In Douarnenez, marathon runners in love run towards their dreams in New York

From Staten Island to Central Park through Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan: this journey through the most iconic places of New York is the one that Séverine and Marc Ropert are preparing to experience. On November 3, 2024, the Poullanais, parents of five children and residents of the Douarnenez Pleasure Athle Clubof course the New York marathon will begin, among more than 50,000 runners. “This is the race I’ve dreamed of participating in since I started running,” said Séverine Ropert. At 45, she will participate in her tenth marathon from 2019.

Today, I don’t really see Severine anymore, except from behind sometimes, when we go downhill.

“The first one was in Paris, for my 40th birthday. Before that, I went running alone on Sunday mornings, for fun,” she explains. Marc, 52, was “fairly into mountain biking” before he found himself drawn into a passion for running with his wife. Their last wedding anniversary? They celebrated it at the end of June, at the Ultramarin de Vannes, on a course of 109 km, which was completed in 10h35 for Séverine, in 14h56 for her husband. “At first, we ran together. But today, I don’t really see Séverine anymore, but from behind sometimes, when we go downhill,” said Marc, laughing.

Two different approaches

A law that threatens to be confirmed again next November at the marathon organized in the Big Apple. “Will I appreciate the views during the race? I don’t think so, no. We will have a few days before and after the marathon to discover the city,” laughs Séverine, who has a personal best of 2h59, a good time achieved in Paris, in in 2023. “It will be difficult to do better in New York, where the circuit is less smooth than in Paris. I think my time will be around 3:15,” she warns. however.

at my pace, I’ll be able to enjoy the scenery more and chat a bit with the other runners

Her husband, 52, describes himself as an “old diesel”, more attracted to running on the track, even if he especially appreciates the atmosphere of a marathon, a combination of camaraderie between runners and popular support along the way. “And then, at my pace, I can enjoy the scenery more and have a little chat with the other runners,” laughs the employee of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, very relaxed with the language of Shakespeare.

“Not even home for Halloween!” »

While waiting to fly to the United States, the marathon lovebirds fine-tune their preparation by logging the kilometers, “between 45 and 70 per week for four weekly rounds “. While they also take care not to get injured before October 30, which is the date they landed across the Atlantic. “It’s so bad, they won’t even be home for Halloween!” », says Lucie, 9 years old, youngest of the Ropert family. We know some people who need to make a trip to the New York souvenir shops after the marathon…