The 47th edition of the Paris marathon takes place in the streets of the French capital this Sunday, April 7, 2024. More than 50,000 amateur runners will set off, with one and the same objective: crossing the finish line after 42 kilometers of intense effort. Among these brave adventurers, a group of friends and members of the same running club in Bussy-Saint-Georges, in the east of Paris, are no longer at their first attempt. Dozens of marathons run between the five of them, all with a particularity: one of them has been blind for more than 20 years. This did not prevent these friends from continuing to fully live their passion, despite the obstacles. This year, more than others, the message sent is strong.
Despite a strong westerly wind and occasional rain, nothing could prevent Patrick and his friends from coming to revise their ranges near the two lakes of Bussy-Saint-Georges. The warm-up is very classic: interval running to increase the heart rate, interspersed with very specific exercises to avoid injury, a few hours before the Paris marathon. If their completely normal appearance for a marathon runner is not surprising, it is difficult to believe that among the five runners of the day, one wears dark glasses… because he is blind, guided by two friends thanks to a string.
“It was Patrick who guided me”
In his sixties, Patrick still has a slender physique, recognizable among experienced runners. Running no longer holds any secrets for him: “ I’ve been running for about forty years. I ran alone until 2002. I suffer from a degenerative vision disease which has led me to total blindness today. », explains Patrick, standing around the lake. “ This is my 15th Paris marathon. We are very happy to share the adventure with my friend Ghislain who will guide me for the first time on such a race. I hope we will have a lot of fun », admits the main interested party, leaning against his partner.
This will be a first as a guide for the runner of Reunion origin, who admits to having had a little pressure during the first training sessions: “ He trusted me from the first outing. I was surprised because he took me to particular places, with obstacles in the way. It was he who finally guided me », blurts Ghislain. He adds : “ There are a certain number of people with disabilities who would like to play sport, and through what we do there, we can help them too. Being blind doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass and do nothing. We have to go beyond that. »
“I discovered things that I would probably never have known if I were able-bodied”
The Paris marathon is only the first step in a human adventure which will take the group of friends to the Olympic Games in the capital this summer. The result is a night race with 20,000 other amateur runners. The marathon for All will be an opportunity to form a duo again. Patrick will find his friend Hervé as a guide, to complete the loop: “ I was Patrick’s first guide in 2002, that was a long time ago. It’s symbolic to meet again, because we are at the end of our career, we don’t have many races left to do », quips Hervé, hair blowing in the wind.
“ The goal is to have fun during the Games, join in the fun and run as long as possible together. », Announces Patrick under the amused gaze of one of his comrades. Véronique, also a fan of long runs, says: “ Knowing them, they will run together and I will be behind! » « My marathon nickname? Miss Turtle [Madame Tortue, NDLR], I like to take my time and I take responsibility! », admits the fifty-year-old runner, cap screwed on her head and a big smile on her lips.
Enjoy yes, but don’t think that the five adventurers don’t have high sporting goals: less than 4h10 ten in the Paris marathon, the same in the marathon for All even if the course is different, explains Hervé, who well prepared. “ There are several hills, notably at Versailles, with a lot of difference in altitude. It won’t be an easy marathon, we’ll do what we can, but on paper, it’s four hours! “, he insists.
“The string creates links, it will be strong in Paris”
Patrick’s blindness will not have dampened the enthusiasm and ardor of his club partners. Better yet, the sixty-year-old runner has never benefited so much from his passion in recent years: “ It’s my passion, I’ve always run. Being visually impaired has made me discover things that I would certainly never have known if I were able-bodied. Including going on big errands with friends. We get caught up in challenges », says the runner. He pursues : “ I wouldn’t have done 100 kilometer runs if I hadn’t gone blind. So, if games give a boost, it will be won. »
The training hour is over and the paths must separate. Some return to their workplace. The others, like Patrick, return home warm and running. Until the end, racing will be part of their lives, disability or not, Patrick concludes firmly, before speeding away: “ The string creates links, it will be strong in Paris. He no longer has a disability in fact. When you drink a beer, you drink a beer. Upon arrival, we hope to all celebrate together. »