 |
| Centurions |
| History |
| Committee |
| President |
| Awards |
| Merchandise |
| News |
| Obituaries |
| Race walking |
|
About race walking |
| Rules |
| Training |
| Calendar |
| Events |
| Links |
race results >> St Thibault 2008
 |
The 24hour race
of St Thibault de Vignes is the latest addition on the
Paris-Colmar qualifying race circuit. St Thibault is an old Roman ville
on the banks of the Marne and only 15 minute drive from Eurodisney - so
getting there is just so easy by Eurostar. For old timers (in race
walking terms!) - it is close to Lagny sur Marne and Torcy and appears
to have taken on the race walking mantle where they have left off. Having got there by train, Sandra was supported by husband Richard SWC member Kathy Crilley, and literally out of the proverbial carrier bag! We set up shop close to the official feeding station - hijacking table and chairs from the close-by gym facilities. Immediately, the people on the feeding station came over and told us that any thing we wanted (whether for Sandra or ourselves) just ask/take. Indeed, when the heavens opened in the early hours of the morning they rushed over and grabbed our bags and took them (and us) to shelter in their tent. Now this was service with a smile! Merci beaucoup! Organised by Georges TAMBUTE, it would seen he had thought of everything. The Mayor set the race off, the course (about a 20-25 minute circuit according to Sandra's schedule) was in a park and therefore traffic free. There was provision for the "tent village" and there were local shops /restaurants/cafes close by and the gym provided toilets and even a bit of space to get your head down. What more could a supporter ask for? Sandra was at her best. Her main "rival" was Kora Bloufflert, the French 24 hour running champion, who was using St Thibault as a training event for the upcoming World 24 Hour Running Championships. In fact Kora is/was an extremely useful racewalker turned runner, having competed in many a P-C qualifier and PC itself, in her day. Kora set off at a cracking and aggressive pace and luckily Sandra just bided her time - quite rightly when you see the results. The last few hours were the most exciting race moments witnessed in a 24 hour race! Sandra having overtaken Kora, early Sunday morning, was fast closing in on the leading men! Richard & I were busily computing lap times of not just Sandra, but of her main contenders (well it did manage to keep us awake!). One by one, Sandra picked them off. In the last hour it would seem possible that Sandra might even catch Stephane and win outright. If only my maths were that good! In fact (sadly) Stephane "woke up" to the fact that Sandra was almost about to overtake him and his support team then turned out full strength to drag him round the last 60 minutes. Tant pis (as they say in France) another lap and Sandra would have clinched the title!! I have supported Sandra in lots of races (as well as competing in the same races) but I have to say, this was Sandra at her very best. Personally, I have never seen Sandra walk so well throughout an entire 24 hour race. When the thought that she might just beat Stephane and win, she just dug in and went for it. No moans, grumbles or complaints. Just a smile on her face. Parfait. It was a well organised race and the people, not just at the race but also the locals at the boulangerie, etc, were just so friendly. As with all the P-C qualifiers (except for Roubaix) they are now all 24 hours (raher than 200km) and all now have a relay race incorporated. The relay race is no doddle - it is a hotly contested prize. At St Thibault, elite athletes such as Sylvie Varin and Claudine Axionnat were competing. So come on Team Anglais!! report by Kathy Crilley
Ladies Results: Note: Sandra just 3 minutes (and closing) on the winner!
men:
|
