Course des 4 Saisons heads into summer before the grand final

Organised by Amicale Val de Somme, the Course des 4 Saisons comprises four races spread across the seasons, just as its name suggests. Founded in 1980 by Jean-François Delassale, the race costs just €8 and continues to grow, fuelled by a 20 to 30% rise in participation across the Somme region. The 165th edition brought nearly 400 runners to Parc du Grand Marais on Sunday, September 7, with three formats on offer: the 5K découverte, the 10K joggers’ race and the 10K des As, reserved for runners capable of breaking 44 minutes, which drew around 30 competitors. The participants set off beneath a deep-blue sky, a few steps from Halle du Parc du Grand Marais, with the finish line just below it. Handy when the weather turns. Runners in the 10K had to complete three laps. Three opportunities to soak up the support of a crowd that turned out in force.

The people who keep the event running

“This isn’t a flashy race. People come here to run,” explains Course des 4 Saisons founder Jean-François Delassale. Four hundred runners set off in waves that morning. Sometimes the field is even bigger, as it is for the final, which attracts 700 runners, the maximum allowed given the narrow course. The president of organising club Amicale Val de Somme, Dominique Lazure, is delighted: “Seeing people happy is our reward.” “We were a little stressed because this was new for this edition,” admits the organiser and judge trainer, who introduced the new system. The three formats allow running couples to work around their family commitments, taking part in different races in turn. Born from a newspaper article about the creation of a new access road between the city centre and Étouvie in 1980, the race aims to be “accurately measured and timed, giving runners a benchmark from one season to the next, while welcoming beginners to the joggers’ races. It’s part of our history. We’ve always had an organiser’s streak. It’s always been a tradition within the club. This year, we have 100 more runners than last year. It’s early in the season and people haven’t really got going yet, so it’s complicated, but we’re seeing numbers rise across all the races,” the club president says.

“The race is accurately measured and timed. That’s important for giving runners a benchmark from one season to the next, and for welcoming beginners to the joggers’ races. This year is historic: we have 100 more runners than last year. We’re seeing numbers rise across all the races.”

© Reynald Valleron

An experienced organisation with a new approach

For this 165th edition, the organisers have introduced a new system: no more envelopes to hand out, timing chips to attach to trainers or return after the race. Everything is now built into the race bib, with the chip printed directly on it or stuck on during bib collection. Marie Dubuc, who has volunteered at Amicale Val de Somme events for 25 years, has moved to a new role. The retiree is no longer responsible for handing out chips. Instead, she scans the bib runners have just collected from other volunteers to check that it matches the right participant. That way, runners know their chip is working. “At first, I ran a little, then I started volunteering because I had health problems. We have great friends here and a good organisation. My husband and son run, so I go with them to other events and sometimes take photos. I enjoy meeting people, and they give as good as they get,” says the volunteer, who is always happy to lend a hand. “I scanned it three times, so I’m going to have three results,” jokes Arnaud Le Nezet as he demonstrates the system while collecting his bib.

Whatever the course, the bib-collection setup or the treats available at the aid station and finish, most runners come back regularly. Not necessarily for the summer edition, but more often for the grand final held in early November, when the 700-runner limit is quickly reached. Rodrigues Diamantino has just crossed the 5K finish line in 26 minutes. A M9 Masters runner who has been racing for nearly 30 years, he turned up for this season opener ahead of the French 5K Championship semi-final at La Hotoie. “I’m not dead yet,” he says with a smile as we approach him. “I’m 18,” he replies when asked his age. “You’ve got the numbers backwards. I’m 81. I started late, but I realised that it does me good physically, so I’m not going to stop just yet. Every now and then it hurts a little, but it doesn’t last long, and when you see the result afterwards, it feels good.”

© Reynald Valleron

A season opener balancing enjoyment and performance

The amateur 10K winner, Thomas Konieczkowicz, approached the race as a challenge. “I was accompanying a colleague who wanted to break 40 minutes, and I saw there was a race beforehand. I set myself the challenge of running both in under 40 minutes,” says the firefighter, delighted to have completed the double within the target time. In the same spirit, 10K joggers’ runner-up Sylvain Coindet lined up in all three races. “I do it regularly. It’s my long Sunday run, split into three parts. With the Albert Half Marathon next week and a marathon in October, it lets me get some volume in and push myself a little.” The final race often leaves him gritting his teeth, even if the 5K is always intense. “I’m getting a bit old, I’m 66, and there are always young runners who are quick. It’s hard to catch them,” he adds with a laugh. Julia Miannay, winner of the 10K des As, made the most of a few days in her home city to take part. “I live in Italy, and I took the opportunity to race while I was back. I arrived at midnight last night and I’m absolutely delighted to be here!”

Brahim Zouaoui won the headline race in 34:31, finishing well clear of the chasing pack. Representing his new club, Amicale Val de Somme, which he joined this year, he did more than simply turn up, producing an impressive run over a course that was far from fast. The French M2 runner-up explains: “I started training again a week ago. I took a month off, but this race is close to home, so I came to run my tempo here. Last week, I ran a comeback 5K in 17:09 on a fast course. My goal today was 34:20, and I ran 34:30 because the course is really tough.” He was not the only runner to find the temporary route demanding. Amiens runner Teddy Lenne, winner of the Jules Verne popular 10K last June and third in the 10K des As, was critical: “Compared with previous years, the course is too hard. There are far too many turns.” Charlotte Plouviez, meanwhile, who won the joggers’ 10K in 45:53 for the second year running, had a slightly different view: “It’s still flat, even though there’s a small climb that hurts psychologically because you take it three times. Thankfully, the crowd gives us incredible support. It’s pure enjoyment. I try to do it every year with friends; it’s become a tradition.” She plans to shake up that tradition next year. “I think we’ll try the 10K des As next year,” she announces brightly. Most of this edition’s winners will meet again on September 21 at Parc de La Hotoie for the French 5K Championship semi-finals.

➜ Find all the race results here.