This weekend, tens of thousands of runners—and even more spectators—will take to the streets for the ING New York City Marathon. Commandeering most of the metropolis for eight-and-a-half hours, the runners will navigate a course that takes them through all five boroughs. For natives and newcomers alike, it can be a great way to see the city. In fact, one of our own will be lacing up her running shoes this weekend in what will be her first marathon. Be sure to wish her luck! Another Gnome employee, John Whitfield, is making a bid for the finish, too. Check out his blog and leave him some words of encouragement!

In fact, running can be a comprehensive and healthy way to see any city. For the dedicated—or just plain crazy—you can choose from a wide array of marathons around the world, from the Berlin Wall to the Great Wall. Personally, I got to know San Francisco better than ever through its grueling route, and also Buffalo over its much flatter course.

Really, why hop on and off a bus, limited to the traffic of a city, when you can have a guided tour and get your daily exercise? Companies such as City Running Tours, with guides in Chicago, New York, San Diego, and DC, can take you around all the requisite landmarks at a pace and distance that you can manage. If you’re a runner and, like me, get a little stir crazy when you travel and can’t exercise, taking a running tour not only lets you stretch your legs, but gives you a better feel for the city than sitting on a double-decker and listening to the same jokes from the tour guide. Besides, most museums won’t care if you’re a little sweaty when you enter. For more West Coast cardio, American Running Guides can take you around a few cities, including Seattle and San Francisco. I’m not sure if the company’s acronym, ARG, is meant to sound like an agonized cry of pain, but “aarrgh!” is definitely something uttered by distance runners the world over.

Running is not for everyone, and I don’t blame people who hate it. It’s uncomfortable and can be time-consuming. For those who hate to pound the pavement, there are lower-impact alternatives. This summer, Paris welcomed the Vélib to its streets. A fantastic way to see the City of Lights, get a workout, and stay green, Vélibs are bikes on a pay-per-day or subscription basis, located at stations across Paris. Not to be outdone, Rome has bought into environmental and personal health and added bike lanes—perhaps to cut down on pollution and the resulting discoloration of its ancient monuments—and has plenty of bike shops renting cycles. However, if you’re ready for a challenge, and want an excuse to travel, see a city, and pamper yourself afterward, sign up for a marathon. And, this weekend, if you find yourself amongst a shorts-clad group of people who seem to be in a hurry, cheer them on! Good luck Genevieve and John!