“I am super happy.
It is a pride to beat this record in front of my family, my mother, my wife, my son, Corsica!
"A few hours after having beaten, on Saturday, the French hour record (20.772 km, or 2'53" per kilometer), which dated from 1990, Morhad Amdouni quietly lets the pressure fall, on the heights of Porto-Vecchio , his hometown. There is no personal revenge for the French cross-country skier, just the feeling of having taken on a great challenge.
A little over a month ago, the European champion in the 10,000m should have participated in the Tokyo Games marathon, in oppressive heat.
Saturday, while the start was scheduled for 7 pm on the track at the Lucciana stadium, not far from Bastia, Amdouni preferred to wait for the sunset: “It's not easy to run for an hour at full speed.
On this kind of attempt, you have to have the ideal conditions to manage fatigue as well as possible.
"
"My real challenge remains the Games in 2021"
Almost an hour late, the first of the two hares finally sets off on the blue track.
The objective is simple, mathematical: "I asked them to keep a pace of 2'54" per kilometer, says the runner from Val-d'Europe (Seine-et-Marne). It was a bit slow at the start , it was around three minutes ... "He then asked Peter Kiprotich, who had helped Mo Farah to break the world record (21.330 km) at the beginning of September, to accelerate the pace. The Kenyan held up until the 15th kilometer, then leave the French alone at the controls.
“I was on my own.
I knew the last quarter of an hour would be the most important moment.
When he arrived, I also knew it was good.
I was ready to give all I had left to the public
(Editor's note: around 250 people)
to show them my gratitude, because I never forget where I come from.
Guest, Bertrand Itsweire, the holder of the previous record, bowed.
After having encouraged him for sixty minutes, the Northerner slips that "records are made to be broken" in the ear of his successor.
Beyond the sporting feat, this record marks the start of serious matters for the one who was suspected of purchasing doping products last year.
His next outing will be on the half or the Valencia marathon, on December 6: “My real challenge remains the Games in 2021
(Editor's note: with a marathon in Sapporo)
.
Until then, I want willpower and pleasure.
"
