Sébastien, Sabine and David talk before the start

Whether they are novices or experienced, confident or stressed, looking for pleasure or performance, runners will be there this Sunday, November 24 for the 33rd edition of the Serge Vigot marathon. Nearly 8,500 people are expected on the cobblestones of downtown La Rochelle. Meeting with three runners from Haute-Vienne.

A few days before the start, Sébastien puts his alarm aside. More than usual, the thirty-year-old monitors his night cycle to be as fit as possible. He also makes sure to eat vegetables and starchy foods, while giving up bad sugar. Without forgetting, of course, to hydrate well. So many essential elements for the success of a running race: Limougeaud is in fact preparing to run the 42 kilometers of the La Rochelle – Serge Vigot marathon, which opens this Sunday, November 24.

“The La Rochelle marathon is a circuit that makes you dreamsays Sébastien, an electronics engineer by trade located in the town of Couzeix, north of Limoges, in Haute-Vienne, impatiently. We run right in the city center, along the water, near the old portcontinues the thirty-year-old. And what's more, there aren't too many people, it's not too impressive a marathon.”

A circuit that the runner already experienced in 2016, finishing it in 3 hours 49 minutes.

Running is the sport where the feeling of freedom is the most complete. We run where and when we want.

Sébastien Videau

Electronics engineer and runner of the La Rochelle marathon – Serge Vigot

“Running has become my way of life”explains Sébastien, a member of Limoges Athlé for five years. In fact, the runner takes out his sneakers three to four times a week. A way for him to channel his energy. “I have a pretty stressful job and running allows me to let off some steam”says the thirty-year-old, who also admits to looking for performance when he runs. An activity that he started at the end of his engineering school, following a significant weight gain.

Although he is prepared for this new challenge, Sébastien does not hide the doubts that cross his mind a few days before the start. “I have some apprehensionshe reports. As a runner, there is always a fear of having digestive or fuel supply issues while running. Did I make the right choices during my preparation, particularly in terms of equipment or hydration?”asks Sébastien. It will be set on Sunday noon.

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This 33^e edition of the La Rochelle marathon – Serge Vigot is a “revenge” for Sabine Debord. At 42, the woman who works as an assistant in a house construction company is preparing to set foot on the cobblestones of downtown La Rochelle for the second time. Even if the first experience didn't really leave him with a good memory: “I was injured while preparing for my first marathon in La Rochelle”she still remembers. In the meantime, she had the opportunity to participate in the one in Paris, which she finished in 4 hours 26 minutes.

Today, as the race approaches, Sabine is more motivated than ever. The forty-year-old, also president of the Km42 Saint-Just-le-Martel running club, hopes to complete the La Rochelle circuit in 4 hours 20 minutes. And for this, like Sébastien, the marathon runner has followed rigorous training. “I do about four races a weekexplains Sabine, including one on Sunday for an hour and a half. I also take advantage of this to regulate my waking up, hydrate myself well and consume the right carbohydrates.”

The marathon is like therapy.

Sabine Debord

President of the Kilomètre 42 running club

The forty-year-old took up running in 2016, after having definitively put aside tobacco. “I started with my partner, he was the one who supported and motivated me at the beginning.” Today, while running, Sabine seeks the feeling of pleasure that overwhelms her when she finally sees the finish line. “It is often said that the first thirty kilometers are done with the legs, the next ten with the heart and the last two with tearsshe jokes. The marathon is an outlet.”

For his part, what pushes David to put on his shoes to go running, “it’s seeing the clock go down while age increases over the years”. At 47 years old and from Condat-sur-Vienne, David Bibin is preparing to run his second marathon, after a first attempt in La Rochelle in 2018, where he completed the course in 3 hours. Unlike Sabine and Sébastien, David is a young rookie in the running world: “I only got into it four years ago.”

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David was turned towards this discipline somewhat by chance. “I have always been sportysays the man who works in the Syded87 recycling center network. I played rugby and handball for example, but also swimming and a bit of cycling.”

A rather intense practice, before an immediate stop in 2009. “I was in a serious accident. And looking back, I was very lucky not to die or become quadriplegic.” An accident which, however, was accompanied by constraints: David had to move away from contact sports.

Running is a beautiful environment.

David Bibin

Marathon runner and employee of the Syded87 recycling center network

“Today, I love running and I won't be able to give it uphe says. What I like about this sport is surpassing oneself and performance.” Alongside sport, he also highlights the “beautiful people” that he was able to meet in this environment and in particular in the various running clubs that he experienced, including Back to the run and Limoges Athlé. This Sunday, David hopes to finish the marathon in less than 3 hours.

Like Sabine and Sébastien, David says to himself “ready to fight” on the La Rochelle marathon track. The 33^e edition is broadcast live on France 3 NoA this Sunday, November 24. The channel list is available hereotherwise go on our website to watch the race.