Running, away from home

It started with a gloomy morning leg stretch along Margate's harbour wall and promenade. Then it graduated to warmer climes with a sunrise sight-seeing 5k along the wine cellar studded banks of Porto's river Douro. Now, factoring space in my case for trainers and kit and scanning Strava for potential routes has become as central to travel planning as an up-to-date passport.

Running away from home might be one of my favourite things. Along with the well-being power-up, seeing a new place at pace is one of the best ways to explore. If your chosen location is warm, rising early brings more crowd and heat-beating advantages. Adding exercise to your holiday can ease any guilt triggered by excess cheese and wine consumption, too.

I recently laced up my trainers to tackle a trio of Greek islands. Poros, Hydra, and Spetses belong to the Saronic group of islands and are a short ferry crossing from the Athens port of Piraeus. Each has a distinct landscape and feel, translating to unique challenges and rewards when running.

Living in a landlocked part of the UK, I don't often see the sea, so although the three islands had an excellent choice of both, we picked water-lined rather than inland routes.

Poros

"The rustic one"

Route found via: Strava

Distance: 5km

Starting and ending alongside the umbrella-studded sandy sliver that is Askeli Beach, this was an exhilarating loop around a corner of this wild and rustic isle. We reached Poros town within five minutes on the sleepy main road, passing the still snoozing strip of tavernas and nodding good mornings to boat folk emerging onto decks for breakfast. Leaving the watercraft-packed strait behind in a few short strides, we climbed a challenging slope wrapped around a wildflower-sprigged headland with panoramas stretching to neighbouring islands. With the sea to our side throughout, we inhaled lungfuls of pine-scented air and absorbed eye-popping views on our way back down to Askeli. The neatly closed loop this run generated on my Strava route map satisfied my perfectionist tendencies wonderfully. Poros' rugged terrain makes it a popular hiking spot, so make tracks inland for a more demanding challenge.

Hydra

"The arty one"

Route found via: a basic tourist map.

Distance: 5.5km

With a horseshoe-shaped harbour, a tangle of alleyways, and stunning sunsets - Hydra is blessed in the aesthetic stakes. It's long been adored by artists, musicians, and bohemians, and it's easy to see why. An absence of cars could lead you to label Hydra a runner's paradise, but its slippery cobbled promenade, uneven stone steps, potholed gravel paths, and sea-hugging inclines are better suited to hooves than feet. These challenges, however, come with worthwhile rewards.

Rising early meant witnessing fishing trawlers preparing to go out and catch the contents of restaurant menus. Congregations of cats had also set early alarms to hover on the dock, hoping to be remembered in a shareout of the day's haul.

The harbourside warm-up led into a challenging incline to cannon-lined ramparts before passing under the watchful stare of Greek Commander and revolutionary Admiral Andreas Miaoulis's statue. Dodging potholes along a wide, cracked gravel path, it wasn't long before we felt more eyes on us, this time a golden glare from the sun god Apollo. The mesmeric nine-metre wind-spinner sculpture was created by artist Jeff Koons and, from its cliffside perch, presides over passing runners, donkeys and boats alike.

The path continued to punish and reward with its undulation and unevenness until we deemed the wooden double doors of Mandraki Beach Club the point to turn back towards town and grab a cool drink in the harbour.

Spetses

"The yacht and pines one."

Route found via: a recommendation from our hotel owner - a fellow runner.

Distance: 7km

Spetses is billed as almost vehicle-free, but the swarms of scooters buzzing through the narrow streets make this a misnomer. On advice from our hotel's owner and fellow runner, we rose early and veered away from the old and new harbours to embrace the pine-lined island's true tranquillity. Though it's a glamorous spot favoured by the moneyed yacht crowd, there's much to say about dry land and simple pleasures on Spetses. Our sea-front route was one—bursts of shocking pink bougainvillaea, a selection of rogue chickens and goats crossing our path, tiny tucked-away churches, secluded beaches and welcome shade from tree canopies. The whole island has only a 25km perimeter, so it's doable in one hit if you're feeling wildly energetic. We wrapped our run at the 7km mark, at the end of a jetty, enjoying momentary quiet before the daily schedule of sea transport began.

Where will you take your trainers next?