“Am I technically an Olympian?!”
When you think of Paris, twinkling lights and romantic evenings probably spring to mind, not a night marathon during the Olympics. Yet, the 2024 Paris Marathon Pour Tous offered just that. We caught up with runner and writer, Ali Ball, who took on this extraordinary challenge.
By Glorious
For the last three weeks we’ve seen the world’s most talented humans front-tuck and tumble on four inch gymnastics beams, sail through the raging waters of Marseille, and Olympic spider men and women scale walls at record speed. But on the penultimate day of the 2024 Olympiad, it was time for the mere mortals and pavement potterers among us to make history – I say pavement potterers, they’re formidable athletes. Inbound, the ‘Paris Pour Tous’; the very first Olympic marathon for all.
Hailed as a “torture test by design”, Olympic organisers have saved the most sadistic test till last. Ask Team GB’s Rose Harvey, who broke her LEG on the course (and fought her way through to the finish line). Even marathon legend Eluid Kipchoge, saw his bid for a third consecutive Olympic gold medal evaporate into dust just after the half-way mark of the race, where he decided to pull out with 25 km’s to go. The course delivered more drama than any other Olympic course, particularly with the blistering heat, hellish climbs and heart-stopping moments, like that gripping sprint to the blue-carpeted finish line between the Dutch Sifan Hassan, and Ethiopian world record holder Tigst Assefa, which saw The Netherlands through to victory.
Marathon’s are hard. Not just hard, but a test for one to exceed the 40% rule, a test to show that when you *think* your body is done, you’ve still got another 60% to give. For Olympians, it’s their job to see it through the torture test. For the laymen and laywomen among us, it’s something we voluntarily sign up to. You have to be a certain kind of crazy to take on the course piqued by coaches to “leave debris in the last few miles”. Let me introduce you to my friend, Ali Ball.
Ali is one of those people that came out of the woodworks from nowhere. She’s the girl that “just started running” and discovered a hidden talent (can’t we all be like that?). This hidden talent has seen her through to her 11th marathons, one ultramarathon (an incredible 220 km race across the African savannah), and qualified her for the world’s most prestigious race, the Boston Marathon. She’s determined to tick off every World Marathon Major, but before doing so, she was set to conquer the Paris Pour Tous. I caught up with Ali before and after the race to discuss the world’s first Olympic marathon for all.
When did you arrive in Paris? Given you’re about to run a marathon, are you following your usual pre-race rituals?
I was on an early Eurostar from London and arrived into Paris late Friday morning. My coach always plans me a 5k shake out run (easy pace) to turn the legs over the day before a marathon, so my first port of call was to get this done. I always think running is a good way to explore a different city, too, so I ran to collect my race bib and finished off by grabbing a baguette to start the carb loading! In general, I try to prioritise carbs two days before a marathon and minimise fibre/fats (no one wants to have to stop for the Portaloo mid race). I’ve properly ‘carb loaded’ in the past, particularly when I’ve been ‘racing’ (this basically involves hitting a certain amount of grams of carbs per day) but the marathons where I’m just running for the experience with no eye on the clock – like this one – I’m not so strict with myself. Other than that, I generally try to drink lots of water/electrolytes and not spend too long on my feet or in the sun. I also avoid alcohol the week of a race – a personal preference, but I like knowing I’m as hydrated as possible and it helps me sleep better.
Now I know you’re a foodie, where are you hoping to eat while you’re there? Are you tucking into a croissant or two?
Absolutely! Is there a better place to carb load than Paris? Bring on the pastries, sandwiches, crepes – you name it! I have been a little apprehensive about what to eat around this race, because I’m not used to running a marathon at 9pm in the evening. I usually just have porridge before a race. I’m planning on having a big breakfast, big carby lunch and then some other form of carb – probably baguette – at 7pm, a couple of hours before.
Are you watching any of the other Olympic events beforehand? (Or after for that matter)
I’ve been glued to the athletics finals on my phone! But in terms of in-person events, I’m heading to watch the women’s marathon on Sunday morning – if I’m not fast asleep. It’s an amazingly talented field so I’m super excited.
What’s your plan for race day? (e.g what are you eating for breakfast, where are you exploring in the day time, when do you need to get ready and head to the start line)
I’ll probably wake up around 8am-8.30am, have breakfast from the hotel buffet: pancake, pastries and toast (triple carb). Then I’m planning to head to ASICS House around midday to spend some time there/grab a bite to eat (AFTER: they had tomato pasta and fish so I ate that!). My plan is to eat some plain baguette and butter (nothing that will trouble my stomach) at 7pm, before heading to the start line for 8.40pm. My wave starts at 9.10pm so I’m hoping to finish between 12.30pm and 1am. Then, it’s really important to get carbs and protein in after a big race, so even though it’ll be the early hours, I’m going to try and hunt down a post-race meal before hitting the hay.
What are the requirements to make it into the Marathon Pour Tous? How do you qualify? (I know you got a PR spot, but what are the other options for entry?)
The only way to get in was via ballot last year – total luck of the draw for this one!
Do you have any unique pre-race routines or superstitions? (e.g. a lucky charm, lucky socks, have to click your fingers three times at the start line, etc
One of my pre-race rituals, regardless of whether I’m running for a time, is playing Heather Small’s Proud on repeat before a race! I’m not sure how it started but it’s just something I do now and it gets me in the zone. Otherwise, I like to braid or slick back my hair.
I know you love your early morning runs, how was it to race at 9pm?
It felt so odd – I’m so used to waking up early, having my usual pre-race breakfast and getting started. That said, I actually coped way better than I thought I would. I left my hotel at around 8pm to walk to my start pen, and then my wave set off around 9.10pm. I think the adrenaline had kicked in by then and I felt well fuelled and awake. Even during the race, I could see that it was gone midnight but my body was shouting at me to go to bed. Definitely full of adrenaline! It was also kind of cool to run in the dark – the route took us through a few tunnels and there was music and light displays in there which helped with the motivation. I actually wore my headphones thinking I would need music, but didn’t end up using them once.
motivation
Did you spot any celebs/athletes on the course (running or spectating)?
I actually didn’t, but I heard Mo Farah was running the 10k! Most memorable moment on the course and from your time in Paris? The first 3k was honestly epic – I didn’t expect the crowds to be so dense, people really did rally round to support! There was also a gorgeous sunset when we set off which made the first few kms go by really quickly. It was also amazing to see the Eiffel tower all lit up with the giant Olympic rings attached to it and I felt quite emotional running past it. From my time in Paris, though, it’s definitely Sifan Hassan breaking into a sprint in the final 100m and claiming her third Paris Olympic medal. What an icon.
How did it feel to be so close to the heart of the Olympics?
Really special. It was quite surreal in the sense that it was a once-in-a-lifetime event – there will never be another Marathon Pour Tous. I also got to sit in the grandstand at the Invalides to watch the women’s marathon the morning after, and having literally crossed the finish line myself only a few hours prior, I felt like I got to be part of something truly special.
Favourite part of the race? And what was the most challenging part for that matter!
This is going to sound quite sadistic (!) but I genuinely enjoyed the first set of hills. There was one at about 16k that went on for 2k, and another at 19k that was about 900m long. I’ve been really focusing on hill training over the past few months and managing to maintain my pace going up them made me feel so powerful. I was super proud of myself. I didn’t even hate the really savage hill at 28k (the one you’ve probably all seen on TV). This one was equivalent to putting your treadmill on a 10.5% incline and went on for about 600m. I walked it but didn’t mind in the slightest, as it saved my energy for the rest of the race.
The most challenging part was definitely the final 2k. I’d say I enjoyed almost the entire thing, but I hit a bit of a wall at the 40k mark. I think my body was low on electrolytes (there was only water on the course, no energy drinks, and I’d stupidly left my electrolytes in the hotel) so I started to feel a little unwell towards the end. A lesson for the next one on fuelling, for sure.
How does the race fare against other marathons? What’s been your favourite race you’ve completed?
It’s definitely up there with one of my favourite races – mostly because of how unique it is. How many people can say they got to run the Olympic marathon course during the night?! In terms of favourite races, I ran the Big Five Marathon in South Africa back in June which was equally epic (essentially a safari marathon) and the New York Marathon last November was really special too – I’ll never forget those crowds in Brooklyn. But my favourite race still remains my first ultramarathon in February. 220k over five days in Tanzania. It’s hard to put that experience into words, but the memories will last a lifetime and I got to run it in memory of my niece who was stillborn in 2023.
Will they be doing the same thing for LA28? Will you be running it?
Oooh – they haven’t announced anything yet, but how epic would it be if this became a legacy event at every Olympic games?! Sign me up!
How did you spend the rest of your time in Paris?
I ended up going to bed at around 2.30am after the race, and was up again at 8am to hit the breakfast buffet before heading to the finish line for the elite women’s race. It was epic – watching Sifan Hassan claim Olympic gold, after her bronze medals in the 5000m and 1000m, was just an incredible moment. Everyone was routing for her. Then, it was actually straight back to the Eurostar to travel home – a fleeting visit, but I’m so glad I got to be part of an amazing Olympic Games.
Quick fire questions:
Road or the trails?
Oh that’s really tricky. I think until this year I would have said road…but dare I say trails now?
Almond croissant or pain au choc?
Almond croissant every day of the week.
Best bakery you found in Paris?!
Not a bakery, but I had one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten from this place called Panozzi. Sicilienne style sandwiches. Unmatched. I did, however, discover my love for Pain Suisse au Chocolat – oh, and chocolate and pistachio swirls.
Solo stomp or run with company?
Solo stomp most of the day, run with company (2-3 people max) for a longer run.
If you could participate in any other Olympic sport, what would it be and why?
Tricky one…I think surfing is just so cool (if only I could actually stand up).
Dream running destination?
Tokyo. I’m desperate to go to Japan and it’s one of the World Marathon Majors I haven’t ran yet.
Desert island meal?
Starter: A Turkish-style mezze board: flatbread, baba ganoush, hummus, chargrilled peppers, artichokes, grilled honey-glazed halloumi
Main: A creamy mushroom alfredo with cheesy garlic bread
Dessert: Self-saucing chocolate pudding with extra thick cream
Keep up-to-date with Ali’s running adventures on social @aligoesrunning
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