Donna, Sallie, Mrs G & T go to Paris

“I hear they sell lovely pastries in Paris” Decision made, Paris Half Marathon it is then.

Always a great basis I think for choosing a race.

So off we went to Bristol for our flight to Orly, Paris. Being cheaper and less busy than Charles de Gaulle, it was easy, convenient, and just a €35 taxi ride to the city.

The important stuff first: the pastries were indeed lovely as were the French baguette, cheese, and the warmed wine we stumbled across at Montmartre. It was on our first evening after dropping our bags and visiting the smaller than expected Expo, we headed up the hill to visit the Sacre Coeur. It was quite something especially in the early evening light. What a view over Paris, and our first glimpse of the Tour de Eiffel. There are 250 steps to climb and run up to Montmartre. We being athletes, of course, walked and ran rather than taking the funicular.

The next day, to both see the sights and save our legs, we took the Hop-on-Hop bus tour around the city. We enjoyed it so much that after one full circuit we got off, had some lunch and got back on for another lap. 

Now to that other business – running. The race was extremely well organised. The water stations which offered cake, chocolate, bananas, nuts and raisins - a bit more interesting than gels and power drinks – were very much appreciated. The route was great with quiet sections through wooded parks and more lively neighbourhoods with encouraging supporters and bands a plenty all the way round. It was billed as a fast flat course; I would say slightly undulating towards the end. Lovely bling, T-shirt and boot bag for your trainers. 

All in all, we really enjoyed our trip to Paris. Couldn’t find fault with anything and probably one of my favourite halves to date. 

The pastries had no bearing on that last statement whatsoever!

Mrs T, AKA Lindsay Tilsley