It has been 19 years since anyone has managed to erase the national reference time over the distance (42.195 km), established during the 2003 edition of the Paris marathon (2 h 6 min 36).

But Amdouni and Wanders do not hide their ambitions before taking the start of the race, scheduled for 8:15 a.m.

2018 European champion in the 10,000m, Morhad Amdouni affirms loud and clear that he wants to "get closer" to the record.

"It will be a difficult race in complicated conditions with cold, but I remain optimistic, he told AFP. The idea is to fight as much as possible and be at the forefront. while taking reference points with a view to the Paris-2024 Games."

Having just returned from a 17-day course in Kenya after winning his 3rd title of French cross country champion on March 13, the 33-year-old runner is in "great form" and feels "confident", according to his trainer Jean-Claude Vollmer.

Amdouni's objective is twofold: in addition to the French record, the native of Porto-Vecchio also hopes to secure his place for the marathon of the European Championships in Munich (August 15-21) by achieving the minimums set by the Federation. French athletics (2 h 14 min 30).

A priori a formality for the one who took the 17th position at the Tokyo Olympics and whose best time is 2 h 09 min 14.

“The set is interesting and the opposition will be strong with Ethiopians and Kenyans below 2:05 a.m., explains Jean-Claude Vollmer to AFP. That's not what scares him. Morhad is a warrior."

Annoyance

Amdouni will also have to be wary of Julien Wanders.

His case is very special: holder of dual Swiss and French nationality, the Genevan (26) evolves under the Swiss banner on the international level but has the European and French records for the half-marathon and the 10 km on the road. , just ahead... Amdouni, since all you need is a French passport and a license in a French club to appear in the national balance sheets.

A situation that has the gift of annoying Jean-Claude Vollmer's protege.

Swiss Julien Wanders, during the 5000m heats at the World Athletics Championships, September 27, 2019 in Doha (Qatar) Jewel SAMAD AFP / Archives

"I have no problem with him. The anomaly comes from the regulations of the Federation. It bothers me for all the young French athletes who fight daily to have partners, sponsors and who wear the jersey of the France team," he said.

But Wanders has never run a marathon, which casts doubt on his ability to match the time of “Benoît Z”.

"He may be in the basics of the French record, but he may be more careful than Morhad. He will discover the marathon, the supplies, the pain", considers Jean-Claude Vollmer.

The favorites for victory will rather be to be found on the side of the Africans with in particular the Kenyan Hillary Kipsambu, 3rd in 2021, and the Ethiopians Asefa Mengistu, 2nd in 2019, and Seifu Tura, winner of the Chicago marathon last year.

Kenyan Hillary Kipsambu (2nd d), during the Paris Marathon, April 14, 2019 KENZO TRIBOUILLARD AFP / Archives

Among the ladies (start at 7:59 a.m.), watch the two Ethiopians Yenenesh Dinkesa and Fantu Jimma, 2nd and 3rd in 2021, as well as the Namibian Helalia Johannes, bronze medalist at the Doha Worlds in 2019.

© 2022 AFP