Glory and Suffering in the Marathon des Alpes Maritimes

Presentation at the Village

The 7th edition of the Marathon des Alpes Maritimes saw 14,000 competitors set off on the iconic Promenade des Anglais with the aim of rallying La Croisette in Cannes in record time.

No lie-in on this Sunday, November 9! Each had to be early on track as the 08:00 am departure required to include the transport time (train, bus or carpool) to reach the starting line. The bravest indulged in a warm-up session to cope with the course of 42,195 kilometers. Despite the unfavorable weather forecast, the start of the Marathon des Alpes Maritimes was given under a bright sunshine.

Higher and further

Everyone wanted to meet the challenge of the 42-kilometer demanding distance, and if possible, surpass themselves to beat their best time of the year, built on a long preparation and much suffering in view of the D day.

A race for each

As soon as the race started, the runners set off en masse along the Promenade des Anglais and the Big Blue, lined with palm trees. Some, very focused on the stopwatch and the race, weren’t in the frame of mind for lingering on the landscape. Others, finding the views picturesque, looked at the brighter side of the race. Finally, those who would not leave their groups or their cronies, took things easy while happily chatting, according to the slogan “united for better or worse.”

A rainy arrival

After following the meandering path that took the racers successively along the cities of the French Riviera coast, Saint Laurent du Var, Cagnes sur Mer, Villeneuve Loubet, Antibes Juan les Pins, Golfe Juan, the weather turned bad. After loosing runners over time and the route, mostly in Antibes as some only run a half marathon, a heavy sky and light rain accompanied the stretched lines of the survivors of hell until the final destination and delivery for the bravest.

Cheers for the finish

Hailu Shumi’s arrival

When the domes of the Carlton Hotel in Cannes were the focal point of the finish line, the sound system shouted , “Come on, only 200 meters left… 100 meters!” Finally, after passing the Pompoms Girls and the Caisse d’Epargne Teddy Bear, the famous finish line was a few steps away.
“Come on, just another small effort!” their inner flame told them. A superhuman effort for many, before crossing the line in the pouring rain and stop the clock, body dripping with sweat, shaking with nervous spasms, the face contracted in a rictus of pain. The Ethiopian and Kenyan rabbits had arrived a long time ago…

The winners

The Ethiopian Hailu Shumi and Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum were at the front up to the 30th km. Hailu Shumi then quickened his pace on the 35th, achieving a better performance in the second part of the course to pick up the first place in 2h09’27. His victory confirmed his ambitions before the race as he had said: “I’m here to win today”. Shumi already had under his belt a second place in the 2011 edition and a third place in 2010.
The Kenyan Barnabas Kiptum stepped onto the second step of the podium in 2h10’29” ahead of his compatriot Edwin Kemboi in 2h10’39”. The first French, Alexis Monaci, ends in 2h33’25” in 11th place of the overall classification.
Among women, the Kenyan Rose Cepchumba finished on the first step of the podium in 2h33’52” ahead of her compatriot Emily Rotich and the Ethiopian Abdi Tigisit. The first French and regional runner, Ingrid Lopergolo, finished 8th in the scratch ranking in 3h00’06”.

The Mayor of Cannes and Vice President of the General Council of the Alpes-Maritimes, David Lisnard ends in 3h02’54.”The MP-Mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, with the bib No. 06, ends in 4h04’14”.

The Marathon des Alpes Maritimes in figures

6,821 participants completed the 42,195 km individual event. 447 teams finished the relay race, 1114 teams finished the race in duo.
The Village Running Expo which was held from Thursday to Saturday night on the Promenade des Anglais was a great success with over 45,000 registered visitors.

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