In the best of all possible worlds, the Paris half-marathon should have taken place this Sunday, March 7.
Obviously, this is not the case: it would have been inappropriate to summon 40,000 runners to the streets of the capital.
Last year, the half-marathon was canceled the day before the start, just before the first confinement measures.
This time, the measure was taken well in advance and no one is surprised.
However, the semi is missing like the Paris marathon scheduled for April will be missing.
For the moment, the two meetings are postponed: the half-marathon has found a place in the calendar for September 5 and the Paris marathon is stalled for October 17.
To keep running enthusiasts patient, ASO (Amaury Sport Organization), the organizer of the two gatherings, is launching the real half-marathon instead, a semi-connected open to all and taking place this weekend.
The idea is simple: a semi being 21 km long, it is asked who wishes to run in duo with a friend, a member of his family, a sports partner ...
Around home or in the nearest park
No obligation of time or place: "As long as we run in pairs, we whisper in the direction of the organizer, we can run when we want between Saturday morning and Sunday: around home, in the nearest park: whatever.
The only constraint is to carry out the 21 km of the semi in two relays.
The distance that each will have covered remains at the discretion of the runners: 1 km for one, 20 km for the other.
10.5 km for both ... The main thing is to keep the link, the taste for effort in these difficult times.
»More than 7000 participants have already registered.
To be part of this virtual party, nothing could be simpler.
You have to go to the official half-marathon website to download the digital bib, then the dedicated application and let's go.
Registrations are possible until Saturday March 6, 6 p.m.
Information on the site: harmoniemutuellesemideparis.com/fr