Created in 1979 by André Giraud, who fell under the charm of a breathtaking landscape, Marseille-Cassis welcomed just over 700 runners at the start of the 1st edition organized on Sunday, October 28, 1979. this race where the popular and convivial spirit rules welcome every year more and more enthusiasts. They are now nearly thirty times more numerous in the space of four decades ...
Each year, many "lap time addicts" or simple runners, anonymous or high level runners are initially to launch on this unusual race of 20 kilometers in the heart of the Calanques National Park, nestled between the bay of Marseille and the bay of Cassis. Space of exceptional beauty, the Calanques are also the domain of a biodiversity that is both rich and fragile. Running in these places is an invitation to the greatest respect for nature and the adoption of virtuous actions.
A real popular event with a festive spirit, Marseille-Cassis has become, over time, a must-attend event, both part of the local heritage but whose fame and recognition extend to the international scene. A recognition confirmed for 5 years by the highest authority of athletics since the International Federation has awarded the Provencal event the "Silver Label" of road races, ranking Marseille-Cassis among the 50 greatest races in the world.
With family and friends, in a spirit that combines solidarity and competition, run from 18 to over 80, bringing together men and women from all professional backgrounds, the event is today a great multicultural gathering and intergenerational.
Behind the visible face of Marseille-Cassis, co-organized by the SCO Ste Marguerite and the City of Cassis, nearly 800 volunteers often work in the shadows and spare no effort to make the event a success . On all fronts and at all positions, men and women of all ages are active upstream, during and after the race to coordinate the many sectors of the event. From safety, to supplies through the locker room or the distribution of bibs and departure as the arrival, volunteers are one of the great forces on which Marseille-Cassis is based.
The longevity of Marseille-Cassis in the landscape of running in the passion that drives runners, volunteers, organizers and the support given to its partners to make Marseille-Cassis the unavoidable road race.
Dossard picked up:
Carboloading with the guys the night before:
All together before the start:
On the way to the start:
Queuing:
Watching earlier waves start:
Time for me - last 9th wave, no pacers. At least managed to get to the relative front of it:
First 10 km is just a constant climb to Col de la Gineste:
With views:
Once the 10 kms is done, and the Col is reached, starts the fas part of the course:
Flying down and trying to avoid slower folks leaves no time for pictures.
Perhaps just for the charity Vikings:
All that to finish underneath 1:45, with the official time of 1:44:29 (yes, I\ve run as Issam).
Queuing for the navette back to Marseilles:
