Paris Marathon: Mile 6

Out of the urban roads and into the greenery of Parc Zoologique de Vincennes

When you’re running a long distance, a change of scenery is often as important as anything else. Slogging your way through a number of miles with nothing changing – a bit like the scenery in a Tom & Jerry cartoon – draws out minutes and seconds painfully. And so the transition from residential buildings to open spaces and greenery should only be welcomed.

The residential buildings are gone and runners get their first sight of a park for the day.

With the 10km mark only a matter of metres away, it’s time to prime yourself to take on water and carbohydrates. It’s another course of raisins, oranges and bananas.

While I’m certain the organisers have thought about the perils of 40,000 runners and discarded banana skins, keep an eye on the ground. This is a marathon, not a cheap slapstick routine.