Runner of the 2014 Paris Marathon - Photograph by amarivain
Last Sunday was Paris marathon.
This year, the runners were lucky: not too hot, not too cold and no rain.
I was with Chicagoan friends cheering all the runners, yes, all of them! If you have ever done a marathon (full disclosure, I haven't), you know how a "bravo" or a "you can do it" or simple clapping are important. My marathon runner friends emphasized that the cheering is the little extra making you go on with your race.
Then, it was very surprising to see the spectators not encouraging the runners. One of my friends running the marathon even told me it felt like they were there just to view and judge and the difference with marathons in other cities was huge.
So, what happens with the "French" crowd?
Are French not cheerleaders at heart? ;)
I assisted to the Chicago marathon last year and it was a great experience to be in a spectator, everybody was encouraging the runners, yelling names, countries, etc...
So, this Sunday, I was confused to see how little cheerful the crowd was. And I can't imagine it's a cultural thing because
I do remember going to see bicycle races when I was little with my father, and all kind of them: male, female, pro, amateurs, the crowds were always motivating and cheering the bikers. And what about the Tour de France? Spectators cheering on cameras, crazy advertising cars throwing goodies, it's all a big "fiesta".
So I'm confused about the 2014 Paris marathon and I want to think that indifferent and boring are just adjectives and feelings people will give to the French spectators only temporarily.
Cheers up!
This year, the runners were lucky: not too hot, not too cold and no rain.
I was with Chicagoan friends cheering all the runners, yes, all of them! If you have ever done a marathon (full disclosure, I haven't), you know how a "bravo" or a "you can do it" or simple clapping are important. My marathon runner friends emphasized that the cheering is the little extra making you go on with your race.
Then, it was very surprising to see the spectators not encouraging the runners. One of my friends running the marathon even told me it felt like they were there just to view and judge and the difference with marathons in other cities was huge.
So, what happens with the "French" crowd?
Are French not cheerleaders at heart? ;)
I assisted to the Chicago marathon last year and it was a great experience to be in a spectator, everybody was encouraging the runners, yelling names, countries, etc...
So, this Sunday, I was confused to see how little cheerful the crowd was. And I can't imagine it's a cultural thing because
I do remember going to see bicycle races when I was little with my father, and all kind of them: male, female, pro, amateurs, the crowds were always motivating and cheering the bikers. And what about the Tour de France? Spectators cheering on cameras, crazy advertising cars throwing goodies, it's all a big "fiesta".
So I'm confused about the 2014 Paris marathon and I want to think that indifferent and boring are just adjectives and feelings people will give to the French spectators only temporarily.
Cheers up!
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