Didier CAZALA's Staging Area

Running White Nights Saint Petersburg Marathon, remains the best way to discover this city steeped in history.
It’s a fantastic privilege to start and finish this marvelous marathon in the heart of Saint Petersburg on Palace Square (Dvortsovaya Ploshchad), a stone’s throw from the emblematic “Winter Palace”, seat of the famous “Hermitage Museum” “. The regular and flat course will take you along the Neva and the city canals. The architecture of historic palaces and typical neighborhoods will accompany your stride. This 2018 edition will bring us stormy weather with heat, sun and a single “shower”, which for me will arrive at the 37th kilometer. This marathon Sunday will also be the scene of a great military parade on the Neva, as well as in the air of Saint Petersburg. The last two kilometers of the course will remain an excellent memory with the fervor of the spectators and the magnificent panorama of the banks of Neva and Hermitage Palace.
A marathon to advise for all globetrotters runners, art lovers and tourism.

The Middle East still offers the opportunity to run in January, a marathon under acceptable temperatures to avoid the European winter. The marathon of the Oran capital allows to discover, from another angle, that of the architectural modernity of the “White City”.
The course is fairly flat, and crosses both the residential areas of the Marina Al Mouj (The Wave), construction areas, a golf course and the waterfront for several kilometers.
The organization of this event with several racing formats, tends to democratize running in the Sultanate.
Finally, the Friday marathon takes place, on both sides, of the Marina Al mouj, with 2 loops on a ground sprinkled sometimes bitumen, autoblocants paved, and dirt way trail running.
The start is in the twilight of the dawn, with this year more than 20 minutes late, which will not bode a great performance for each of us on the end of the race. Indeed, the latter finished with ten kilometers of sea front under a blazing sun, without shade but with a welcome breeze.
The finish line on the Mall of the Marina will be the reward of this marathon with an organization of the event at the height of the warm welcome of the Oranais, medal, Tshirt, food and drinks at will and many animations around this festival of the running.
A race to recommend to all those who want a change of scenery, and discover a new country, another culture, and share the sweetness of life and hospitality of the Oran people.

The New Yorker dream for a Frenchman in search of his Six Stars medal.
What a wonderful autumn day to return to New York and get an appointment with my destiny as a runner on the finish line.
It is always a real celebration to participate in the most emblematic marathon of the planet.
In the company of my fellow Gerard, we crossed the 5 boroughs in incredible fervor and a shared fraternity. What a joy to cross the Queensboro Bridge and climb up the first avenue towards the Bronx. And that lactic acid that accompanies me on the Central Park up and down.
But Columbus Circle is in sight and the delivery is close, and the prospect of winning 2 medals on the same marathon tenfold my determination.
It is there, I cross the finish line and I become, on this sunny Sunday, both World Marathon Majors Finisher and Seven Continents Marathon Finisher.
A great pride for a “simple marathon runner”.

Memorable atmosphere throughout this hilly course. What a wonderful “Patriots’ Day” between Hopkinton and Boylston Street in Boston.
A very special day with this touching popular enthusiasm, to encourage all runners. Favorable weather conditions from the sunny streets of Hopkinton.
I will keep in mind this unique brotherhood of runners, spectators, not to mention all those volunteers willing to help us and support us at all times.
The race was very difficult for me, a delicate preparation for a hilly route with a headwind, but what a joy to lead on Boylston Street and cross the finish line of the 120th Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon will remain a wonderful memory for my 5th WMM with this iconic race, birthplace of the marathoners of “modern times”.

The most improbable marathon I ran, and best trip of my life.
An unforgettable experience and encounters with runners of all nationalities with special profiles and trajectories.
Not to forget the proximity with unspoiled nature.
A race and a trip out of time.