Well I don’t know what it is that motivates me to run 55km at midnight through forest mostly alone unless I can find like-minded eccentrics to accompany me but I think it’s a number of things.
Running through dark eery forest with just the mist you breathe out reflected in the light of your headlamp, the smell of frosty, leafy forest, the complete absence of traffic and noise and that remoteness you experience in situations like these are just a few.
Afterall the Paris Mantes is not a well known event internationally, not even locally but every year about 4000 people take part.
The idea started in 1935 when 3 French rail employees who cycled in their free time decided running might be more enjoyable than a long cycle ride against wind and in the rain. Albert Dampeyrou (Bébert to his friends) organized the first official event the same year. – 17 participants including a lady!!!!!
The start is in front of the
The event starts with a steady climb from
This year most of my running friends chickened out when they saw the weather forecast but I managed to find two Frenchies, old running mates who agreed to run with me. Carbo-loading before in a local Trattoria ( the French like their pre-race and post-race food). Then Alain, Jean-Frédéric and myself set off for the start. A little bit of red lipstick – don’t want to be looking like a zombie at 3am at the checkpoint! A last-minute kit check- post-race bags to Béatrice who is Alain’s wife and also the lift back to
Off I go with my 2 frogs although I’ve stopped believing in fairytales for longer than I care to remember! Only this year temperatures dropped to
Béatrice was waiting with our kit and drove us back to
Any volunteers for 2011?
