Urban Junkies | K-Swiss Guide to Free Running

Getting married may be the trend du jour, but having a huge wedding certainly isn't. We say save yourself the ulcer and set yourself free, and elope instead. In our second guide to FREE RUNNING, we bring you our picks of where to elope to, and how to do it. This is our kind of FREE RUNNING.

When we think wedding, we think hassle and expense. We don't need to go through the whys of this statement, but it just seems like our lives are busy and expensive enough as it is... Why have a huge ceremony - i.e., a year of stress and family fights - when you could elope instead? And is it us, or are meringues and matchy matchy wedding parties O-V-E-R?

Should you be on our tip, the below are our picks on where to elope to (not Vegas! Or even NYC, although it's a safe 24-hour turnaround option), and how to do it.

Beach Ceremony: Rarotonga Cook Islands

Why: Untouched beauty: white sandy beaches, Lush green rainforest and volcanic mountains. Rarotonga is a secluded retreat that is rich in culture and not overrun with tourists.

When: March and April just after cyclone season has passed, the skies are likely to be clear and sunny.

Where to stay: Pacific Resort Aitutaki

Location of wedding: Pacific Resort Aitutaki can organize a private beach wedding.

Application lead time: The application for license must be made in person to the Registrar of Marriages in the Cook Islands at least three days prior to the marriage.

Cost: Marriage Licence $50, Marriage Certificate $15, Marriage Waiver Fee (if you wish to be married less than the three days residency requirement) $45 Church minister or priest - a donation a minimum of $80-100. Marriage Celebrant $100. Registrar of the Court free if conducted between 8am and 4pm week days and in the courtroom only. Registrars will conduct the wedding between 4pm & 6pm away from the courtroom for $45.

Contact: Marriage Inquiries, Registrars Department.
Department of Justice and Lands, PO Box 11, Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
offices@justice.gov.ck | www.ck/weddings.htm

City Nuptuals: Argentina, Buenos Aires

Why: It takes two to tango (sorry!) - Argentina home of the Tango and some of the finest steak in the world. Buenos Aires the biggest city in Argentina is a cosmopolitan city bursting with energy and Latin flavour.

When: Winter. It's warm but not too hot.

Where to stay: Faena Hotel + Universe. This is one slick operation.

Location of wedding: La Cathedral Metropolitan Buenos Aires

Application lead-time: 28 days, and you can apply before you get there. The Government of Argentina recognizes only those marriages performed by the Civil Registry. A religious ceremony alone does not constitute a legal marriage in Argentina.

Cost: US$25 for civil registry wedding

Contact: Civil registry
Address: Uruguay 753
Schedules of attention: Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 2:30pm
Tel.: 4373-8441/45
consultas_dgrc@buenosaires.gov.ar | www.registrocivil.gov.ar

Wed 'n' Ski: Verbier, Switzerland

Why: Gorge yourself on cheese, chocolate and wine (you're getting married, time to get fat), bask in the scenery and take in the top Euro eye candy.

When: Winter of course.

Where to stay: For the Design Duo: The Omnia, Zermatt. It's a slick mountain lodge with a modern interpretation of the alpine surroundings. It's modern, spacious and luxurious.
For the Traditionalist: Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, Zermatt. Stood upright by a mountain peak, it is a traditional grand hotel, with a rich history, amazing views, service and style.

Location of wedding: "The Chapel of Le Hameau". Situated in the Hamlet of Verbier, the chapel was built by Pierre Dorsaz in 1985.

Application lead time: Apply to get married from abroad, contact below site for help. Once you have approval it is valid for six months. Post wedding, it then takes two to five weeks to process all documentation and paperwork, as all foreign documents presented in Switzerland must be translated into French, Italian or German. You do not need to stay in the country while this is being done. Contact: www.myweddinginswitzerland.com

Cost: Civil Marriage starts at £2,278. All prices include assistance with legal paperwork and documents, translations, and marriage license. Additional costs for larger ceremonies and reception requirements.

K-Swiss Go Over Under Through

The K-Swiss Ariake is the first shoe specifically designed for freerunning. Should you be a freerunner already, or interested in learning more, check out the K-Swiss microsite featuring illustrated city maps highlighting freerunning hotspots. www.overunderthrough.co.uk

And should you think yourself pretty pro, upload photos of yourself freerunning, and enter to win an all-expensespaid training trip to Lisses near Paris, the birthplace of freerunning. Sweet.