>Al Dueck is a Canadian runner and a 55 year old resident of Winnipeg. He has taken up running as a way to improve health / wellness and enjoys the activity and travel.

What has been your favorite race/run so far?
The Budapest Half Marathon was a most enjoyable experience as was the Prague Mystic (night) run (the times and locations are close enough that they can be combined easily). As a team of mother, daughter and father, it was our first experience in “running tourism” and we very much enjoyed Budapest. It is a VERY historic city and the running route includes interesting stretches including Andrassy, Heroes Square and even along the Danube past the amazing Parliament. Enjoy the a refreshing time in their internationally recognized natural baths after!

What race would you like to run?
We have entered a small portion of the Great Wall Marathon in China and will be running it in a few days (Al run the GWM on May 18th). We think this is a great way to combine improved personal conditioning and a joy of travel and experiencing other cultures. As we run more for enjoyment than competing, we will continue to try to combine.

Photo by Al Dueck

City road or remote trail?
We enjoy running a mix of both road and trail as they each offer interesting experiences. Winnipeg has some wonderful trails through parks where you can enjoy unique scenery. We have enjoyed a 10K city run in Montreal as well as a backcountry park run in the parks area of northern Ontario.

Crowded major events or quiet local ones?
Both can be enjoyable as the major events bring the excitement of large starting line activities and a cheering crowd at the finish line and sometimes this is what keeps the drive to keep active and running. However, some of the most enjoyable times can be a quiet run through a park or down the ocean front pathway on Hvar Island in Croatia as a family!

One more reason to go running?
Meeting people and enjoying new experiences. A good business friend and LONG time international marathon runner introduced me to running while on a business trip to Japan. We had a memorable experience including his rather “gaudy” red and white Canadian running gear! And, it is always amazing how much distance one covers in training runs and seeing and enjoying unexpected sites at a much slower pace!

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