Wow....3 weeks until my 40th birthday and one day less for an amazing birthday present. Myself along with 37,000 other runners will be lining up at the startline of the 2009 Paris Marathon and running the streets of Paris.
Now, I have run some big marathons - LA, RockNRoll SD, Honolulu.....but, the most runners at these events averaged somewhere around 20,000. It was crowded, busy, never a dull moment to be had, and it was fun. But, I have never run with 37,000 other people. That is almost double what these other marathons have been...crazy. And, how's this for added perspective - there are more people signed up to run the Paris marathon than live in my city of Dana Point, which has a approximate population of 36,000. So it would be like my whole city; kids, babies, grandparents and all, plus another 1000, running the streets of Paris. I wonder how long it will take me to go from my starting corral to cross the startline after the gun goes off....I'm thinking at least 15 minutes.
I am so excited and looking forward to this birthday present. I can't wait to run down the Champs Elysee, along the Seine, past Notre Dame and the Louvre, and within view of the Tour de Eiffel. I just hope I don't trip and fall over anyone because as you can see by the pictures above, it can get a bit crowded. =)
Here's to happy runnning and the delicious crepes and tasty red wine that will follow....
Cheers!
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