Considering the sudden climbing temperatures, a mercifully early start was welcomed by some 57,000 runners as they set off from the Champs-Elysees for the 41st Paris Marathon. Very much an International meeting, some 144 countries are represented on the start line. With 6,934 Brits making the crossing across the channel, 1 of those was our newcomer Bill Goozee.
A quarter of a million spectators line the route down the Seine. Runners pass the Louvre as they make their way out to the Chateau de Vincennes, around the adjoining park and back up the riverbank to pass the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower. They then complete the last 10k through the Bois de Bologne before finishing in front of the iconic Arc de Triomphe.
His 6th marathon, he ran a hugely consistent pace to storm home to a triumphant PB of 2.50.18, knocking 6 minutes off his previous best. Bill came in at a fantastic 409th place overall and gained himself a coveted good for age place which he hopes to use for New York in the near future.
“I gave that everything today” he said. “I am loving being a member of Roadrunners. I feel like I am coming on in leaps and bounds”
An absolutely blinding performance from a very welcome new edition to the club.
