Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 97, August 2017 | Page 40

Ma Advertorial
A REAL GEM
OF A RACE
THE MARATHON DES ALPES MARITIMES NICE-CANNES
By Jacqui Reid
T
he French Riviera has been a draw card for
holidaymakers for decades. It’s dotted with quaint
little towns and villages along the beautiful coastline,
overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, and for nine years
this was the backdrop to the Nice-Cannes Marathon, but
due to the terrorist attack in July 2016 in Nice, all major
sporting events were cancelled…
After much persuasion from marathon enthusiasts, the
organisers of the Nice-Cannes Marathon decided they would
be defiant in the face of terrorism and put the Nice-Cannes
Marathon back on the calendar in 2017, although the course
was re-routed to avoid the scene of the attack. The surge of
entries clearly proved that people wanted to run, undeterred
by fear, and I was fortunate enough to be invited by the Nice
Tourism Board to take part in this incredible event.
The new starting point was the Nice Allianz Riviera Stadium, which made for a
grand backdrop as I toed the line with about 13,000 fellow runners just as the sun
started to peak over the hills. Music blared out, people were in great spirits and the
atmosphere was jubilant. For me, this is a perfect size for a marathon. Big enough
to feel like an international event, but without the hectic crowds at the start and
finish line.
The klaxon went off and we headed south. After about 5km, we hit the Riviera
coastline, and wow… That’s all I could get out as I was left speechless. With the
morning sun beating down on the Mediterranean, it was like a crystal pond, with
reflections of light everywhere. It was a truly amazing sight.
Pockets of cheering crowds welcomed us as we ran from town to town, snaking our
way along the largely flat course towards the bright lights and glamour of Cannes.
The sun shone down on us, but the weather was kind and not too hot, merely
adding to the holiday feel of the race, which also offers a relay and half marathon
options for those runners that want to run a shorter distance. There is also a full set
of pacesetters for those that are gunning for a particular time.
FLOATING ALONG
By the time I had reached the half marathon point, it felt like I had hardly run that
distance, as the cheering, clapping crowds along the route seem to pull you along.
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There is so much activity along the route that you forget you’re running. That said,
there are a couple of climbs along the way, which actually give your legs some relief
from the long flat sections, and at one of the steep climbs around the 27km mark,
there is a sharp bend that the organisers made into a spectators’ hot spot. The
crowd here was amazing, and the cheering was a great help to get you to the top,
where we turned a corner and saw Cannes waiting for us in the distance.
If there is one thing I really enjoyed, it was running parallel to the sea, which literally
laps the shore just metres from the route. It really did not feel like I was running a
marathon, more like doing a morning run in the most beautiful part of the world.
Coming into Cannes, you are greeted by a long blue carpeted finish and a big crowd
that cheers you over the line. After that there are free massages on the beach, plus
a plentiful goody bag, T-shirt and lovely big medal for your effort. I joined many
paddling my post-marathon legs in the sea, wearing my medal, quietly delighted
with a surprisingly decent time on the minimal training I had done for the race.
BRILLIANT EXPERIENCE
If you are thinking of heading overseas for a race, the Nice-Cannes Marathon is
highly recommended. The organisation is excellent from start to finish, and the
course, although it does have a few hills, is so pretty that it certainly makes the
kilometres easier. I have run plenty of road marathons in my time, and many are not
particularly scenic. This one is.
To find out more about tour packages to this wonderful race as well as many
other
sporting
events around the world, go to www.gosportstravel.co.za
ISSUE 97 AUGUST
2017 / www.modernathlete.co.za
OFF WE GO