The Paris Breakfast Run

We had an absolutely fantastic and unforgettable trip to France. We did so many amazing things, when I try to pick one favorite thing, I just don’t really know where to start. Over the coming weeks, I want to share some of these experiences with you, because well they were amazing and you should share in the visual feast!

I would like to start the trip report not at the beginning, but rather with my personal accomplishment. As you may have guessed from the title, I ran in France, successfully checking something off the list. But I didn’t just run–I raced–in the Breakfast Run, the 5k for the Paris Marathon!

I found out about the Breakfast Run almost by accident–when I was researching the Marathon, I found out about this 5k the day before. It was free, you just showed up and ran and had a breakfast at the end. So mentally, I told myself I was going to do the run. But the morning of the race, when the alarm went off early after a day of aggressive park touring the day before at Disneyland Paris, I honestly wanted to roll over and go back to sleep, not drag myself out of bed then ride a metro across town to find the race. After a pep talk from Noel, I drug myself up and made it out the door, scarfing a handful of museli on the way out the door.

I am so happy I made it out that door! The Breakfast Run was a festive and fun event. It started in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower and ended up at the finish line of the Paris Marathon, on one of the boulevards that radiates out from the Arc de Triomph. An international group of runners lined up for the festive run, which was led by a DJ and a group of runners carrying the flags of Europe. We started out towards the Eiffel Tower, then crossed the river and headed up the hill to turn towards the Arc.

With about a half mile to go, we met up with the blue line–the official marker of the Marathon course. Then suddenly the road opened up and we were at the finish line! Once we crossed the line, a party was waiting. We were given bags with muffins, bananas, and water. People were handing out strong cups of cafe too. For a free race, the spread was impressive! And since Europe is practically soy free, I could eat away!

Noel met up with me at the finish line and we enjoyed the festive atmosphere before heading back to our hotel. Although this wasn’t my fastest 5k ever (this wasn’t really a race) it was probably my most memorable–running past the Eiffel Tower and across the Seine are probably right up there with running down Main Street USA at Disney.

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