About
We fly race courses, so you know them before race day.
BeforeTheRun makes narrated 3D flyovers of running races. You watch the course on your phone before race day: every hill, turn and water point, the race-morning wind and the stories along the way. It's free for runners.
Where the routes come from
We start with the race's official route: the organiser's GPX file, route link or course map. If this year's route isn't published, we use the latest official course or public race-day GPS tracks. Most tours name their route source in the credits. Treat a tour as a close guide and always check the official race information, because details can change.
How the tours are made
We write each script from official race information and local history. The narration uses AI voices and the music is AI-generated. Heights come from open terrain data, the imagery from Esri and the photos from credited photographers.
Independent previews
BeforeTheRun isn't affiliated with the race organisers. Some race directors send us their routes and see their race's visitor numbers, but the organisers' official information always comes first.
Who makes it
BeforeTheRun is made in Cape Town by Rizaan Lakay. Email rizaan@beforetherun.com, or find Rizaan on Instagram and LinkedIn. We also fly golf courses and F1 circuits.
Common questions
Is it free?
Yes. Watching a tour is free and needs no account. Race-week alerts are free too, and need an email address.
Do I need an app?
No. Tours open in the browser on any phone, tablet or laptop. You can add BeforeTheRun to your home screen if you want to.
Which races do you cover?
Races in South Africa and around the world, including the Winelands Marathon, the Two Oceans Marathon, the New York City Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon. See the upcoming races and the archive.
How do I add my race?
Send us your route and race-day details. We usually build the preview within a week.