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The 11th Marathon of Monaco and the Riviera on Sunday 30th March
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05/03/2008 -
Three questions for Jean-Pierre Schoebel, Director of the Fédération Monégasque d’Athlétisme
What’s new for the 11th Marathon of Monaco and the Riviera?
First, the calendar. Usuallythe Marathon is held on the second-last Sunday in March, except this year it will be on the 30th March because of Easter weekend. Why? Because we feel that the runners will be in better physical condition in spring than in winter. For those coming from abroad, it will also be easier to find accommodation. Secondly, the course has been changed.
| It will begin at 9.30am, on the starting line of the Formula One circuit, instead of by the Casino, in front of the head office of the IAAF. The layout of the loop, from the beginning in Monaco, was previously very difficult, so it has been changed to allow runners to preserve energy. The finish line will still be at Stade Louis II where the public is invited, from 11.30am, to come and encourage the participants.
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© Charly Gallo - Centre de Presse de Monaco |
Who will be present at the starting line?
J.-P. S. : World-class champions of course, with great Kenyans and Ethiopians, but also more than 2000 people of 50 different nationalities. The amazing course, between the sea and mountains, crosses four different towns (Monaco, Roquebrune-Cap Martin, Menton and Ventimiglia) and is very much appreciated by the marathon runners. We are expecting many enthusiasts for the 5th edition of the Monte-Carlo 10km, which will begin at 10.15am.
How do you manage such a sporting event?
J.-P. S. : On D-day, the runners are accompanied by a team of 60 people and a thousand volunteers, amongst them the Red Cross who have helped us a lot. Problems with traffic and parking related to the race are managed every year thanks to the close co-operation of all the towns. On the financial and logistical level, we rely heavily on the support of the Government of Monaco. Everything will come together to make sure that the Monaco and Riviera marathon is a truly great sporting event.
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