Experiencing the Paris Olympic Games like high-level athletes during an event, a dream will soon become reality for 40,048 amateur runners who will be able to compete in the Marathon for All, the general public race organized on August 10 in the evening. A unique and festive event to highlight the popular dimension of the Olympics.
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Loïc couldn’t believe it when he opened his email to discover the good news. “ I was on the train, I had just finished a hike in the Nice hinterland. Everything stopped… When I arrived, I reread the email. It was incredible, I didn’t expect to receive the precious sesame. »This 34-year-old mountain guide won the Grail, one of 48,048 bibs for the Marathon for All. Already 35,000 privileged people have been drawn from among the members of the Paris 2024 Club who have managed to obtain 100,000 points since the launch of the initiative in 2019, via sporting challenges.
They have won the right to start on August 10 at 9 p.m. on the same course as the professionals, between the men’s (in the morning) and women’s (the next day) marathons, from the Hôtel de Ville to the Invalides, notably via Versailles. 20,024 cross-country skiers will tread the asphalt over 42,195 km, and as many for a 10 km race starting at 11:30 p.m. The event, with a demanding route with a positive altitude difference of 438 m and sections at 13.5%, is nevertheless intended to be festive above all, with light tunnels and encouragement zones throughout the course. If each competitor is well timed, there will be no medals.
Runners from 110 countries
“ There was incredible enthusiasm “, notes Tony Estanguet, the president of the organizing committee, for whom this marathon fit naturally into the project of the 2024 Olympic Games. “ It was truly in the DNA of Paris 2024 to offer an unforgettable experience in a setting that is just as unforgettable, with a commitment to parity. We had identified, from the beginning, this way of celebrating sport, by showing that this global event would also make those who do less sport want to participate in something motivating. “.
The bet won beyond expectations: in total, 400,000 people tried to obtain a bib. The lucky ones will come from 110 countries (but more than 80% are French). The youngest is 20, the oldest is 85, and a quarter of them have never run a marathon in their life. For people with disabilities, adapted training plans and personalized monitoring will be offered, whether for the presence of a companion or the use of personal equipment.
For those unlucky in the draw, all hope is not yet lost. A thousand bibs remain available to the general public, but you will have to go through the commercial partner of this Marathon for All. Finally, there will remain the possibility of participating in the connected version via one of the two official applications.
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