When asked if he has planned not to be too mean with his competitors this Sunday, Eliud Kipchoge sketches a mischievous smile.
He, the Kenyan, capable of swallowing a marathon in 2 hours, is not used to letting others pass him.
"I warned that I would go quickly," he sneers.
But the goal is also that as many people as possible qualify for the Marathon for All.
"
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The principle of the race, which will start this Sunday on the Champs-Elysées, is simple: the 3,000 participants, who were drawn for the majority via the “Club Paris 2024”, will gradually start by “airlock”. According to their running pace - first the slowest, then the fastest.
They will have to cover the 5 kilometers before the marathoner, who will start last with a time penalty, swallows the distance.
The reward for the winners is therefore a bib for the “Marathon pour Tous”, the first race in the history of the Games open to spectators.
Those who fail can still be drawn.
"Bringing the Games to life as actors"
“Even if you don't really take the start with him, it's exciting to face Kipchoge,” says Mathieu, a triathlete from Montpellier who will be in the fastest airlock (15-18 km / h).
It's especially crazy to be able to claim to participate in an international event like that.
I think it's part of what Paris 2024 wants to do: bring the Games to life as actors, not just spectators.
"
And here is the route for tomorrow's race!
5km to try to "Kip" the distance with @EliudKipchoge 🏃♀️
Do you feel ready?
#MarathonForAll pic.twitter.com/l0wiPeMlbn
- Paris 2024 (@ Paris2024) October 30, 2021
This Sunday, at D-1000 before the opening ceremony, this event aims above all to officially launch the grand countdown to the Paris Games.
"I am delighted to have this opportunity to be an ambassador for the Games, and to help build the enthusiasm for Paris 2024," Kipchoge continues.
Sunday's race will help drive up the wait around the race.
This project came as a surprise to me, and it's a good thing to do.
I'm happy and can't wait to run.
There is no doubt that Mathieu, like all the other riders entered this Sunday, is also eager to come up against the living legend.