GUEST BLOGGERS � Lausanne Marathon gets runner’s two thumbs up

by Kerri Walker

Ed. note: Kerri Walker, who ran the marathon, moved to the Lake Geneva region from new Jersey, USA, a few weeks ago.

This year marked the 18th running of the Lausanne Marathon. Marathon runners from over 60 countries and cities took off from place de Milan in Ouchy, Lausanne at 10:10 Sunday 31 October. Marathon runners enjoyed optimal conditions from start to finish, with just some headwind through Cully en route to the finish at the Olympic Museum back in Ouchy. the marathon course, composed of rolling hills, went out to La Tour de-Peliz at which point runners turned around to go back to Ouchy for a picturesque finish in front of the Lausanne Olympic Museum.

There were 1,163 men and 180 women running the marathon. the first male, Hailu Begashow (1984) of Ecublens in canton Vaud, finished in two hours 20 minutes and two seconds.

The first female, Di Marco Messmer Magali (1971) from Troistorrents, finished in two hours, 54 minutes, and 10 seconds. Prize money was given to the top five men and women finishers.

Geneva was well represented at Lausanne's marathon: about 300 Genevans raced last weekend. the highlights came from the 10km and marathon.

• Genevan Antonio Texeira (1956), who ran the marathon, placed first in his class of 205 men. His time was two hours and 51 minutes.
• Marc Baudat (1977) ran the 10km, finishing second in his class in 32 minutes and 50 seconds.
• Also in the 10km: Oliveira Narciso (1957) finished first in his class in 34 minutes 24 seconds
• Felfele Testay (1985) finished third in his class of 2,036 with a time of 30 minutes three seconds.

Lausanne and its people made for exceptional hosts to marathon runners. the night before the race, all runners and walkers were welcome to enjoy a complimentary pasta party held on the Lausanne paddlewheeler docked in Ouchy. Fuel was provided along the race course, with water, power gels, and powerade provided at 10 revitalization stations. Marathon runners were also fuelled by live music and enthusiastic spectators: “Hop! Allez!” they shouted to runners all the way to the end, in front of Le Musee Olympique. Runners could enjoy a free entry to the museum on marathon weekend. all who finished received a Suisse medal, and results of finishers were posted immediately.

For me, the Lausanne Marathon was especially memorable, being my first European marathon (I am from new Jersey and moved to Thoiry in France two months ago to work as an au pair). I ran three marathons in the US (Philadelphia, new York, and Miami). I try not to compare the marathons to one another; they are all different based on location and size of the race.

Lausanne stood out in my mind as the marathon with the beautiful scenery and traditional laid-back European Sunday atmosphere. the out and back course had an amazing backdrop of the mountains and lake. People waved and cheered along the streets and in their homes they shouted out the window. many kids got their hands clapped by runners. I soaked up the spirit of the Lausanne Marathon—I clapped hands, said “Merci” to the spectators, and smiled for the pictures being taken. I did not feel like I was competing but rather just out for a long, Sunday run in a beautiful part of Switzerland.

While enjoying myself, I managed to PR (runner's lingo for personal record) in three hours and 25 minutes. Ecstatic to have run so well, and feeling great, I went back to the finish just a half hour after my race to visit the Olympic Museum. I spent about an hour marvelling at the history of the Olympic Games then returned to see the results, already posted in Ouchy.

The Lausanne Marathon was very well organized and runners were excited to see the standings immediately. And to commemorate the weekend and the achievement, every runner's medal is engraved with a picture of the Lausanne boat where we dined the night before the race. From start to finish, the marathon was well organized and I was able to concentrate on my run and enjoy my time in Lausanne.

I give the Lausanne Marathon Weekend two thumbs up!

<a href="http://genevalunch.com/guest-bloggers/?p=772tag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://genevalunch.com/guest-bloggers/?p=772Wed, 03 Nov 2010 14:46:14 GMT 00:00″>GUEST BLOGGERS » Lausanne Marathon gets runner’s two thumbs up

cully, ed note, men and women, messmer, milan