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TALLINN MARATHONESTONIADave Major takes his wife for aninteresting run beside the seaWhen you first startrunning marathonsabroad most runnerslook to tick off the bigcapital cities such as Paris, Berlin orAmsterdam. If you want somethingdifferent but without the need for a visaor inoculations that’s not too far awaythink Tallinn. It’s situated in the BalticState of Estonia and neighbours Latviaand Russia. And it’s very well known for‘Stag’ weekends!Stag do centralIn fact, as we board our flight fromLondon direct to Tallinn, the first groupof Stags, twenty strong and very lively,became apparent. All were wellbehaved but clearly just warming upand they were anxious for the barservice to commence on the three hourplus flight.For the next two hours, the flight crewcontinually served beers, then whenthese ran out spirits and finally wineuntil all alcohol stocks were exhausted.With last orders in the sky being calledand another round waiting to bepurchased, a cry of disappointment washeard coupled with a cheer of approval,as the flight crew announced that: “Thebar has been drunk dry!”On landing, the partygoers and therest of the passengers soon migratedthrough the compact but modernterminal and within 10 minutes our taxihad us at our hotel. Situated in the oldtown, the hotels are typically moreexpensive than the city centre ofTallinn, though in comparison to othercapital cities, still very good value.A short walk from our hotel and we arein the main square. Tallinn main squareis very similar to Bruges with pavementcafés and restaurants around theperimeter. Behind the square standingtall is St Olav’s Church, which was oncethe tallest building in the world.Despite these being the peak touristareas with no doubt inflated prices themenus still look reasonably priced.With the euro now the official currencyin Estonia there are no awkwardcalculations to be made either.Formalities sortedSaturday we head for Freedom Squarefor the race registration. The expotakes over this main area, whichtomorrow will be the finish line.Registration is quick and easy and withno need to walk around stands to exit,we soon complete the formalities. Alarge marquee was situated adjacentselling everything a runner may needif required.So with race number in hand all thatis left is to locate the start line, whichis only a few hundred metres away.Tomorrow despite a 0900 start, thanksto our hotel proximity we have noneed to take baggage and literallycan leave for the start line about 10minutes before.The rest of the day is spentsightseeing around the Old Town andbumping into the odd hung-over butwell-behaved ‘staggie’s’. Numbers inthe main tourist areas are swelledsignificantly during the day by cruiseships stopping off as part of aScandinavian or Baltic tour. Despite thecrowds, Tallinn has restaurants galoreand any concerns about eating thenight before the race is eliminated. Thefood available is typically varied, asyou would expect. With meat being afundamental part of the Estonian diet,34 www.runningfreemag.co.uk