G’day folks. As I may have mentioned once or twice, I’m running upside down with my new friend Skippy at the moment in Australia where all this cultural stereotyping is going down a treat. If you, like me, want to combine running with a spot of travelling, check out these races. They’re top of my list of global races that I’d most like to cross the finish line of.

1 Big Sur Marathon
If you’ve seen pictures of the Big Sur in California, you’ll know why Bart Yasso said: “If we were told that we could only run one marathon in our lifetime, Big Sur would have to be it.” That’s me there at the Big Sur when I drove through it on a roadtrip a few years back before I became a marathoner. I’ve always wanted to return and see that coastline at a slower pace – how better than to run it?

2 Boston Marathon
Maybe it’s because it’s the world’s oldest annual marathon, maybe it’s because it’s where women broke ground to be entitled to run the marathon distance, or maybe it’s because in order to even make the start line you have to train hard, set a good time in another marathon and make the qualifying time for Boston. For a woman of my age grouping, I’d have to run a 3.40 marathon in order to qualify for Boston. It will take time, but I’ll get there.

3 Le Marathon du Medoc
Run in the south of France through vineyards, at this marathon you won’t be handed isotonic sports drinks but a glass of wine instead. It’s not a race to do to set a good time (so now Boston Qualifying time up for grabs here) but for the atmosphere. Oh and the strong element of fancy dress. Who doesn’t love fancy dress and wine?

4 Venice Marathon
The need for carbs before a marathon means you have to, for at least once in your life, try a race in the country that has the best carbs in the world. There’s nowhere I’d rather spend a couple of days carb loading than in Italy and in 2012 I’ll be doing just that as I prepare for the Venice Marathon. Don’t let the 14 bridges put you off, word has it this is a flat course with stunning scenery.

5 London Marathon
Oh London, my adopted home town, why do you spurn me so? You know it makes me want you all the more. I’ve had a turbulent relationship with the London Marathons. Despite four rejections I keep coming back for more, only to be turned away. But it’s the city I live in, the city I love and my earliest memories of a marathon were of getting up every April morning to try and spot my uncle and his bright yellow vest on the TV as he ran the London Marathon. I know there are other marathons, I’ve run other marathons but every year when I turn out to cheer on the runners in the London Marathon I want to be the other side of the curb running through my city. There are other ways to get a place in London. A good for age time of 3.45 should get me in one day, until then I’ll keep being it’s most enthusiastic spectator.