Page 48 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

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SPORTS AND ACTIVITIES FORGET THE

LONDON
MARATHON?

THE BUILD-UP London is undoubtedly one
of the world’s top marathons, in terms of its
number of competitors, and for the top-ranking
The Paris
runners it attracts. Begun in 1981, it has since
with cheering supporters from start to finish.

THE LETDOWN London has become a victim
Marathon built up a huge following, with the streets lined
of its own success. Competition for getting in is
high – almost 100,000 applicants for 50,000
accepted places. Moreover, as most of the course
is on relatively narrow roads, you become
hemmed in, which can be frustrating and
vs the London Marathon energy-sapping when you’re trying to get into a
rhythm and keep up your planned pace.

GOING ANYWAY? If you don’t get into
Running the Paris marathon instead of London means broad boulevards instead of London at first, keep trying, as they guarantee
narrow streets – and an inspiring start in the looming shadow of the Arc de Triomphe a place if you apply five years in a row. To get
around the congestion problem, try to worm
your way to the front of your section. When
the race starts, zig-zag through firmly but
Blessed with a beautiful setting, with its broad
NEED TO KNOW sportingly. Or wear a giant hedgehog suit –
avenues ideal for mass runners, Paris is certainly no
6/*5&% that’ll soon clear the pack!
ROUTE Head down the ,*/(%0. -JMMF second-best alternative to London. Unlike London,
Champs-Elysées, around the
Place de la Concorde and 1"3*4 4USBTCPVSH which starts on the eastern outskirts, the Paris
east, looping around the Bois marathon begins and ends in the city center, so
de Vincennes. Return to the '3"/$&
centrer and finish on Ave Foch, 48*5;&3-"/% you’ll be running along wide boulevards and
behind the Arc de Triomphe -ZPO passing famous Parisian landmarks. What could
*5"-:
ENTRY DEADLINE End Jan #PSEFBVY match the excitement of beginning a marathon
RACE DATE First Sun in April .BSTFJMMF at the top of the Champs-Elysées, with the Arc de
NUMBER OF
41"*/ Triomphe behind you and an endless wave of
ENTRANTS 37,000
some 35,000 runners before you as you set off into
the rising sun?
London may be host to one of the most famous As you head east, the surreal sight of an
marathons in the world, but Paris can offer runners artificial mountain at the Bois de Vincennes zoo ABOVE The streets of London crowded with thousands of
the same big-city buzz without the uncertainty of looms on the horizon. Twists and turns through runners at the London Marathon
getting a place. Unlike London, which sometimes leafy parkland here give a welcome break from the
has as many as eight applicants for each place, any long straight avenues. The crowds are thinner too;
potential participant will virtually be guaranteed a a few suburban dog-walkers look on bemused as
place in the Paris marathon. Both races take place you bound – or by now trudge – through the trees.
in April, with similarly mild weather, so many This of course, being Paris, refreshments are PRACTICAL INFORMATION
runners who unsuccessfully tried for London head plentiful; bananas and oranges are the official
to Paris instead. offering, though look out for the wine and cheese Getting There and Around at lunchtime, the main meal
stand at around the 21-mile (35-km) mark. Paris’ main airport is Roissy of the day in France. It is
Charles de Gaulle, some 17 miles usually a good-value and tasty
Supporters en route are numerous, though they
(27 km) north of the city. option. Try Chez Gladines, which
are, for the most part, markedly laid-back in typical International train links to serves excellent meals (tel. +33
Parisian style. It’s the entertainers who provide Paris are good; Eurostar 1 45 80 70 10).
more risqué fun: from a gay mariachi band – men (www.eurostar.com) serves the Where to Stay
in fake moustaches wearing pink tutus – to UK via the EuroTunnel, with a Résidence Lord Byron is located
2 ½-hour journey from London’s
cheerleaders in giant squirrel costumes. two blocks from the Champs-
St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord.
Your 26-mile (42-km) tour takes you past On the morning of the Elysées (www.escapade-paris.
some famous Parisian landmarks, including the marathon, the nearest Métro com/fr).
Place de la Concorde, Rue Rivoli, Place de la Bastille, station is Charles de Gaulle Budget per Person per Day
and Avenue de Versailles, ending up back near the Etoile; if it’s too packed, try Approximately US$150,
Argentine or George V. including food, transportation,
Arc de Triomphe. and accommodations.
Here, at last, you can stop, enjoy the free Where to Eat
If you are planning on eating Website
massage, and wait while your loved ones do their
out, go for the plat du jour www.parismarathon.com
ABOVE Athletes racing out of the Alma Tunnel in Paris own jostling through the pack to find you.

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