The Trocadéro 10K: Rainy, but still a celebration
© PhotoRunningOn Sunday, August 31, the 10th edition of the L’Hexagone-Paris 16 10K, renamed this year the Trocadéro 10K and included as the third race in the Paris Masters Circuit, proved a resounding success, with nearly 6,000 runners lining up just a stone’s throw from the Jardin du Ranelagh in Paris’s 16th arrondissement.
Right on 8:30 a.m., the race began on Avenue Raphaël beneath a light morning drizzle. Unlike previous editions of the L’Hexagone 10K, held in June in the heart of the Hippodrome d’Auteuil, sometimes under blazing sunshine and temperatures close to 30°C, this year’s race came with a few drops of rain and some welcome cool air for a summer event. “It’s the 10th edition of the L’Hexagone 10K, but the first of the Trocadéro 10K. It’s a participation record if we compare it with the old format,” explained Eric Schwartz, one of the event’s two organisers.
Originally scheduled for September 21, the race was rescheduled for organisational reasons. With the Paris authorities already committed to the European Heritage Days, they were unable to manage two events at the same time. In the end, the new date found its place in runners’ calendars, whether they were looking for a first 10K of the new season or building towards a half marathon or marathon. The change of date also suited last-minute entrants, who were scrambling to find a bib and join the party.
The entirely redesigned course took runners on a loop through the Bois de Boulogne, alternating wooded paths with broad roads around its two lakes. “We’re delighted, because the race was won in 29:52. When you’re lucky enough to have a runner break the 30-minute barrier, it’s extraordinary. Above all, we’re runners ourselves, so seeing an achievement like that at one of our races is incredibly rewarding,” said the man running the event on behalf of Sport Concept Organisation.
© PhotoRunningMustapha Salmi takes the win
Mustapha Salmi savoured his first victory in the capital. Cheered on by spectators and young volunteers, many of whom are loyal followers of the content creator’s Instagram account with its 146,000 followers, the Rouen native crossed the line in 29:53, just one second outside his personal best over the distance. The social media star announced his marathon goal in early July and has been sharing the details of his training ever since. He was delighted: “My legs felt good and there was a strong group. It was a fairly tactical race, and running a time like that in a race of this kind feels great.” Built into his training week, the race was intended “to get a bit of speed in” ahead of the Copenhagen Half Marathon on September 14. Despite a course that was “not easy, with no genuinely flat sections”, he took the lead at 7 km and never gave it up. “I mainly held the pace, I didn’t accelerate. In the last kilometre, I tried to lengthen my stride a little.” Wearing his usual winning grin, he signed off: “Now I’m the prince of Paris. That’s it, I’ve won.”
Augustin Cablant took second in 30:21, a result he had hoped for but could not take for granted, since he had no idea who would be on the start line that morning. “I wanted to make the podium, but you never know in advance. I was heavily involved for the first 6 km, putting in some big surges to break up the pack, and I paid for that a little towards the end.” A keen regular at the Boulogne-Billancourt Half Marathon , he was excited to race this 10K, which echoed his favourite half marathon. “I’m coming back from injury and starting my build-up for the 20 km de Paris. I wanted to see where I stood, and I’m really pleased.” The same target is in sight for Algerian runner Lounes Benamara, who will return to the start line of the Vredestein 20 km de Paris to improve on last year’s fifth place. Barely back from holiday, he entered the race just three or four days earlier thanks to a friend. “For me, the comeback starts tomorrow. I didn’t want to take any risks. I was back in the field, then gradually worked my way up to the medal.”
© PhotoRunningStrong women’s performances in a supportive atmosphere
Representing EA Cergy-Pontoise Athlétisme, Pauline Simon took the win in 34:22. “I wasn’t expecting anything because I didn’t know the race or which runners would be there. The goal was to put a bit of speed back into my training because I’m racing the Berlin Marathon in three weeks. I ran more or less the time I was aiming for.” After 5 km alongside Aude Korotchansky, she pulled clear to secure the victory. “That really helped me because I was struggling to find a rhythm.”
Following an injury that appeared in the middle of summer and had only recently cleared up, RMA athlete Aude took second in 35:00, marking a promising return. “I don’t live far away, I was here and wasn’t doing anything today, so I thought: ‘Come on, I enjoy running, so I’ll come and run.’” Like her friend Lounes Benamara, she entered at the last minute and enjoyed racing on her usual training ground. “It wasn’t particularly flat, but it’s already what I do here in training.”
Alice Michel of Zoom Volt Runners finished third, five months after giving birth to her daughter. “I got back into training properly this summer, with a few more sessions.” Back from Font-Romeu just two days earlier, she wanted to test herself ahead of the French Half Marathon Championships. “I had no idea where I stood. I was hoping to break 36:20 and ran 35:34, so I’m pleased.” A promising start to the season for the new mother, who never stopped running during her pregnancy.
© PhotoRunningA course immersed in nature
This new course, designed to mark the Trocadéro 10K’s arrival in the Paris Masters Circuit, proved popular with participants. In an almost autumnal atmosphere, runners crossed the Bois de Boulogne, followed the Chemin de Ceinture around Lac Inférieur, took Avenue de l’Hippodrome, and passed the Grande Cascade and Lac Supérieur. “Excellent,” exclaimed Raphaël, enjoying his first race experience. “It was beautiful, with all those leaf-covered paths. The final kilometres were tough, and my legs really felt it,” added the finisher, who had travelled from the Sarcelles suburbs specifically to run his first 10K.
The transformation of the L’Hexagone-Paris 16 10K into the Trocadéro 10K was a genuine success. Every generation came together with the same desire: to run through the streets of Paris. Many older participants took part, including eleven M7s, eight M8s and two M9s, all showing impressive fitness. Others, mainly in the senior category, were there to celebrate the start of the new season, with no interest in the competition and no personal best in mind. August 31 symbolically marked the end of the holidays, offering runners a chance to test themselves before the season properly got under way.