Hoka Semi de Paris 3.10.2025- way to go Husband!

On our recent trip to Paris, my husband, David, competed in the Hoka Semi de Paris. David is 65 years young and this was his third time competing in the Semi. I’m so proud of him! He has competed in over 30 races in the past three decades, including 10 Marathons, and this was the pièce de résistance!

Semi de Paris, March 5, 2017

David’s first Semi de Paris was in 2017, on a cold, rainy Sunday morning. He had to find his way to the starting line, near Vincennes, knowing very little French. As the wife of a Marathoner, I have spent many hours on the sidelines, holding my sometimes drenched, frozen posters, cheering him on. This day was no different.

I positioned myself early in front of the Hotel de Ville waiting in the pouring rain. As this was our first Semi-Paris, I did not realize that nothing would be open early Sunday morning-no cafe to take shelter and warm up. No matter–cheering on the runners “Allez, Allez, Super, Super” — kept me full of adrenaline and anticipation that I would see David soon, amid the sea of 35,000 runners. What a wonderful moment when he rounded the corner, kissed me on the cheek, and rejoined his group.

Semi de Paris, March 10, 2019

David’s second Semi de Paris was in 2019, a beautiful, sunny day, not too cold, good running weather! The race started and ended on the Seine by Gare d’Austerlitz with 36,000 runners. Since this race was close to our apartment, I spent the early morning in the Latin Quarter attending Mass at l’Église Saint-Séverin, reading in Shakespeare & Company library, and enjoying a petit dejeuner in their Café. I then returned to my cheering station near Hotel de Ville.

Semi de Paris, March 9, 2025

David ran his third Semi de Paris was a few weeks ago on a perfect day—partly cloudy and a little cool breeze! This race had over 45,000 participants and began on Saint Germain-des-Pres blvd and ended at the Bastille.

From David’s perspective, running the Semi de Paris these past three times has been a memorable and unique experience because of the excitement from the thousands of spectators and getting to compete with runners from all over the world through the streets of Paris, surrounded by all its beauty and history.  David said that even though hundreds of younger runners flew by, he was able to hold his own and finish with a good time! A fun fact- at the refreshment stands they served cake!

Bravo David!