsof the energy.
I personally think it's evenbigger energy.
What do you think about that?
SPEAKER_02 (44:10):
They are they are they are really tied with.
SPEAKER_00 (44:16):
Those are the two quiet points of New York City.
There is no quiet parts ofLondon.
SPEAKER_04 (44:20):
That's correct.
In London, you have no quietplace, and then uh uh we have
our shear point in the towerbridge, okay, mile 13.
Yeah, there we have our, and Ithink that that's the more the
most exciting point of the race.
Everybody is in the bridge,beside the bridge.
(44:43):
Uh, and when the runners theycome into the bridge, you can
see their face.
They are really, really happy.
They are excited.
SPEAKER_00 (44:52):
Yeah, well, they just did a half marathon, that's
why they're really, reallyhappy, my friend.
They still have a whole halfmarathon to go.
No, it is incredible.
I always say that London, thecrowds were so big, and this is
actually 100% true.
I kept missing the water stops.
I was taking in so many things.
There were so many big crowds,so much of a party, that if it
wasn't for the fact that therewas the kindness of what I call
(45:14):
stranger danger aid stations, Ikept missing all of the aid
station stops because it wasjust such a big atmosphere.
Yeah, definitely definitely goesdown as one of my favorite
experiences.
I think everybody should havethat experience.
I did not, again, use a tourgroup at that point, went with a
charity.
In retrospect, if I was to goback and do these, I would
absolutely go with a tour groupand negate the aspect of all of
(45:36):
the different details of thingsthat I don't want to deal with,
which is trying to get thesehotels, um, trying to navigate
the expos.
Because even the expo for me atLondon was a little bit, while
it was easy to get to, it'sstill a little bit more
challenging logistically, whichI know that you do for your
folks.
We have just started touchingthat like all the little things
(45:56):
about all the majors.
We haven't got into super house,we haven't got into Run Disney.
So I wanted to make sure that weget into Sydney and then we're
gonna talk a little bit aboutCape Town and Shanghai.
And then maybe, my friend, wemay have to discuss you
potentially coming back to talkabout the Super House and a bit
more about Run Disney.
Um, so let's make our way toSydney.
Sydney, of course, is our newestworld marathon major.
(46:19):
Officially, last year it was thecandidacy race.
This year it was the officialmajor.
They were very proud.
The city was fantastic andexcited, and there was a lot of
energy regarding it.
What is your takeaway and yourtip for Sydney?
SPEAKER_04 (46:35):
Well, Sydney, I went last year to Sydney when it was
a um a candidate.
It wasn't a major.
Um, it was um 25,000 people, asmaller uh expo, and it was bad
as well.
Um but this year I I they did agreat job uh in terms of uh all
(47:01):
the the race and all what theycreate.
And I felt uh that it was amajor.
Um many runners, uhinternational runners, as um you
were you were part of our group,so you you uh you are a good
testimony of of what the raceand what um the event uh what we
(47:24):
do with our runners.
Um they have to improve the expoa little bit.
Um we we didn't we didn't have ahard time.
We we take our runners in in ourprivate bus on Friday.
I I know I knew that on Thursdayit was the it was the first when
when they opened the expo, theyhave a really hard time, I
(47:47):
believe that trying to find outhow to do it.
Uh but that that uh on on Fridayit was much, much better.
We can get into the expo veryquick, it was well organized.
We get we got our bits.
We spent like an hour and a halfin the expo, and most of our
runners they found uh merge.
(48:10):
They bought the jackets, so uhit wasn't that full, so it was
pretty good.
We arrive at four, like 4:30p.m.
We like to we don't we we likewe prefer to go in the afternoon
than the morning, in themorning, and so you're not
having to deal with thecraziness, yeah.
It's it's too crowd.
So we what we do is we do our uhuh city uh like a sizing tour
(48:34):
and then we stop in the expo.
Um, but it it was very good forus to do that.
SPEAKER_00 (48:41):
Yeah, so exactly that, Victor.
I didn't feel like I saw all thesocial media posts about how
horrible the expo was.
I didn't think it was horriblebecause again, um the Friday
going on Friday versus Thursday,it felt like it was a night and
day different experience.
Do I think that there needs tobe better organization, even
little things like how they cueup the lines?
Yes.
(49:01):
Are they still a very brand newmajor?
Yes.
Do we have to give a little bitof allowance for the fact that
there's gonna be some learningexperiences?
Absolutely.
I mean, goodness gracious, Istill learn something every
single time I go out for a runor anything that we try to do.
So there I do believe that itwill improve, but I do
appreciate how you helped us tonavigate that aspect and
(49:24):
minimize the headaches that Ithink a lot of other runners
experience.
There was plenty of merch, um,there's plenty of still a race
day experience or expoexperiences that I wanted to do
when we went.
So had no difficulty with that.
I love so if we're folks thatare maybe more introverted,
there seems to be a concernwhere if I go with a tour group,
I'm not gonna know anyone, or ifI don't know anyone, um, I don't
(49:47):
want to have to do all thesethings.
And I want to just right out ofthe gate stress that that is not
how Victor rolls.
He makes it where I call it kindof almost a buffet style, like
Disney, like take as much as youcare.
There is an experience foreveryone on his itinerary, and
it's take as much, come andparticipate as much as you would
like or not as like, or kind ofgo with the flow of it.
(50:09):
Um, but definitely Victor andhis crew and his team do make
everyone feel very welcomed.
I love the fact that you guyseven somehow figured out how to
navigate, getting all thedifferent starting groups to the
start line, because I think thatwas a little child.
I would I would assume that'd bechallenging for people to be
able to navigate, and you madesure that that happened as well.
SPEAKER_04 (50:30):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
We we try we try to make it easyfor all um the runners in our
group.
Um, we try to um um connect,make make like a group um to
connect, to make a community, tothey connect each other, yeah,
they can make friends.
We we organize activities so youcan participate if you want to.
(50:56):
If not, you can do it on yourown.
But all the activities are uhorganized for uh in in a moment
that I I know that will helpyou.
For example, a shakeout run is agood moment and a good time to
do it.
Um the time to go to the expo,you are not in touch.
(51:16):
You you can take your breakfastand then you can come in the
bus.
I always recommend not to go onThursday.
I I what I recommend is uh isyou get to the hotel, stay
relaxed, go out, enjoy the city,and wait for us that we will
take with in a private bus.
You will get your bid, and thetime is like organized so you
(51:39):
can um take advantage of theweek.
Uh and you are you are not inbrutch.
We have a like uh we have ourour cruise at at evening after
after the expo, and you havelike three hours to do whatever
you want, and we go by walk.
The location of our hotel is isI think is one of the best
(52:02):
locations in C.
SPEAKER_00 (52:03):
Exceptional, it's exceptional.
It would have literally been theexact hotel that I would have
chosen on my own, without adoubt.
If I could have gotten areservation there, I should say,
because again, they all bookout.
Um yeah, absolutely exceptionalbecause it was you put us in the
middle of everything, it was atthe finish line, very easy
logistically to get to the startline.
Um, I think that if you on yourown are trying to create an
(52:25):
itinerary, thinking of, I wantto make this as good as I can of
an experience of both touringthe area and being prepared for
my race.
That's exactly the way that Iwould say that you set up the
itinerary because it's stuffthat while you're able to get in
some circulation, you're able toget in some movement, you're not
like over tiring your legs,you're not necessarily over
(52:46):
stretching anything, you'reallowing for a lot of time for
downtime for people to relax andget into the group so they can
rest up and be ready for raceday.
Um, so fantastic with theitinerary.
By the way, your swag, maybesome of my favorite swag that
I've ever had in that backpackhas now gone to hiking with me
in Milford Sound.
It went to the Aroki NationalPark in New Zealand.
(53:08):
I just took it on my Ragnar.
So thank you so much for the funswag because I did not expect
that much fun.
Um, it was it was a fantasticswag back.
So thank you.
My friend, I want to talk aboutShanghai and um and of course
Cape Town, but I do know that weare kind of needing to wrap this
up.
(53:29):
So let me ask you really quick,how can people get a hold of you
if they are thinking that theywant to do Cape Town, which we
know, right?
Let's be honest, it's gonna be amajor next year, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (53:40):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, it's gonna be a major.
Yeah, that that's it's a major.
We are just waiting for theannouncement, but it's it's a
hundred percent.
It's a hundred percent.
SPEAKER_00 (53:50):
So you may as well look into if you're already
thinking if you have your six,your seven stars and you know
that Cape Town's gonna happen,don't wait for that lottery.
Just go ahead and make yourdeposit because it's I mean,
there's just no, there's noreason.
If it means a lot to you to havethe stars as soon as they come
out, just go ahead and do that.
Victor already has that uh tourpackage available.
(54:11):
I definitely would highlysuggest that.
What do you think aboutShanghai?
SPEAKER_04 (54:16):
Shanghai is gonna be a mayor as well.
SPEAKER_00 (54:18):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (54:18):
Uh, it's gonna be a mayor.
That's that's for sure.
Actually, we will be in inShanghai this year.
Uh, on November, we have ameeting there with other tour
operators and with organizationjust to get ready for 2027.
Um, that it's gonna be a mayoras well.
Um, they have everything um justwaiting to uh their their moment
(54:44):
that will be next year.
But Shanghai will be a mayor aswell.
We have been working with theorganization.
We have we have um we we havemeetings with with um Shanghai
organization in Sydney, uh inBerlin.
They will be in New York aswell.
Then we will go to Shanghai tomeet them.
Um but they they are in the inthe right track to be a mayor.
SPEAKER_00 (55:07):
So, what I'm gonna suggest, friends, is head to
destinytrisport.com.
I'm gonna have that link inepisode notes.
There you can um click entry,whether you're a US runner or
Latin America, um, because thewebsite is fully bilingual.
From that point, you can look atall the different options.
This is where I actually learnedabout the super halves, was
because of all the informationyou have on the super halves,
(55:29):
which we have to talk about atsome point.
So I have to have you, I have tosqueeze you in between all of
these really important meetingssomehow, my friend, to come
back.
One last question before we goum and officially bid you adieu
so you can catch all thoseimportant things that you need
to do.
You have one last bid that'sbeen given to you, and it's
(55:49):
magical because it's a goldenticket and you can choose to do
any race in the entire world.
What are you using it for?
SPEAKER_04 (55:57):
Um, sorry, well, sorry again, the good question.
SPEAKER_00 (56:00):
One golden ticket, one magical bib that you can use
for any race in the world.
What would you use it for?
SPEAKER_03 (56:08):
Um London.
SPEAKER_00 (56:13):
Okay, my friends, you heard it here.
That is the party.
You have to you have to makethis happen, friends, if you're
thinking about London.
Okay, Victor, I cannot expressenough appreciation for you
taking time to talk to us and togive this much insight to folks.
So we really would love to haveyou back on.
Thank you so much for joiningus, and thank you for helping
runners to really chase thesefinish lines around the globe.
(56:35):
So, friends, if you're listeningright now and your wonder lust
is officially activated andyou're like, I have some bucket
list items I need to check off,you're gonna go to
destinytosport.com, you're gonnafollow them on social, you're
gonna find everything from themajors to the super halves, and
yes, of course, that reallyexciting new Cape Town package
that we talked about.
If you want to hear more aboutVictor and what he has, you
(56:57):
could also sign up for hisnewsletter.
And with that said, Victor,thank you again so much.
SPEAKER_04 (57:02):
Thank you, Christine.
Thank you for for your time.
Thank you for this umopportunity.
Um, and I hope to be with you uhtalking about super half around
this thing.
SPEAKER_00 (57:12):
Yeah, let's do it.
SPEAKER_04 (57:13):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (57:14):
Until next time, friends, remember the world is
full of finish lines waiting foryour footsteps.
So keep moving, keep dreaming,and as always, stride
extraordinary.
Welcome back, extraordinary striders.
I'm Coach Christine, your fairyrunmother of finish lines and
flight itineraries.
Today we are going global.
Because if you've ever dreamedof crossing the finish line
under the Bratenburg Gate inBerlin, running through Tokyo's
skyline, or taking your victoryphoto, kind of like I just did
recently at the Sydney OperaHouse, you are in for the
(00:23):
extraordinary episode that'sgoing to help you do this.
Because my guest today is VictorOrkez, founder of Destiny to
Sport, one of the world'sleading running tour companies
specializing in the worldmarathon majors and the super
halves.
We're going to talk a little bitabout that because you guys may
not know quite as much aboutthem.
He's helped runners from everysingle continent earn their
(00:43):
six-star medals and now beyond.
He's helped them discover newdestinations and create
unforgettable race weekendexperiences.
I can say this from personalexperience.
Here's something extra magicaltoo, though.
Destiny to Sport also serves asthe official international tour
operator for all of my RunDisney fans, helping runners
combine their love of travelwith the most enchanting races
(01:05):
on earth.
Now, my friends, from thestreets of London to the castle
line miles of Walt Disney World,Victor has built a community
that brings runners togetheracross finish lines and
continents.
He's run these races.
He has personal experience withthem.
So much great insight.
I am going to shut up now andlet this pro come on and give us
all the tips.
Welcome on in, Victor.
(01:26):
Glad to have you here.
SPEAKER_04 (01:27):
Hi, Christine.
Thank you very much for thatintroduction.
Um I'm very glad to be here inyour program.
Thank you very much.
SPEAKER_00 (01:35):
I'm so excited.
Victor, I just have to say, I'vebeen wanting to have you on
forever.
You are so busy because you takecare of your runners so much.
You're always traveling, you'realways keeping them on top of,
keeping on top of all thedifferent things.
So thank you so much for takingtime to share your wisdom with
us.
SPEAKER_04 (01:52):
Thank you to you.
We were planning these for amonth ago, but I've been
traveling a lot since sinceSydney, I believe.
Uh, but what now?
I have uh a couple of days justbefore um I'm flying to Chicago
this weekend that will be very,very busy and exciting for us.
SPEAKER_00 (02:11):
We're gonna talk a little bit about how you
actually get some sleep becauseI'm curious about that.
Because I don't think you getvery much sleep, my friend.
But first, let's let's start atthe beginning.
How did you first fall in lovewith running?
SPEAKER_04 (02:21):
Um, that was uh in 2009, 2010.
I was I I I used to be a soccerplayer, and and and then in 2009
I got injured.
Um then I was looking foranother sport to practice, and
then I started running just forum for fun and for help.
Um and then I decided to do myfirst 5k in 2011.
(02:46):
And then from from there Istarted practicing the sport.
I get involved, then I did myfirst my first my first half
marathon in Miami 2012.
Uh, and since there I've done um18 marathons, more than 30 half
marathons.
(03:07):
Oh yeah, so so that transitionfrom soccer um to running um
made me uh love the sport.
SPEAKER_00 (03:16):
I mean, I can see the tie-ins because football
soccer are is such a there'ssuch a huge component of running
within that capacity.
So I could see that transition.
Um how did it feel though, goingfrom a team-focused sport to
more of a solitary sport?
SPEAKER_04 (03:34):
It's that's a good question.
Um, is it's at the beginning ishard because when you're in in a
team, is you is there's likemore activity.
Um you interact with other um umpeople and and and the
competition is different as wellas a team.
(03:54):
And then uh when when you startrunning at the beginning is
hard.
Um doing it alone by just byyourself.
Uh, it takes some time to enjoyum that sport.
Um, it takes some time.
Once you do your first race, 5k,for example, uh, then you start
(04:17):
um um understanding uh how itworks, uh, how you can um feel
better practicing.
But it's it's it's hard, thetransition is hard.
SPEAKER_00 (04:29):
I mean, I can now understand why I feel like it's
so important when you do yourtours, and we're gonna talk a
little bit about that too.
I do feel a really strong senseof community.
There seems to be a veryteam-focused effort.
Um, so I could see where yourbackground likely ties into why
you really create that teamfocus within your tour.
(04:49):
Because again, that's kind ofexactly what I felt that weekend
at Sydney.
So that leads me to the nextquestion.
How do we go from being a runnerin 2009-2010, tackling uh Miami
Marathon to creating the destinyto sport that focuses primarily
on running and tours?
SPEAKER_04 (05:12):
Um, I did my first half in Miami.
Then I at the same time Istarted doing triathlons.
Items, half items, and then Iwas focused more in triathlon
than running.
Then I did my first marathonmayor in 2013 in Chicago, and I
(05:34):
and I did it as a training for afull half for a full item.
So I uh running it wasn't my myfirst sport.
I did uh soccer, then I starteddoing running, then I started
triathlon, and I startedcompeting in triathlon.
Uh and then running was uh uhlike to help me to improve my
(06:00):
triathlon triathlon skills.
Right, and then I startedtraveling, doing triathlon
items.
I I went to I went to Miami, Iwent to Puerto Rico, I went to
Monsey, Monsey, that's um that'sa town close to Indiana.
Uh and then um I started doingtraveling with triathlons.
(06:24):
Uh, and then I started umgetting involved more in
traveling, right?
Uh and then uh uh I I I foundout when I went to Chicago that
there was like an opportunitybecause I saw so many people in
that event compared to atriathlon.
Triathlon, you you see 2,000people, and then in a marathon,
(06:46):
you have like five 50,000people.
And then I said, here'ssomething because I have a hard
time um finding out a hotel inChicago in 2013.
They said, there's somethinghere that we I can do.
That started in 2013.
Okay, uh, and then um I starttraveling, uh and then I then I
(07:09):
say like 2014 and 15, I have todo on a business that makes
tourist and a sport.
I didn't know which sport, but Iknow that something could happen
if I joined those twoactivities.
SPEAKER_00 (07:25):
I mean, I have to first of all say that I was
there at Chicago 2013.
That was my first marathon aswell.
Great, because it was 2013.
Never did I think, as I'mlooking around and I'm soaking
everything, like, huh?
I think I need to put together,like, there's a bunch of me
here.
So I love that your mind workedthat way because yes, I can see
it.
Um, I think one of the thingsthat I hear from folks when
(07:47):
they're tackling the majors, andwe're gonna talk a little bit
about that, is how overwhelmingthe logistics can be because
there are so many differentaspects.
So it makes perfect sense tothink of how do you provide
people with the opportunitywhere they can just focus on
what they need to focus on,which is having a good, strong
race weekend versus all of theanxiety of the logistics.
(08:09):
And some, of course, and we'regonna talk a little bit about
that, are definitely much morelogistically taxing than others.
Um, so I can't wait to get intothat because again, as we had a
chance to chit-chat a little bitin Sydney, you had some really
incredible insights as to theexperiences that you have had,
both as a runner and now asreally leading um thousands of
(08:31):
individuals towards these finishlines.
So, with that said, my friend, Ilove that we both start at
Chicago.
I think a lot of folks here do,but I would love us to kind of
look at the majors from theangle of kind of how they would
fall in race season.
Um, except with Sydney, we'lltalk about that one last.
So, first up, of course, wouldbe when I think of the
(08:52):
traditional race season, Ialways think of it kicking off
in the fall season.
Um, and now that Sydney is atthe at the helm of it, um, I do
think that that one's veryinteresting.
But I again want to leave that alittle bit more.
So let's start with Berlin.
When did you tackle Berlinpersonally?
And what do you think of it nowas a tour operator?
SPEAKER_04 (09:15):
Well, let me tell you that Berlin was our first uh
mayor as a tour operator in2018.
We we started in in uh as amarathon travel company in 2018.
I started a company in 2017doing sports, any sports, but I
(09:38):
started what what what you sawin Sydney, I started in 2018
with 10 runners.
SPEAKER_01 (09:46):
Oh, okay.
SPEAKER_04 (09:47):
So our company started in 2018 in Berlin
Marathon with 10 runners, um,plus um me and Cindy, my wife,
who who is uh my partner in thebusiness.
So we were 12 runners.
Uh and then Berlin for me is isspecial um because it's the
(10:11):
first one.
I have run it twice in 2018 andin 2020 uh 22nd.
And it was the first time that Iuh break that three hours uh
mark, it was in Berlin as well.
So um it's special.
(10:31):
The city for me is very special.
The course is a really nicecourse.
If you like to run, you can runvery well.
If not, it's it's not uh it'snot a healy course, so it's it's
very easy, it's crowded in thecourse.
So it's the first one that Irecommend.
If somebody wants to start in amajor, I always recommend um
(10:54):
Berlin for the course becausethe course and because the
pricing and the offer, you canget more, uh a better uh product
with less uh price, and then umis it's a city that you will
enjoy and you will will want tocome back.
SPEAKER_00 (11:14):
So absolutely, absolutely.
I I kind of think of it from theperspective of that Berlin's for
me as a as kind of primarilyfocused in US, um, is the best
one to start off withinternationally because it does
have the least amount oflogistics.
And while there is potentially alanguage barrier, everyone
speaks English, it's much easierto kind of get around.
(11:35):
Um, but again, I I love thecourse, I love the history
there.
Yeah.
Um incredible that it has a veryspecial place for you as the
first to kind of kick off.
I'm curious, since uh Berlin wasthe first probably for that fall
season, was it the only one thatyou guys decided to tackle for
2018, or were you already like,we're gonna do Chicago next?
SPEAKER_04 (11:57):
No, no, it was the first one.
Okay, so the only one in 2018.
SPEAKER_00 (12:02):
Okay, okay, so it was your first and only focus
for 2018.
Yeah clearly it was successfulbecause now we're here in 2025
with many, many other racesunder your belt.
What tip would you give someonethat was going to travel or race
Berlin that they should know orkeep in their back pocket?
SPEAKER_04 (12:21):
Um weather, for example, um well, sometimes it's
cold, sometimes it's hot.
Um, but weather is an issue, soalways be prepared and trained
in in hot weather because younever know.
Um so the weather is is issomething that you have to
(12:44):
consider in Berlin because thelast five years.
Um uh we have cold, rain, hot.
So in your training process, youshould be prepared for raining,
or you have to be prepared.
Um, because weather change inthe last three years, for
example.
(13:05):
Have changed, have changed.
So that's like the main thingthat you you should um be aware
in your training process beforeBerlin.
SPEAKER_00 (13:16):
So when I think of this, I automatically think of
the fact that like don't skipthose rainy runs, don't um don't
necessarily plan all of yourruns to be on the treadmill
avoiding the heat, because allof those things can help.
And I do think, and and you feelfree to correct me if I'm wrong,
uh, as to your opinion, I thinkit's always easier to acclimate
(13:37):
if it's a cold weather run dayand you've been training in the
heat versus the other wayaround.
Um, so definitely I would agree.
I know that 2025 we saw somepretty, pretty warm temperatures
in Berlin, um, which of coursecan make it a challenge for PRs,
but still at least you want tobe prepared to have a strong
finish.
So that's a fantastic tip.
(13:58):
What other advice would yougive, maybe specifically for
like preparing for like maybejet lag or maybe some of the
course cutoffs that people areworried about with Berlin?
Is there anything that you wouldthink of from those
perspectives?
SPEAKER_04 (14:12):
Yeah, well, jet lag is is is always important, at
least to be on Thursday.
Um, don't don't don't fly.
Some people arrive on Friday.
Uh I don't recommend that.
You usually arrive at least onThursday so you can recover from
the jet lag on Saturday.
You you're gonna be ready.
If you can get on Wednesday,actually, all our plans for
(14:36):
Berlin start on Thursday.
Yeah, because uh then you youand and then we do uh on a
shakeout run on on Friday.
You just you can be activeyourself and be ready um um for
the jet like jet lag.
So yeah, I'll try to arrive umon Thursday.
Uh that's a that's a good timeto get there.
(14:58):
Um, what was the other question?
SPEAKER_00 (15:00):
Course cutoffs and um navigating those course
cutoffs that people uh can beconcerned about for Berlin.
SPEAKER_04 (15:05):
Yeah, Berlin, um the cutoff I think is like six hours
and a half or seven hours.
Um what we recommend is and ifif you are like close to the to
the cutoff, if you you thinkyou're gonna do like six hours
and a half or six, um try to uhwhen you're gonna register,
(15:28):
register in a choral that youcan start a little bit early so
you can not be cut off.
SPEAKER_01 (15:36):
Right.
SPEAKER_04 (15:37):
Um we always when when we're gonna because we we
have our own platform ofregistration, and then before um
we're gonna send the link to ourcustomers, we tell them to try
to register, to register um in acoral, for example, in and put
(16:01):
five hours or four hours and ahalf so they can be in a in a
closer coral um and can avoidthe cutoff.
SPEAKER_00 (16:11):
Got it.
Okay, these are great advice.
The great advice because I knowpeople get very nervous about
that.
All right, my friends.
SPEAKER_04 (16:17):
For example, for example, in C in Sydney, we we
have a group.
Um they were runners of sixhours and a half, and we all of
them uh we recommend them toregister in a four-hour, four
hour, four hour and a half.
SPEAKER_01 (16:35):
Right.
SPEAKER_04 (16:35):
And they all of them they start in an early coral and
they could finish their race umvery good, uh, very good time.
So it was very it was very goodfor them not to be pressured.
SPEAKER_00 (16:48):
It was successful, yeah.
Because of course there is thatyou don't want that extra
heightened anxiety on the coursethat day either.
Um, okay, so this is see, thisis again why when you go with
someone who has this experience,you're able to have that
opportunity of the wisdom beingpassed along to you.
So again, this is why I had suchan incredible experience at
(17:09):
Sydney.
So thank you again.
Um, now, my friends, we're gonnamake our way through the
traditional travel season.
You're heading off, you'repacking your bags as we speak to
head to the windy city ofChicago, where hopefully there
is no wind on race day.
Um, tell us a little bit aboutwhat your experience would be or
what advice you would give forthe folks that are heading to
Chicago.
SPEAKER_04 (17:30):
Oh, Chicago is for me the like the easiest race to
in terms of logistic, becauseeverything is in in you know
close to the Millennium Park.
Uh, and our hotels are walkingdistance.
Um, if you are flying from theUnited States or from Latin
(17:53):
America, there's no more thanthree hours flight, so you won't
have that jet like a problem.
Right.
So uh the weather most of thetime is is good.
Sometimes it could be cold, soyou have to be ready just in the
start when it's cold, beprepared with your clothes, but
(18:15):
most of the time is like um it'sa good weather for running, like
50s or 60s or like 50s.
So uh and it's a flat course,like really it's the flattest
course, I think, compared toBerlin.
So um is is is is is you canenjoy it more than than other
(18:38):
ones.
So for for me, it's like theeasiest in terms of logistic.
Um and preparation um is flat,so it's not a hard preparation
compared to other ones.
SPEAKER_00 (18:52):
I I do think it's Berlin for my first
international was easylogistically, or easier
logistically.
Chicago for my firstinternational was, I mean, for
my first local domestic, wasdefinitely, or my first race at
all, my first marathon wasdefinitely a little bit easier
logistically because I had noclue whatsoever when I saw the
Verizona Bridge and I decided Imust run New York City.
(19:15):
I had no idea what I was gettinginvolved with logistically, my
friend.
So let's make our way to NewYork City.
I think that this is one ofthose bohemoths of there's so
many options.
It's quite quite the day.
So we're making our way to NewYork City.
SPEAKER_04 (19:30):
But you know, in Chicago, what what Chicago has
is um that the hotels are very,very expensive in in the main
area close to the starlight.
SPEAKER_00 (19:42):
You're absolutely right.
SPEAKER_04 (19:44):
Michigan Avenue, downtown, or uh Magnificent
Mile.
So that the hotel that's themain issue for runners in
Chicago is to find a good hoteland close to the starlight in
terms of price.
So there's where we help runnersbecause we have a good um
(20:07):
hotels.
We have the Marriott MagnificentMile, and we have the Trump, the
Trump Hotel.
Um both they has uh they have agood location, and we can offer
a good package so runners can beat as close as possible then the
the of the starlight.
SPEAKER_00 (20:29):
So I'm gonna make a little caveat right here and say
that one of the reasons why Iparticularly wanted to go with
your tour group over the othertour groups that specialize with
running as well, is that youchoose hotels that if I was
booking this on my own, would bethe hotels that I would be
choosing.
Um and for the and for therecord, I also will say, and
this is that was just like theone of the preliminary before I
(20:51):
really got to know all thethings that you offered.
But friends, when you'rethinking about these majors and
most of these hotels that arethe ones that Victor is able to
um obtain for these tourpackages, they could book up a
year in advance.
I remember for Tokyo having tohave like all of these different
reservations, even before I knewwhether I was going to be able
(21:14):
to get into Tokyo and do it.
So navigating that extra stressum is definitely not, uh it's
just it's why do it when youcould go with the tour operator
that can handle all of that,that has those connections,
that's able to take care of thatwith the room block.
So yeah, absolutely.
I would agree with that.
I I remember with Chicago, evenback then, how expensive it was
(21:38):
was a little bit of a shock forme, a price sticker shock.
That's absolutely true.
Um, so thank you for thatreminder.
Um, as we talk about New YorkCity, though, I do I will say
that it is one of the mostexciting of, I would say it has
a great energy.
Chicago does too, Berlin does aswell.
But New York City is kind of hasits own little bit of energy,
but it is exhausting to think ofall the different logistics in
(22:01):
different boroughs and thestarting lines and all those
different facets in logistics.
So tell me a little bit maybeabout your experience running
New York City.
Did you do it as a tour operatoror did you do it before you
became a tour operator?
SPEAKER_04 (22:12):
I do it, I did it as a tour operator.
Okay.
In 2019.
SPEAKER_01 (22:17):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (22:19):
I run it um in my first year as a tour operator.
SPEAKER_01 (22:23):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (22:24):
Um and New York, New York, I don't know what what
does uh New York has, but it'speople want to repeat it.
And when they finish, they theysay that that's the best race.
In terms of logistics, it'scomplicated.
It's complicated to get to thestar line, and it's complicated
(22:45):
to get out from the finish lineto come back to the hotel.
All that is is not easy comparedto Chicago, compared to Berlin.
But in the race, the start inthe Verasano bridge with uh with
the music and all that is thatspecial.
(23:06):
And all the course is uh alsospecial, um, because crowddy and
the the the uh the you you crossum Brooklyn and Bronx and Queens
and then the Fifth Avenue andthen the Central Park, so there
are like emblematic uh landmarksthat make New York special.
(23:30):
And actually the that weekend umyou can feel in Times Square, in
non-Mhat Manhattan, midtown, umrunners in everywhere um that
you don't feel that in in othercities uh like New York.
And international, especiallyfrom Europe, um Europeans they
(23:52):
love New York.
They can't they come to New Yorkfor five, six days, and then you
can feel that in the city duringthe weekend.
So it's it's I don't know, it'slike the more it's electric.
SPEAKER_00 (24:04):
It's electric.
SPEAKER_04 (24:04):
It's electric, that that's great.
SPEAKER_00 (24:06):
Yeah, I it's such a fantastic experience.
Um, you know, I always saythough, whoever I'm talking to
that day in whatever racethey're working for is my
favorite because they all haveso many special experiences that
you can really take away.
So with New York City, it is alogistical behemoth.
My friends, if you are at all alittle bit of an anxious
(24:26):
traveler, um, it is incrediblyhard to get into any of these.
New York City is just one ofthose that is and just do
yourself a favor and navigate,skip all the stress and have
these issues navigated by Victorand his pro team.
Um, but maybe for the runners,what would you give them?
(24:47):
Let's just say they're allalready getting ready, they're
heading to the race morning.
What would you suggest as a goodtip that they should be prepared
for on race day of New YorkCity?
SPEAKER_04 (24:57):
Oh yeah, on the race day, um the race starts very
early.
Um you have you have to take thebus at 5 p.m.
So um take the breakfast, a goodbreakfast before you leave and
take and take also um some foodfor the waiting time because
(25:17):
it's you have a long waitingtime before the races start.
You will you will get there likeum at 6 a.m.
or 6 30 a.m.
in in the stated island, and youwill have to wait all some some
people will will have to waituntil 11.
It's the the last people.
SPEAKER_00 (25:38):
I remember specifically thinking, I've
never had, because again, thatwas my first really big
experience like that, where Iwas breakfast, lunch, and dinner
were essentially all during themarathon time frame from the
start to the actually runningthe race to afterwards, you
know, walking after the finishline is such a long finish line
shoot and getting back tomeeting my um significant other.
(26:02):
It all went through all threemealtimes.
So I love that you're tellingpeople this.
This is such a great, great,great tip.
Do be prepared with that extrafuel for that day.
SPEAKER_04 (26:12):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's is is is uh it's a longjourney.
It's worth it though.
Yeah, and then you will finishat 5 p.m.
or 6 p.m.
It depends, uh, depends off ofyour pace.
But talking about uh if if youare a six hour or six hour and a
half runner, you will finish atlike a five.
(26:33):
So our our we do a pasta dinnerthe night before.
And then the pasta dinner startearly, 5:30 p.m.
from 5 30 to to 9 p.m.
So you can have a good rechargeof pasta and then you can sleep
early because you have to wakeup early, and then we have
(26:55):
breakfast in the hotel early aswell at 5 p.m.
So you can uh have a goodbreakfast and then be prepared
for the waiting.
Um, so all of that's the theissue in in your that's the
start, all the start process.
SPEAKER_00 (27:15):
Absolutely.
I think it's one of those umwhere again, navigating all
these different logistics fromhow do you get from your hotel,
well, even what hotel to choose,or how do you navigate getting
the start line, how do younavigate getting back, and
having you take care of thatafter the race is so fantastic.
But I love that tip because Idon't think that people realize
(27:36):
how long of a day.
Actually, New York City was thefirst time that I could say that
I quote unquote got an ultra dayworth of running in um because
from navigating, getting to thestart line and the finish line,
I think that at the end of theday, my garment said it was like
32, 33 miles.
So it was it was a very, very,very long day.
Um okay, my friend, we'refinishing up uh the official,
like the original six majors ofBerlin, Chicago, New York City
(27:59):
for the fall season.
We're making our way through theholidays into spring.
And then the first one up rightout of the gate in spring is
another one that I think can bea little bit challenging
logistically, is Tokyo.
Yeah.
Um, so what is your experienceand what is your tip or advice
for folks that are tacklingTokyo?
SPEAKER_04 (28:17):
Oh Tokyo, that's um that's a very um uh nice race.
Um, because the city, becausethe culture is different.
Um, Tokyo is is especial interms of of the culture uh and
the city.
And the race, and the race is isis a flat, it's it's not a hard
(28:42):
course.
You have a lot of turnarounds,so for some some people that's
hard um to see people running uhin each way.
Um so and then you have thestart in one point and the
finishing another point.
Some people ask where I shouldstay, if I should stay in the
(29:04):
start.
Um the start is in Shinyukoarea, or the or I should stay in
Finnish that is close to closeto Tokyo Station, uh, Jinsa
area.
Um we stay in the star area.
We stay in Shinyuko.
We have a nice hotel there.
It's a Keo Plaza, it's just umthis is in front of the star
(29:26):
line of the MetropolitanBuilding.
That's our hotel.
So we we um we don't have towait too early.
Um we get to the star line veryquick.
So uh I prefer to stay in,especially in Tokyo, close to
the star line.
And then in the finish, you cancome back.
(29:47):
That metro, the metro and thetrain system in Tokyo is
amazing.
Um, you have so it's easy to totrans the transportation is very
easy in Tokyo.
You so um um I recommend to stayyou know close to the start, but
it depends of the of what youwant as well.
SPEAKER_00 (30:10):
So friends, I promise we did not, this is not
like where Victor and I sat for45 minutes before we came on to
this interview to discuss how weall agree on all the different
points because you guys know ifyou've been listening to any of
my episodes, specifically when Italk about navigating the
majors, that that is exactlywhat I say is stay close to the
start line while thetransportation system is
(30:30):
fantastic in Tokyo.
It's also another layer ofstress that you don't want to
navigate specifically before youget to the start line.
Afterwards, you're happy, youhave your metal, maybe you're a
little sore, but who cares?
You can make your way back toyour original hotel.
That's great.
But the start line, you justwant to minimize any of the
stress that you possibly canhave.
And again, talking about thehotels that are hard to get
(30:54):
specifically, I'm not kidding.
I had the Tokyo the minute I hadit on my calendar as to when
they actually would open upreservations so I could start
holding rooms before Tokyo wouldeven have their lottery or
charity bids, anything of thatsort, because they are so hard
to get.
Um, so again, not navigating orhaving to worry about navigating
the metro system or navigatinghow to get to the start line,
(31:16):
how to maybe like how to reallyappropriate appropriately attend
the different cultural offeringswith uh Victor.
He can help you navigate thosethings.
I am kind of curious, what wouldyou say is a little different
besides the culture?
Um because when I'm and I'm evengoing back to Berlin, one of the
things that I love about Berlinis the friendship run that they
have the day before, um, or likethe difference with New York
(31:40):
City and like the kids in theborough of Brooklyn, like those
the kids there just have suchgreat energy.
What would you say about Tokyothat maybe kind of sets it apart
that we wouldn't be able to findin some of the other majors?
SPEAKER_04 (31:53):
Well, Tokyo, they have the friendship run uh on
the day before.
Uh they have like differentstart time, and that's that's
more like uh uh uh communityinvolvement or or nations
involvement, uh just 5k in a inan area that is um is not close
to the to the chingyuko ginsa.
(32:14):
Uh it's like where this thetower, the sky tower, I believe.
Uh did you did did you did youdo the friendship run?
SPEAKER_00 (32:23):
Okay, so I'm sorry, I called it the friendship run
in Berlin.
It's not called that, it's theshakeout run that they have
officially for Berlin where youfetch in the Olympic Stadium.
I did not get to fit do theFriendship Run in Tokyo.
I did Tokyo after the secondyear after it came back after
COVID.
It didn't it went it went sofast I couldn't, I wanted to,
but it just went so fast.
SPEAKER_04 (32:43):
Okay.
But um that it's not that crowd.
Well, you know, Japanese cultureis more quiet, so uh they are
they are on the street, but youwon't feel that energy that you
feel in New York or Berlin.
Um it's more on a in a spreadcity.
(33:06):
Uh it's very it's you have comuh like you have like districts
or communities, but it's likevery spread, so you don't feel
that energy that New York thinglike like New York.
SPEAKER_00 (33:19):
Yeah, it was.
I I I was not sure if it wasbecause it was post-COVID when I
did it, or if that was actuallyjust more of the typical
cultural experience, but it isdefinitely much more of a
respectful, quiet atmosphere.
Um, still beautiful, stillfantastic.
Still I'm very glad that it'spart of the majors, but
(33:41):
definitely it does feel verydifferent.
It does have a different energy.
Yeah, I run it.
SPEAKER_04 (33:45):
I I run it in 2023.
SPEAKER_00 (33:48):
Uh-huh.
SPEAKER_04 (33:49):
Yes, after COVID.
Actually, it we we need to usethe mask to get into the corral.
SPEAKER_00 (33:55):
Yep.
SPEAKER_04 (33:56):
And then in 2000, I run it this year, um, and it was
almost the same.
SPEAKER_00 (34:01):
Oh, was it?
Okay, okay, that's that's goodto know.
Okay, well, good.
Because I was like, huh, Iwonder if my experience, because
I was supposed to do it in 2020,when of course they were the
first major that started to kindof shut down because of COVID.
So I was like, I don't know ifmy experience would have been
different in 2020.
So thank you for letting me knowthat it wouldn't have been that
different.
SPEAKER_04 (34:19):
Um and the ex and the expo, well, the expo is is
is far from from the start, youknow.
Um, and the expo is not wellorganized as US or or Berlin,
but as New York, for example, oryeah, New York City.
(34:40):
Very Japanese, it's veryJapanese outlines and waiting,
and there they don't have toomuch stock in the in the
official um merchandise.
Merchandise.
So it's different.
SPEAKER_00 (34:57):
Yeah, I agree.
I do agree with that.
Um that's another great point,and we're gonna talk about that
little with Sydney.
How again, I know that you helpfolks navigate the expo, because
that can be that can be reallyfrustrating and difficult for
folks, especially people who arereally into merch.
So I can't wait to talk abouthow you help people with that as
well.
I do want to talk about as wecontinue going through the
(35:17):
season, of course, the Unicornof Unicorns, Boston.
Um, I do want to make sure rightout of the gate that folks do
know as a US entry, you cannothelp folks obtain a bib for
Boston, correct?
They would have to be LatinAmerican or a global
international runner.
SPEAKER_03 (35:37):
That's correct.
Okay.
That's that's correct, and notfor US.
SPEAKER_00 (35:41):
Okay.
However, you can still help tonavigate because Boston, again,
is another one where thosehotels are expensive if you want
to stay close to where everyeverything is happening.
It can be a little difficult tonavigate.
Most people aren't staying nearthe start line at Boston.
So you tell me what yourthoughts and advice would be for
Boston specifically.
SPEAKER_04 (36:04):
Boston is the hotels are the more most expensive um
in the seven majors.
Boston, they have the moreexpensive hotels in the start
area, close to common, to thecommon park and to the um to the
main the Boston Street at theconvention center.
(36:26):
So the staff hotels there, youcan you you maybe could pay$800,
$1,000 per night.
So they are very, veryexpensive.
You want to stay there.
Um, everything happens in thatarea.
Everything close to theconvention center, to the expo,
and to the finish line, um, andcomplete area.
(36:48):
So that's the if you wanna ifyou run Boston, if you stay in
that area, you will really feelthe energy of Boston.
For me, Boston is like the worldchampionship of runners of
runners, and you can feel whenyou go to the expo and you go to
the street, and you you can feeleverybody proud to be there with
(37:10):
their jackets.
Um, so but if you can stay inthat area, that will be good.
And then tour operators, we havebetter rates.
Actually, you can if you can geta package to us, accommodation
package through us through us uhin a better price than uh
booking the hotel by yourself.
(37:33):
Yeah, we we we can get a reallycompetitive rate from hotels.
We actually we stay in thewestern company and that is just
a couple of blocks from thefinish line and from the expo.
SPEAKER_00 (37:47):
We're us mere mortals, if you're just trying
as a typical runner to get inagain, if you didn't already
reserve it, then likely you'renot gonna find it.
If you do reserve it ahead oftime, because my personal
experience is that I started toreserve things ahead of time and
I was I couldn't find anything.
But when I finally did findsomething, I ended up going to
Airbnb, and then I had all of myhosts start to cancel one by one
(38:10):
because they realized that theywould they were much more able
to inflate the pricing that theyhad provided for me.
So Boston for me, because of thehotels, was not the same
experience that I think anybodywho was able to stay in that
area that they would have had.
Because as you said, it is thatis where it's at, right there.
You want to be in the hub aboveit, you want to be where it's
where um the people are,essentially, to quote a little
(38:34):
mermaid.
And so it is magical.
It does have that unicornenergy.
If you stay there, verydifficult to navigate that on
your own.
So this is definitely even ifyou um have your Boston
qualifying bib, even if you wentthrough charity, I would suggest
that you look at working withVictor because he is able to get
you those hotels and get thoselogistics down in a way that you
(38:55):
wouldn't be able to do on yourown.
SPEAKER_04 (38:56):
So I used I excuse me, I stayed in 2023 in
Cambridge, yes, in the otherside of the river.
It was like um a mile from fromCommon from that from that the
main area from the com and itwasn't the same spielings.
SPEAKER_00 (39:18):
No, I know I can't.
SPEAKER_04 (39:19):
I stay in and then this year we stayed with our
group in the Sheraton.
The Sheraton Hotel is connectedto the convention center where
the expo is, and there's andthis the uh the providence, uh
Providence um um commercialcenter well in that area, and
the screen was completelydifferent.
(39:40):
You have the restaurants, youhave people around, you have uh
the bars, you have uh all theenergy, uh, and and you can have
a better better experience as arunner, uh and as a as a tourist
in that area compared to beinguh just in Cambridge or just a
(40:02):
uh a mile from from this area.
SPEAKER_00 (40:05):
Yeah, 100%.
And it's almost like the minuteyou start to walk away from that
area, it doesn't even take afull mile before you start to
feel the energy buzz kind ofstart to come and come down
because again, that's whereeveryone's at.
So definitely highly, highly,highly recommend that this is
not the time to try to look atalternatives.
You definitely want to stayagain where the people are at.
(40:26):
So that that would be my biggesttip for Boston.
The other big tip that I wouldhave personally, I'm curious if
you agree, is that because it'sa net downhill race, um make
sure that you don't go out ofthat first that first 10k a
little too fast, which is veryhard for us runners to do.
SPEAKER_04 (40:43):
They they when they get if you do that, when you get
to the mile 16 or 18, you willhave a hard, hard time to get to
the to the finish line.
Hard time.
SPEAKER_00 (41:00):
Yeah, um, that could be why I cried during that time,
Victor.
It could be.
SPEAKER_02 (41:05):
You cried uh break your heel.
SPEAKER_00 (41:08):
Yeah, no, you know, heartbreak heel didn't actually
make me cry.
Um, because at that point I wasso over it.
I was let's like, ah, it is whatit is.
I have no more tears to give.
Yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (41:19):
Yeah, that's the start of Boston is is very fast.
You're going down, uh, and thenyou you you think that
everything is okay.
I will do my best, but no, it'syou have because that from mile
16, from Lile 16 to 20, I think,is healed.
SPEAKER_00 (41:39):
That's really where it's at.
That's where I would say thatBoston gets that that um title
of being tough, is because thosehills do come at a point where
it's already hard to do thatpoint of the marathon,
regardless.
So um, yeah, it's it's a greatexperience, though.
So love that.
Let's make our way to London.
Um so finishing up for thespring races, tell me what your
(42:03):
thoughts are on London.
SPEAKER_04 (42:05):
Oh, London is I compare London with New York.
It's like in terms in terms ofenergy, they are like this.
They are very, very tired.
Um, but London City is special,it's a nice city.
Um we stay um close to thefinish line there in St.
(42:28):
James Bay area, and it's closeto Buckingham Palace and St.
James Park, the Hyde Park.
So um London as a city is is umand and in terms of logistics to
get to that to get to the starline and to and when you finish
(42:49):
to get back to the hotel iseasier than New York and then
other ones.
Um so uh in logistics is um toget hotels also is not easy.
It's very, very expensive to gethotels in the finish area, what
(43:09):
where are the best hotelproperties and close to the
finish area, so and they arevery, very expensive.
And then if you move from thatarea to in uh in other places,
then you won't have a nice, niceexperience.
SPEAKER_00 (43:26):
Um again, same same experience that you're
describing.
I wasn't able to get a finishline hotel, I ended up staying
somewhere actually around TowerBridge.
And while the property wasbeautiful, while it was
something that I loved, I wasn'table to get into the London
after party feel.
And like you said, the entirerace is a is a party.
(43:47):
So why cut yourself off from theexperience?
Um, if you're able to get incloser to where you really
should be staying at.
I I it's such a fantastic race,but one thing that kind of that
I take away is exactly whatyou're saying.
It's like New York City in termsof the energy.
I personally think it's evenbigger energy.
What do you think about that?
SPEAKER_02 (44:10):
They are they are they are really tied with.
SPEAKER_00 (44:16):
Those are the two quiet points of New York City.
There is no quiet parts ofLondon.
SPEAKER_04 (44:20):
That's correct.
In London, you have no quietplace, and then uh uh we have
our shear point in the towerbridge, okay, mile 13.
Yeah, there we have our, and Ithink that that's the more the
most exciting point of the race.
Everybody is in the bridge,beside the bridge.
(44:43):
Uh, and when the runners theycome into the bridge, you can
see their face.
They are really, really happy.
They are excited.
SPEAKER_00 (44:52):
Yeah, well, they just did a half marathon, that's
why they're really, reallyhappy, my friend.
They still have a whole halfmarathon to go.
No, it is incredible.
I always say that London, thecrowds were so big, and this is
actually 100% true.
I kept missing the water stops.
I was taking in so many things.
There were so many big crowds,so much of a party, that if it
wasn't for the fact that therewas the kindness of what I call
(45:14):
stranger danger aid stations, Ikept missing all of the aid
station stops because it wasjust such a big atmosphere.
Yeah, definitely definitely goesdown as one of my favorite
experiences.
I think everybody should havethat experience.
I did not, again, use a tourgroup at that point, went with a
charity.
In retrospect, if I was to goback and do these, I would
absolutely go with a tour groupand negate the aspect of all of
(45:36):
the different details of thingsthat I don't want to deal with,
which is trying to get thesehotels, um, trying to navigate
the expos.
Because even the expo for me atLondon was a little bit, while
it was easy to get to, it'sstill a little bit more
challenging logistically, whichI know that you do for your
folks.
We have just started touchingthat like all the little things
(45:56):
about all the majors.
We haven't got into super house,we haven't got into Run Disney.
So I wanted to make sure that weget into Sydney and then we're
gonna talk a little bit aboutCape Town and Shanghai.
And then maybe, my friend, wemay have to discuss you
potentially coming back to talkabout the Super House and a bit
more about Run Disney.
Um, so let's make our way toSydney.
Sydney, of course, is our newestworld marathon major.
(46:19):
Officially, last year it was thecandidacy race.
This year it was the officialmajor.
They were very proud.
The city was fantastic andexcited, and there was a lot of
energy regarding it.
What is your takeaway and yourtip for Sydney?
SPEAKER_04 (46:35):
Well, Sydney, I went last year to Sydney when it was
a um a candidate.
It wasn't a major.
Um, it was um 25,000 people, asmaller uh expo, and it was bad
as well.
Um but this year I I they did agreat job uh in terms of uh all
(47:01):
the the race and all what theycreate.
And I felt uh that it was amajor.
Um many runners, uhinternational runners, as um you
were you were part of our group,so you you uh you are a good
testimony of of what the raceand what um the event uh what we
(47:24):
do with our runners.
Um they have to improve the expoa little bit.
Um we we didn't we didn't have ahard time.
We we take our runners in in ourprivate bus on Friday.
I I know I knew that on Thursdayit was the it was the first when
when they opened the expo, theyhave a really hard time, I
(47:47):
believe that trying to find outhow to do it.
Uh but that that uh on on Fridayit was much, much better.
We can get into the expo veryquick, it was well organized.
We get we got our bits.
We spent like an hour and a halfin the expo, and most of our
runners they found uh merge.
(48:10):
They bought the jackets, so uhit wasn't that full, so it was
pretty good.
We arrive at four, like 4:30p.m.
We like to we don't we we likewe prefer to go in the afternoon
than the morning, in themorning, and so you're not
having to deal with thecraziness, yeah.
It's it's too crowd.
So we what we do is we do our uhuh city uh like a sizing tour
(48:34):
and then we stop in the expo.
Um, but it it was very good forus to do that.
SPEAKER_00 (48:41):
Yeah, so exactly that, Victor.
I didn't feel like I saw all thesocial media posts about how
horrible the expo was.
I didn't think it was horriblebecause again, um the Friday
going on Friday versus Thursday,it felt like it was a night and
day different experience.
Do I think that there needs tobe better organization, even
little things like how they cueup the lines?
Yes.
(49:01):
Are they still a very brand newmajor?
Yes.
Do we have to give a little bitof allowance for the fact that
there's gonna be some learningexperiences?
Absolutely.
I mean, goodness gracious, Istill learn something every
single time I go out for a runor anything that we try to do.
So there I do believe that itwill improve, but I do
appreciate how you helped us tonavigate that aspect and
(49:24):
minimize the headaches that Ithink a lot of other runners
experience.
There was plenty of merch, um,there's plenty of still a race
day experience or expoexperiences that I wanted to do
when we went.
So had no difficulty with that.
I love so if we're folks thatare maybe more introverted,
there seems to be a concernwhere if I go with a tour group,
I'm not gonna know anyone, or ifI don't know anyone, um, I don't
(49:47):
want to have to do all thesethings.
And I want to just right out ofthe gate stress that that is not
how Victor rolls.
He makes it where I call it kindof almost a buffet style, like
Disney, like take as much as youcare.
There is an experience foreveryone on his itinerary, and
it's take as much, come andparticipate as much as you would
like or not as like, or kind ofgo with the flow of it.
(50:09):
Um, but definitely Victor andhis crew and his team do make
everyone feel very welcomed.
I love the fact that you guyseven somehow figured out how to
navigate, getting all thedifferent starting groups to the
start line, because I think thatwas a little child.
I would I would assume that'd bechallenging for people to be
able to navigate, and you madesure that that happened as well.
SPEAKER_04 (50:30):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
We we try we try to make it easyfor all um the runners in our
group.
Um, we try to um um connect,make make like a group um to
connect, to make a community, tothey connect each other, yeah,
they can make friends.
We we organize activities so youcan participate if you want to.
(50:56):
If not, you can do it on yourown.
But all the activities are uhorganized for uh in in a moment
that I I know that will helpyou.
For example, a shakeout run is agood moment and a good time to
do it.
Um the time to go to the expo,you are not in touch.
(51:16):
You you can take your breakfastand then you can come in the
bus.
I always recommend not to go onThursday.
I I what I recommend is uh isyou get to the hotel, stay
relaxed, go out, enjoy the city,and wait for us that we will
take with in a private bus.
You will get your bid, and thetime is like organized so you
(51:39):
can um take advantage of theweek.
Uh and you are you are not inbrutch.
We have a like uh we have ourour cruise at at evening after
after the expo, and you havelike three hours to do whatever
you want, and we go by walk.
The location of our hotel is isI think is one of the best
(52:02):
locations in C.
SPEAKER_00 (52:03):
Exceptional, it's exceptional.
It would have literally been theexact hotel that I would have
chosen on my own, without adoubt.
If I could have gotten areservation there, I should say,
because again, they all bookout.
Um yeah, absolutely exceptionalbecause it was you put us in the
middle of everything, it was atthe finish line, very easy
logistically to get to the startline.
Um, I think that if you on yourown are trying to create an
(52:25):
itinerary, thinking of, I wantto make this as good as I can of
an experience of both touringthe area and being prepared for
my race.
That's exactly the way that Iwould say that you set up the
itinerary because it's stuffthat while you're able to get in
some circulation, you're able toget in some movement, you're not
like over tiring your legs,you're not necessarily over
(52:46):
stretching anything, you'reallowing for a lot of time for
downtime for people to relax andget into the group so they can
rest up and be ready for raceday.
Um, so fantastic with theitinerary.
By the way, your swag, maybesome of my favorite swag that
I've ever had in that backpackhas now gone to hiking with me
in Milford Sound.
It went to the Aroki NationalPark in New Zealand.
(53:08):
I just took it on my Ragnar.
So thank you so much for the funswag because I did not expect
that much fun.
Um, it was it was a fantasticswag back.
So thank you.
My friend, I want to talk aboutShanghai and um and of course
Cape Town, but I do know that weare kind of needing to wrap this
up.
(53:29):
So let me ask you really quick,how can people get a hold of you
if they are thinking that theywant to do Cape Town, which we
know, right?
Let's be honest, it's gonna be amajor next year, isn't it?
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_04 (53:40):
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yeah, it's gonna be a major.
Yeah, that that's it's a major.
We are just waiting for theannouncement, but it's it's a
hundred percent.
It's a hundred percent.
SPEAKER_00 (53:50):
So you may as well look into if you're already
thinking if you have your six,your seven stars and you know
that Cape Town's gonna happen,don't wait for that lottery.
Just go ahead and make yourdeposit because it's I mean,
there's just no, there's noreason.
If it means a lot to you to havethe stars as soon as they come
out, just go ahead and do that.
Victor already has that uh tourpackage available.
(54:11):
I definitely would highlysuggest that.
What do you think aboutShanghai?
SPEAKER_04 (54:16):
Shanghai is gonna be a mayor as well.
SPEAKER_00 (54:18):
Okay.
SPEAKER_04 (54:18):
Uh, it's gonna be a mayor.
That's that's for sure.
Actually, we will be in inShanghai this year.
Uh, on November, we have ameeting there with other tour
operators and with organizationjust to get ready for 2027.
Um, that it's gonna be a mayoras well.
Um, they have everything um justwaiting to uh their their moment
(54:44):
that will be next year.
But Shanghai will be a mayor aswell.
We have been working with theorganization.
We have we have um we we havemeetings with with um Shanghai
organization in Sydney, uh inBerlin.
They will be in New York aswell.
Then we will go to Shanghai tomeet them.
Um but they they are in the inthe right track to be a mayor.
SPEAKER_00 (55:07):
So, what I'm gonna suggest, friends, is head to
destinytrisport.com.
I'm gonna have that link inepisode notes.
There you can um click entry,whether you're a US runner or
Latin America, um, because thewebsite is fully bilingual.
From that point, you can look atall the different options.
This is where I actually learnedabout the super halves, was
because of all the informationyou have on the super halves,
(55:29):
which we have to talk about atsome point.
So I have to have you, I have tosqueeze you in between all of
these really important meetingssomehow, my friend, to come
back.
One last question before we goum and officially bid you adieu
so you can catch all thoseimportant things that you need
to do.
You have one last bid that'sbeen given to you, and it's
(55:49):
magical because it's a goldenticket and you can choose to do
any race in the entire world.
What are you using it for?
SPEAKER_04 (55:57):
Um, sorry, well, sorry again, the good question.
SPEAKER_00 (56:00):
One golden ticket, one magical bib that you can use
for any race in the world.
What would you use it for?
SPEAKER_03 (56:08):
Um London.
SPEAKER_00 (56:13):
Okay, my friends, you heard it here.
That is the party.
You have to you have to makethis happen, friends, if you're
thinking about London.
Okay, Victor, I cannot expressenough appreciation for you
taking time to talk to us and togive this much insight to folks.
So we really would love to haveyou back on.
Thank you so much for joiningus, and thank you for helping
runners to really chase thesefinish lines around the globe.
(56:35):
So, friends, if you're listeningright now and your wonder lust
is officially activated andyou're like, I have some bucket
list items I need to check off,you're gonna go to
destinytosport.com, you're gonnafollow them on social, you're
gonna find everything from themajors to the super halves, and
yes, of course, that reallyexciting new Cape Town package
that we talked about.
If you want to hear more aboutVictor and what he has, you
(56:57):
could also sign up for hisnewsletter.
And with that said, Victor,thank you again so much.
SPEAKER_04 (57:02):
Thank you, Christine.
Thank you for for your time.
Thank you for this umopportunity.
Um, and I hope to be with you uhtalking about super half around
this thing.
SPEAKER_00 (57:12):
Yeah, let's do it.
SPEAKER_04 (57:13):
Thank you.
SPEAKER_00 (57:14):
Until next time, friends, remember the world is
full of finish lines waiting foryour footsteps.
So keep moving, keep dreaming,and as always, stride
extraordinary.
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