Les Sables-d’Olonne Vendée. 31st edition of the International Half-Marathon: its assets attract competitors
A route largely along the sea! There can’t be many of them in the world.
And the organizers know well that this is one of the main assets of this race.
The effort is undoubtedly mitigated by the visual pleasure and the sea breeze…
This is reflected in the participant statistics. For this 31st edition, it was not necessary to wait until the last days to close registrations. For several months, everything has been completed.
There are 4,500 registered for the total number of events, including 2,600 for the Half-Marathon. (there were 2,300 in 2023). The latecomers must be content to draw plans on the comet to…. the edition of June 7 and 8, 2025.
And, this attraction has existed since the first edition, since from this first organization the route in two loops (sometimes three) already passed by the seaside.
Beyond this aspect, the organization is well established and can count on numerous volunteers (400), strong partners (Leclerc, B&B: 35 hotel rooms at preferential cost, Cybèle Vacances campsite: 25 mobile homes made available free of charge, etc.), and competent first aiders if necessary (Civil Protection: 24 responders).
NEWS
Among the new features, the choice was made to bring forward the start time of the Half-Marathon to 8:00 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m.
The experience of 2023 – with 18° heat in the shade – prompted the organizers to take the lead and move the schedule forward. Vendée is an area where the heat can sometimes be formidable despite its proximity to the sea. In 2023, 41 runners were treated for heatstroke.
Unlike other sand events, it is therefore not a problem of tide but of weather….
But let’s return to the purely sporting aspects.
The start of the half-marathon will be in waves:
– 200 runners at 8:00 a.m.
– then a new wave 30 seconds later etc…
In total, 6 waves will be launched in 4 minutes.
The objective is to reduce the density of groups upon departure.
The races can be followed on large screens.
Video recordings are also made.
The Prices are as follows:
– €700 for the winner
– €300 bonus in the event of a historic record for the event.
EXPECTED ATHLETES
Women’s Half Marathon:
– Nawal Yahi, winner of the 2023 edition in 1h 15′ 18″
– Térésiah Omosa (Kenya), recent winner of the Nancy Half-Marathon; achieved 1h 10′ 29″ in 2023.
– Fatiha Asmid (Morocco): personal best in 1H 10′ 29″
– Agathe Violleau, Vendée, 1h 15′ 34″ in September 2023
Men’s Half Marathon:
– Yohan Durand, 2021 French champion in Sables-d’Olonne in 1H 03′ 17″
– Charik Abderrazak, Vice-champion of France 2021 in Sables-d’Olonne
– Youssef Benhadi (Marseille), 4th in 2023 with a personal best in 1H 01′
– Geoffrey Kipeygo (Kenya), personal best in 1H 01′ 48″
– Bernard Wambua (Kenya), personal best in 1h 01′ 23″
– Adrien Toucas (Aix-en-Provence), Paris Half-Marathon 2023 in 1h 05′ 52″ and Paris Marathon 2023 in 2h 15′ 57″.
THE TESTS
(Preliminary note: the “5 km” has been replaced by a “Mille” or 1.6 km).
The program below is a summary. Only the organization’s program must be taken into account, particularly for multiple starts in the different events.
Practical and official information: https://www.semimarathondesolonnes.fr/
YOUTH / BREATH RACES Saturday May 18, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. Stade de la Rudelière
Around 250 children.
– 4 races for children of 800, 1200, 1600 or 2000 meters (depending on age).
There will be no individual ranking because the objective of these races is educational; it aims to show children the importance of breathing, of respiratory capacities, and through this to prevent them from the harm of tobacco.
THOUSAND (distance of 1609.34 meters) Saturday May 18, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. Avenue Rhine and Danube
– 3 races are organized: disabled sports, women’s and men’s.
Around 50 athletes by invitation.
The event takes place by invitation and will involve around fifty athletes.
The MILLE des Sables-d’Olonne (regional label by the FFA) is a qualifier for the French Championships.
The Mile will be run on a round trip from Avenue Rhin et Danube, from Stade de la Rudelière to Rond-Point Schwabach, and back.
HALF-MARATHON (distance of 21097.50 meters) Sunday May 19, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. Departure from Lac de Tanchet and route Remblai and Avenue Rhin et Danube
2600 runners (2300 in 2023)
(1st loop distance: 10119.29 meters; 2nd loop distance: 10978.21 meters)
– The Sables-d’Olonne Half-Marathon has the international label, issued by the FFA. It is for this reason that the organization does what is necessary to receive very high level athletes.
It is included in the World Athletics calendar. Athletes performing certain performances can obtain points that can allow access to international competitions, depending on the points ranking obtained.
Arrival of the first competitors around 9:03 a.m.
Half Marathon Protocol Ceremony at 12:00 p.m.
10 KM Sunday May 19, 2024 at 10:40 a.m.
1600 runners (1250 in 2023)
– This is a regional label event, qualifying for the French championships.
The distance, approximately half the Half Marathon, allows you to participate at a distance that is sometimes more in line with your training level.
SOME NUMBERS
– 6000 liters of water
– 24,000 paper cups
– 5000 apples, to munch on…
– 4500 buns
– 2200 meters of barriers
– 20 vehicles and 14 motorcycles for organizational needs.
Philippe Brossard-Lotz
The Sablais Reporter
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Philippe Brossard-Lotz
The Sablais Reporter
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