77.20km – 9H27’
Altitude : 78m
A mist descends and hugs the asphalt and at the start we see Jacky de Saint-Paul. Jacky ran with us during the stage which went from Dieppe to Bec de Mortagne in the Seine-Maritime Department last October. He came to see us and to run the entire stage, with his Marsupilami hooked to his camel bag.
Catherine and Jean-François joined us just after the start. Christian drives in the morning, then Catherine takes the wheel and Christian runs in the afternoon, whereas Jean-Francois runs the whole day. They have their own organization and are as discreet as usual! This evening we have made arrangements to have dinner with them so we can have some time to talk.
What can I tell you about Serge, who is advancing like a cannon ball. The terrain is relatively flat and “Forest” is running. Between you and me, the time we have to communicate is reduced or almost inexistent. I have not been able to ask him if he is in pain, if everything is OK and I must say that while these questions are not taboo, it’s no use asking because I already know the answer: “I am tired and I hurt all over”.
At 4:30 p.m. Serge has a meeting on the road near the Amiens-Glisneary airfield and I have the pleasant surprise of seeing William with a group of runners who were with us in Poitiers and Mont de Marsan. William sent us a lovely gift, a poem entitled Puss in Boots (Figaro):
Serge, my master,
While curled upon my cushion, I purr
And you are running on roads which seem to go so far,
For thousands of kilometers around the European Union.
And all the while I am without my mistress
And yearn for her caresses.
From Norway, the country of salmon
Will you bring me some?
The finish took place in the sunshine, in front of the City Hall of Amiens. Thanks to Ludovic, president of the CJD chapter of Picardy and his team, for this finish in the capital of the Somme Region.
We greet Gérard and Nicole, who live near our district and who did not come empty handed. Arlette is also here after a six-week absence. She has found her sweet and tender Daniel, who will leave us tomorrow.
Tomorrow we head for Beauvais, for more encounters. It’s a race which is shared without moderation!
We have received an e-mail inviting Serge to participate in a rather special run Sunday morning.
Dear Friends,
She was running tranquilly Sunday evening in the Marcquois countryside in preparation for the half marathon of Marcq. Her body was found in “terrible” condition in the woods of Phalempin, 20 km from here. She was carried in the trunk of the car of a man sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape, who was released after 6 years and who confessed to the crime. He name was Natacha and she worked for Décathlon Campus.
My wife and I and dozens of people run around here and I hope that we men and women will be able to continue doing so. I would like to say “stop” to the judges’ mildness and to be able to say to Natacha’s family (whom I do not know) that we are on their side and cannot accept this.
In remembrance of this young girl and as a tribute, I have decided to run on Sunday morning from the Marquette stadium to Septentrion and back, wearing a white t-shirt, symbolic of hope, and a black arm band in mourning, in the hope that it is not the mourning for sports in nature or for us, men who have gone mad.
If you are as touched as I am by this terrible tragedy, join me or have a thought for humanity, which is adrift.
The Start will be at 10:00 a.m. from the Haut Touquet Stadium in Marquette to Septentrion, via Domyos to carry our message and return (approximately 10 km return)
Didier
Serge cannot join this tribute but our thoughts will be with the runners Sunday morning and if you live near Marcq en Baroeul, don’t hesitate to join them.
Town : Amiens (Somme)
GPS : N 49.53’62.4° E 002.17’73.0°