The Paris-Mantes Walk

The annual race from Paris to Mantes la Jolie is held at night and is a real community effort. The villagers of Mantes are happy to take millions of steps in the race. The race is held over a distance of fifty four kilometers. The first walk was held in 1945 and the participants get stamped at the checkpoints along the way. They feel closer to the people when they walk with them. The people of Mantes give the walkers coffee along the way. All the village saucepans are used up to make coffee for the walkers. They make friends on the road.

The big night starts from Paris at 11:45 pm when the race begins. The seasoned walkers wait for midnight to start. Around twenty two thousand people go in the Paris-Mantes walk. It is more like a stroll than a serious race. 2 hours out of Paris is the first stop. All the sports clubs in Mantes are helping. They get into a party mood and walk around a speed of seven kilometers per hour. 35 Kilometers out of Paris and fatigue sets in. The walkers are in an altered state and are spread out over ten kilometers.

The Paris-Mantes walkers stop at regular cafes fro coffee. They enjoy the walk very much and some people do the Paris-Mantes walk every year. The walkers get served coffee, chocolate, and soup by the helpers at the pit stops. As day breaks 300 people will not finish the race. When the walkers arrive at Mantes la Jolie, they are all exhausted and lay around trying to get their breath back.

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