It was his American dream: to scrape the asphalt at the foot of skyscrapers. Antoine De Wilde took part, on Sunday 6 November, in the New York marathon, one of the six events of the World Marathon Majors (with Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin and Chicago), a competition that brings together the main and annual races of the legendary distance of 42.195 km. “When you do a little road race, the New York marathon is the one that comes out in people’s mouths,” says Antoine De Wilde.
prize The French Run: the journey of a former French champion to made in France
Created in 1970, the meeting corresponds to the democratization of racing in the country. “New York carries within itself the genesis of the race. “Slowed by a craving for two thirds of the course (” There were no solid provisions “) and committed to its third marathon in three weeks (” I don’t recommend it, I’m in pieces “), Neversois completed the test in 3h24 ‘ 30 ”, far from the winner, the Kenyan Evans Chabet (2h08’41 ”). And he preferred good memories to good weather.
I called my parents and friends via video, in the middle of the race, to let them experience the atmosphere. I’ve been running for twenty-five years, I’ve never felt such a thrill
On Sunday, more than 50,000 were living the myth from the inside, step by step, on the streets of Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Manhattan… “There wasn’t a part of the route without an audience. I no longer count the “Dai” (“Go” in French in the text), the “Sei forte” (“You are strong”) to encourage us. Even if I left in silence, you have to hit them for the 42 kilometers. My body quickly showed signs of fatigue. This pushed me even further to slow down. “And the eyes.
“It was my sixth marathon (a record of 2h29’322, in Tours, in 2016). The first abroad. “I called my parents and my friends on video, in the middle of the race, to let them experience the atmosphere. I’ve been running for twenty-five years, I’ve never felt such a thrill ”, savors Antoine De Wilde, who has already come to New York as a tourist, and fascinated by the American atmosphere around the race.
American anthem, Frank Sinatra
“Before the start, a singer performed the American anthem. Then, he gave us Frank Sinatra’s “New-York New-York”, he appreciates the organizer of the Nevers marathon, still marked by his first steps on crossing the Verrazano-Narrows bridge, which he did not fail to immortalize with a few shots.
The start of the New York Marathon took place via the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. © Antoine De Wilde
Engaged in a mythical race, even an expensive one (500 dollars per bib, “with a part donated to charity”), Antoine De Wilde measured the excess of the event, followed by over two million spectators and coveted every year by 100,000 runners .
“It makes me want to take part in all the major marathons on the planet, even if I’m not sportingly prepared for it,” admits the former French national champion in the 3000 steeplechase (2008) who has dedicated his life to running. on foot, first as an athlete, now as an entrepreneur.
“I’m not going to do a fourth marathon in a month. “Not as a runner. The next one is as an organizer who will approach it, with the Nevers marathon, on Sunday 27 November. “I like the marathon, from New York to Nevers, because it is an extraordinary distance for ordinary people. Finishing one means wearing a little hero or heroin cloak on your shoulders “, Antoine De Wilde formula, other dreams ahead of him and an idea behind his head:” Coordinating a living room, with multiple runners and runners, on one of the six the biggest marathons on the planet, and why not the one in New York ”, Mecca of running.
Owen Gourdin
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