This Sunday, October 13, there were more than 24,000 runners in the streets of the city center for the 43rd edition of Tout Rennes court. High-level athletes, amateurs looking for performance, but above all anonymous people driven by the pleasure of running together with encouragement. But actually, why are they running?
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Like every year, they poured into the streets of the city. In their outfits, each more flashy than the last, the 24,000 participants of Tout Rennes court achieved their goal, whether it was 5 km, 10 km or even 21.1 km for the semi. -marathon.
And throughout the course, they were able to benefit from the encouragement of the public who never stopped pushing them.
The “Go, go, go, keep going, don’t stop”. It gives you enough energy to finish.
Pierrick,1h57 pour son 1er semi-marathon
Pierrick, satisfied with having completed 1h57 for his first half-marathon, less than 2 hours as he had set himself, does not hide it: without the public, it would have been more difficult.
“On our own, we have some slack, especially at the 15th kilometer mark. But there are so many people around, children applauding, people with very funny signs, it brings a little balm to the heart. ‘Go, go, go, keep going, don’t stop’, that gives you enough energy to finish.”
There were crowds on the course and behind the barriers for this edition of Tout Rennes court.
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© T. Peigné – FTV
For Nicolas, who runs very regularly in Rennes on Sundays, “seeing all these spectators everywhere cheering you on, it’s super festive and super pleasant. It’s really an event not to be missed for the people of Rennes” he explains after completing his half marathon.
Opinion shared by Delphine, also a half-marathoner, who adds that “this atmosphere draws us in. It’s very energizing.”
Flavie, her face still very red, is proud of herself for having run the 21 km in 1h48. She specifies that beyond the public, there is the fact of running together, “it motivates” car “we are all struggling and we are all in the result”.
And you only have to look at the runners on the course to know that most of them also come to share the race. As Pierrick explains, “we all help each other as best we can, we give each other little pats on the back when we see that it’s a little harder.”
And even if we don’t necessarily run with our friends to respect our own pace, we certainly don’t forget them. Thus, Swann, once the finish line of the half-marathon was crossed, returned behind the barriers to support his friend Kevin, in the hope that the latter would do less than 2 hours as he had set himself.
For me, there was no way I would cross the finish line without him.
Caroline,half-marathoner who runs with her husband
Caroline and Stéphane are participating in the half-marathon as a couple. A few dozen meters from the finish, they offer a beautiful image to the public: Caroline realizes that Stéphane is no longer at her side to cross the line. Without hesitation, she stops, begins to trot in place, looking back. As soon as she sees her other half in difficulty, she goes towards him, takes his hand and it is hand in hand that they finish the ordeal. “For me, it was out of the question that I would pass my line without him” Caroline tells us a few moments later “because it was my husband who motivated me to do the half marathon”. And Stéphane adds “I was injured so I couldn’t train but I wanted to do it with her. And as a result, I struggled the last 5 kilometers. That’s why she told me waited for the arrival”.
Catherine came “with family” with her daughter Lisa and her boyfriend. Even though Lisa was ahead of her mother, they are both satisfied with their race, the atmosphere and having “cleared my head”, primary quality that they seek when practicing running.
Clear your head, but above all “for pleasure”. This is what mainly emerges from the responses when we ask all our amateur athletes what pushes them to practice running.
For Caroline and Stéphane, the pleasure of running also comes from “practice together”to be able “do it anywhere” et “without the children, at our own pace”.
For Swann, the race, “it’s good for surpassing oneself, it’s accessible and it has physical and mental benefits. It’s also a cardiovascular activity which will, casually, improve our quantity and quality of life, just by running , which is something natural. So, running is rather exceptional.”.
As for Nicolas, practicing running, “it’s for well-being and keeping a figure to allow yourself a few excesses from time to time” he explains with a smile. Opinion widely shared by Sylvain for whom to run “it’s so you can have an aperitif” before adding “and talk to each other of course.”
