Nearly 13,000 runners are registered for the La Rochelle Marathon this Sunday. A thirtieth edition which takes place after the cancellation of the race last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, this Sunday, “health is our number 1 concern” said the president of the race, Dominique Rougé. Participants will, for example keep their mask until crossing the starting line where they can put it in large bins. 8,000 runners will set off at 9am in the queen event of the marathon, the other 5,000 will be spread over the other events. 3,200 runners registered last year reported their participation over this year.
The flagship race, the marathon will start at 9 a.m. from two different places on the Old Port: the Quai Louis Durand and the Quai Maubec. This double start offers spectators two routes in two loops. Competitors will notably pass through the historic hyper center before concluding on one last quick kilometer : allée du Mail, Parks, rue du Palais, Grosse Horloge, Cours des Dames and arrival at the foot of the towers of La Rochelle.
The direct
Follow the race live by listening to France Bleu La Rochelle and in pictures on France 3.
Besides the Marathon and its 42 kilometers, the day is also marked by a “10 kilometers” (departure 8:45 am, avenue du Général Leclerc), by a duo race and a “business challenge” (departure 9am, quai Maubec) and by a handisport competition (semi-handisport armchairs and marathon for the blind and visually impaired).