Amandine Petit conquers New York: her first marathon full of emotions!

Amandine Petit conquers New York: her first marathon full of emotions!

The anticipation is great: Amandine Petit, the well-known Miss France, is preparing for her first marathon in New York. Her decisions are firm, but she struggles with a lot of self-doubt during training. “Do you really want me to continue?” thoughts swirl through her head. Despite the challenges, Amandine doesn't let herself get down and is determined to take on her personal challenge.

The day before the big competition, she takes part in the “Check Out Run” in Central Park. Here she encounters the rousing atmosphere that surrounds this event. The moment when she discovers her name on the “Wall of Names” and hears the American national anthem at the starting line is particularly touching. These experiences make your heart beat faster.

The marathon in New York

The New York Marathon is not just a race; it is an experience. The route passes through all five boroughs - Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Manhattan - and begins on the impressive Verrazzano Narrows Bridge. Via Brooklyn and Queens the path finally leads to 5th Avenue and ends in Central Park. This year a very special record will be set beyond personal bests: the men's course record, set by Tamirat Tola, is a phenomenal 2 hours, 4 minutes and 58 seconds, while Margaret Okayo holds the women's record at 2 hours, 22 minutes and 31 seconds.

Amandine starts running with enthusiasm and manages the first 10 kilometers effortlessly. But after about 25 kilometers the fun is suddenly interrupted: side pain and heavy legs set in. But giving up is not an option - she turns to the encouragement and support of strangers who cheer her on and cheer her name on. In the end, she completes the marathon in a respectable 5 hours and 3 minutes and is honored with a medal that, in her eyes, is worth the crown of her Miss Pageant.

The dream of the marathon

“I achieved this achievement myself,” emphasizes Amandine proudly. Your first marathon in New York will be unforgettable. The thought of her first Dossard, the “Wall of Names” and the emotional finish line will stay with her forever. “I feel like a marathon runner,” Amandine continued. After New York, she has already signed up for the marathon in Paris and dreams of completing the six majors – an ambitious goal.

The numbers speak for themselves: The frequency of participation in the New York Marathon shows that many runners will take part in this spectacle again in the coming years. Will Amandine continue on the path? Time will tell, but she has already proven that she has what it takes to be a marathon hero.

More information about the New York Marathon and statistics can be found here: Dans la tête d’un coureur, Race Insight and Marathon statistics.