It has been said that the challenge of climate-change is akin to running a marathon that comprises of some 40-odd kilometres in very varied and somewhat uncharted terrain. We may reflect over the task ahead as that of a 40-year race that hopefully we will have successfully completed by roughly the year 2040. However it is going to be a long haul and we will need to pace our efforts accordingly.

The following is some lighter relief from our fictive correspondent describing developments in the race at the half-marathon stage. Before reading on, grab a cup of coffee and then have a relaxed 10-min well aware of the fact that the participants are all out there preparing to sweat through the course.

A future correspondent (ca. 2020) – "Even now looking back to the start of this race, we note that the largely unassuming participants were already under starters’ orders for the couple of years immediately after the race organisers had signed the Kyoto Protocol in Dec 1997.

Despite considerable pre-race coverage in the media, the large part of would-be participants were all too focussed on more pressing issues. The majority of them had noted that there might possibly be a race starting, but they thought not before year 2008; and there was still a real chance of cancellation or at least postponement, together with ample time for preparation if the worst was to occur.

However by year 2000 there was a definite, albeit uneasy, stretching and warming-up of flabby corporate limbs in order to accommodate for CO2 and GHG’s—especially at the CEO-level of certain companies. This evidently provided them with some positive media coverage and good photo opportunities!

The starting gun was apparently fired around the time of the millennium celebrations. Although with fireworks all around, the starters’ dud cartridge only resulted in a click audible to those few participants immediately adjacent to the starting line. Understandably the large majority of runners were unaware that anything at all had actually transpired.

Despite moving off slowly, the leading group was initially surprised by the apparent lack of response from the main pack behind. Further uncertainty arose due to the uncoordinated behaviour of the race stewards who were also evidently caught somewhat unaware regarding the course, route, signposts, rules, timekeeping and practical arrangements for the participating runners. Stewards even erroneously put up misleading markings that resulted in some participants being diverted in the wrong direction and thus loosing ground to the race leaders. This resulted in a lot of hot air, however the situation was eventually resolved so that the main pack was not led astray. No one however yet had any clue as to where the finish line was located!

The initial five kilometres were dominated by thick morning mist so that very few (if any) could see what was really going on. Rumours flourished regarding whether this really was the marathon, who were the other participants, and some where even questioning why were they all running. These issues were openly discussed among the participants, and remained essentially unresolved for the first 8 – 10 kilometres.

Also it was only after a couple of kilometres (in the latter part of 2002) that it became evident that the race was still on, despite the apparent non-participation of a world class runner! Earlier, the news that this runner had withdrawn had also incited rumours that the start of the race had been moved to the 8 or even 12 kilometre markers. However several other major participant had prepared, and the organisers decided to continue as originally planned.

Evidently there was some jostling between runners and stewards at the 3 – 5 kilometre stage. But also a growing awareness (and common consensus) for the fact that everyone needed to work together and construct a commercial forum within which the whole race could evolve—sponsors and stakeholders were needed to finance the jamboree!

Needless to say the organisers had planned very little detail regarding commercial implementation and total life-cycle costs before the race started. Some even stated that the main motivation for organising this marathon had been based on urgings from the International Press Chamber of Commerce who needed a major event providing guaranteed income to their members when other media activities were low.

Inevitably like in all such races, there are always those participants who sprint at the start. More due to being over-enthusiastic rather than over-energetic if you ask this correspondent. Such irrational behaviour was evident at the start of this race too. Nonetheless by the five-kilometre mark we could observe that certain runners were grouping together and settling down to a uniform pace. The course stewards too were more clearly marking up the route and indicating some early milestones, together with expected lead performance prognosis for those running against the clock.

The 5 to 8 kilometre stage was dominated by considerable discourse between the participants and the organisers. By now certain runners were looking a bit flabby, developing blisters, and no doubt wishing that they had removed a few excess pounds before starting. Some were actively urging stewards to re-route over some flatter woodland areas. Furthermore others were even suggesting allowing the use of four-wheel drive wheelchairs and the possibility for stretcher-bearers to accompany them. Much to the irritation of the race leaders—who were already starting to pull ahead—some of these requests were permitted.

However there were also clearer guidelines emerging from the organisers as the leaders approached the Kyoto-I hill. Largely unnoticed, smaller groups with inconspicuous networks were also pacing themselves for this first steep incline from 8 to 12 kilometres.

Exactly how the runners tackled this first genuine test surprised many of the observers. Punters rapidly revised their odds and new favourites emerged with improved equipment. These were also evidently best equipped to tackle the more demanding part of the course from 13 to 20 kilometres through the Kyoto-II Alps.

Some of the participants had been discussing beforehand with the organisers whether the race might be re-routed around these Alps, however the organisers eventually insisted that this would be incompatible with the location of the final stadium that was now under construction at the 42 kilometre mark. But surprisingly (!) for many participants this phase of the race from 12 to 20 kilometres was considerably tougher than the organisers had indicated earlier.

Noticeably the missing world-class runner now joined the leaders unexpectedly from a side road. Although looking somewhat overweight he did actually help to set the pace in a sensible manner. Furthermore the size of the pack increased by more than 70-odd runners from all around the world.

Also before the half-marathon stage, there was confirmation regarding the positive benefits for participants including: improved circulation and respiration, reduced flab, development of new equipment, improved business perception, less waste and a cleaner respiratory system—some had even stopped smoking! The concerns of another organisation, the ipcc.ch were also surprisingly well addressed through organising this specific marathon.

We note that the second half appears to be dominated by many adopting high tech footwear and the organisers setting up newer alternative feeding stations. More of this later."

(Published 2002, to be updated soon!)