More than half a thousand people gathered this Saturday morning near the Espace Encan to take part in the gambette warm-up. A festive and useful warm-up, which has become essential, on the eve of the La Rochelle Marathon. In the meantime, the big start of the main event and the supporting races on Sunday morning, between 500 and 600 running enthusiasts, young and old, disguised or not, covered the 4 km in a carnival atmosphere. Free access, the leg warm-up is open to all, individual runners and associations. This is the case with OuiRun La Rochelle. It's hard to miss the forty members present this Saturday morning with their neon pink outfits.
Exotic sunglasses on his nose, bob on his head despite the wind, Jean-Pierre leads the merry band. At 59 years old, he is the dean of the association founded 7 years ago and which has more than 150 members. OuiRun – La Rochelle has become a big family. There is something for all levels and all ages. “We meet on Tuesday in Aytré to do interval training, on Thursday to do other sessions around La Rochelle and outings are also organized on Sunday”. Valérie, 53, is an assistant in an after-sales service company. She started running 10 years ago and is having a blast. “Ah yes, just for fun, we have a good laugh. It’s a lot of fun and sharing? We try to train seriously but in a good mood.”
Nothing better than warming up the legs to have a good time, confirms Jean-Pierre: “There is first the festive aspect, but it is also the opportunity to be able to help an association if we win, like two years ago.” The gambette warm-up association challenge allows the three winning teams to win a prize of €500, €300 or €200, depending on the size of the team and its originality (disguise, entertainment). An endowment which is donated to the association of his choice.
Furthermore, the leg warmer is also an opportunity to honor the associative community. Each participant has the opportunity to buy a collector's t-shirt in exchange for two euros. The proceeds from the sale are donated to an association, in partnership with Léa Nature. This Saturday morning, Canton Sème received a check for €1,000. Based at the Super Ferme in Périgny, the association raises awareness among all audiences about the practice of organic market gardening through participatory projects and even workshops.
But the leg warm-up is first and foremost a joyful warm-up before the big Sunday meeting. “There are a good thirty members of OuiRun running tomorrow (Sunday). Some are doing the 10 km, others are running the marathon as a duo, we have a bit of everything!” says Valérie. And you ? “I don't do anything. I just encourage. I'll be a Cheerleader! ” (laughs);
Eric Le Bihan
The marathon in figures
The 2024 La Rochelle Marathon: edition of all records. Record participation for this 33rd edition, which will start this Sunday morning from the Maubec and Louis Durand quays. 8,500 runners are registered (that's 1000 more than last year). 1000 duos will run the 42.195 km. Other races are on the program this Sunday. In total, more than 13,000 runners are involved in all the events. Of the 8,500 registered for the main event, 21% are women. All French departments and 32 nationalities are represented there. 800 runners participate in the business challenge, or 200 of four runners. The La Rochelle marathon also involves 1,300 volunteers, 65 exhibitors in the village and more than 27,000 visitors last year.
- 8:45 am: Start of the 10 km (3000 registered)
- 8:57 a.m.: Start of “handisport” races (semi-wheelchairs + non- and visually impaired)
- 9:00 a.m.: Start of the Marathon
If the mercury should rise a little on Sunday morning, the wind could thwart the ambitions of the big names to set a time. As a reminder, the record for the La Rochelle Marathon has been held since 2011 by the Kenyan John Komen who covered the 42.195 km in 2h07'13″. Among the women, it is the Kenyan Célestine Chepchirchir who holds the record in 2h 23 '38″ in 2021.
