Bodrum Global Run

Jake and I were on hand in 2014 to see the 1st Bodrum Global Run and this morning we were out and about to see the 3rd one.  There appeared to be many more runners today than the first year, but this may be down to a curtailed route which stopped short at the Main Square rather than going on to the Marina, so the runners were more packed together.

I don't run but am happy to distract those that do. Barry Dawber and Julia Power from Turkey's For Life blog and website were competing today, but I only managed to catch Barry on film.

Şafak Yılmaz Bayliss was also easy to get a wave from as she effortlessly jogged by, but as an organiser of Bodrum Hash House Harriers, a group that advertise themselves as 'drinkers with a running problem' I expect nothing less.

I only saw one canine competitor, but the local street dogs were keen to join in with the action, except they hadn't grasped the concept of running with the entrants and seemed more focussed on adding a few obstacles to the race.

Jake just barked, more in panic than support, so he didn't get his photo taken. 

Traffic-free Streets

Twice this week, Bodrum's streets have been peaceful.  Jake and I have enjoyed taking our morning walk down the middle of the road, unbothered by car horns.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if traffic could be excluded from the centre for a few hours every day, not just in the run-up to international sporting events. 

Sunday saw Bodrum host it's first Global Run. Competitors ran three laps around Bodrum, starting at the cruise liner port and looping back at the marina.  On a dull, pre-storm Sunday,  there weren't many people out watching, but over 1000 runners were on the streets. 

The race followed our afternoon dog-walking route.  I now know that we cover 5 kms .

The 6th stage of the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey started at 11:30 in the main square today, but the roads were closed early so Jake and I again had a pleasant wander before the riders arrived. 

All information about this year's race is on the http://www.tourofturkey.org/ website.

I wrote about the race last year in Bikes in Bodrum. This year I found a much better spot to watch the start but had to defend myself against the sharp elbows of the "professional" photographers who swung in at the last minute with long lenses flying.  

Even professional sportsmen take time out for a holiday snap. 

The start.