This morning at 8 a.m., over 13,000 competitors and participants (some of whom would settle for this appellation highly valued by Baron De Coubertin!) will start the 10th edition of the Nice-Cannes Marathon.
“10 years of passion, 10 years of enthusiasm, 10 years of sharing, 10 years of self-surpassing,” says with emotion Pascal Thiriot, president of Azur Sport Organisation which is the organizing association of the event.
“It is a tremendous honor and immense joy to start this anniversary edition.”
Despite unfavorable weather, the marathoners will be hunting for success and records.
Among the favorites, we have the Kenyan Alfred Kerint (personal best 2h07’10”) who will be accompanied by his compatriots Emmanuel Sikuku, Alex Bartilol, and Daniel Yator. In the same league, two Ethiopians Dejene Kelkilev and Azmeraw Mengistu.
Finally, the novelty of the race: the Japanese Yuki Kawauchi (2’08″14), 9th in the World Championships in 2017, who has 71 marathons to his name!!!
Will he be the one to end the African domination in Nice?
On the women’s side, three names stand out: two representatives of the great Ethiopian school, Shetu Tigist (2h34’37”) and Meseret Gola (2h35’08”) and the veteran French Aline Camboulive.
The records to beat? Lukas Kanda’s in 2011, 2h08’40” for men and Radiya Roba’s 2h30’37 in 2010 for women.
Moreover, female participants represent 25% of the participants. It is not yet parity, but it is moving forward!
59 is the number of nationalities represented in this 2017 edition. France is logically the first country represented, ahead of the United Kingdom and the Scandinavian countries.
44 is the average age of male marathoners and 43 for women.
Finally, 49 is the number of runners who have been present since the beginning of the adventure!
