Monday, April 06, 2009

Paris Marathon 2009


It's not usual for me to set my alarm clock to 7:30 on a Sunday morning, but I really did not want to miss the Paris Marathon. I really look up to all these people who run so long in so little time (and I'm not even thinking of the winner, Vincent Kipruto, a 21 year old Kenyan who ran the 43 km in... 2 hours, 5 minutes et 44 seconds!). Of course running through the empty streets of Paris must be a special treat, but still! Anyway I took this photo in a tunnel on the river banks; I love the effect. Check this little Animoto for more.

42 comments:

  1. What a graceful shot, Eric! The light, the motion, the runner... all the elements are just beautiful.

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  2. This is a wonderful shot Eric. Especially the light in it, adding to the motion.

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  3. What a wonderful effect! I do love it! I heard about this young kenyan on the radio, quite amazing. Some people are really gifted.
    Et cette coureuse a vraiment la classe...

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  4. Watched the Marathon here in the UK - including the appalling incident with the pacemaker and the guy on roller blades.

    One day I will get to see it live!

    Eli
    x

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  5. Great photo, rare on Les Quais. Very derserved given the 7.30... Cheers, Loic http://brohardphotography.blogspot.com

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  6. I love the effect too, Eric. Thanks for waking so early to get this photo. Colors are so striking and the motion as cool as those shoes. ;-)

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  7. This is gorgeous! Also love the blurred effect.

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  8. Woo-hoo—what Coltrane said! I love that both of her feet are off the ground. Thanks, Eric, for getting up early and sharing this with us.
    I have a friend at work who runs marathons (healthy reaction to a minor mid-life crisis) and he says the Paris marathon is the best—hey, for starters, it's in Paris!

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  9. Oh, this is absolutely gorgeous. A must for next year's calendar I think, Eric!

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  10. I really like this shot. Great effect, wonderful colors. I like the background shadows.

    Just FYI, everyone: Happy birthday to UK Lynn!

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  11. Well it was all a blur to me too at 7:30am Sunday morning, but after reading the news, I now know why they were early and quick. The inside scoop from the International Herald Tribune:

    6 April 2009

    Runners of the Paris Marathon this year had an extra motivation driving them to the newly moved Finish Line this year. It seems that organisers had wind of a special birthday in Cheltenham, England where the infamous PDP commentor 'Lynn' (she provides no last name for fear of attention from paparazzi) is celebrating a birthday today so therefore had to start a little earlier today. When asked what was all the rush, winner Vincent Kipruto of Kenya replied, "You've obviously never tried her pudding!"


    Happy Birthday Lynn!

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  12. Very dynamic photos. I agree that the dedication of this sport is very impressive. Marathon runners truly are great atheletes.

    (The music in the Animoto cracks me up. The theme of women loving "trailer trash" guys is sooo true these days in the U.S. I'm not sure how it relates to the marathon.)

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  13. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LYNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Of course this day in April everybody would wake up painfully early and run as fast as they could... all this to wish you a happy birthday and hurry up to get to your party at Cheltenham asap!

    :))

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  14. This is really a great photo. I love the action and the colours, and she seems all alone and yet in the animoto we can see she's not, very well done !!!

    AND Happy Birthday LYNN !!!!

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  15. What a fantastic shot Eric. The way you captured movement and colour is fabulous!
    Hey Lynnie...
    Happy birthday! Hope the card arrives on time :)

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  16. LOL Michael!!!!!!!


    Happy Birthday Lynn. You know what I've wished for you!!

    Hope it comes true ;)

    Fantastic shot Eric.

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  17. Happy birthday, Lynn!

    Michael, your press release is great fun ;-)

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  18. Eric, wonderful capture. Can I make a request, I would love to see some images of 'murs vivants' in and around Paris?

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  19. Wha a great shot, Eric. Well done for getting up so early. We had the Monte Carlo marathon and looking at your photograph makes me wish I'd got up too although it would have entailed an 11 kilometre drive - and the photo wouldn't have been as good. I really love this!

    Funny Michelle has asked for images of the murs vivants. Me too. I've read about them, seen a television programme on them and think they must be spectacular to see. Perhaps you've already featured them, Eric, and I missed them?

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  20. Oh, that's beautiful, Michael!

    Happy Birthday, dear Lynn ~ I'll bet you look dashing.

    It's a wonderful photo, Eric, full of motion and vitality.

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  21. I can honestly say that runnning a marathon through the empty streets of a city (Chicago) is definitely a treat! Thank You, Eric, for the photo of the marathon runner. Next to the Eiffel Tower my running shoes provide me much solace.

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  22. Thank you thank you Everyone! Merci! Je suis demi siecle aujourd'hui......zut alors! Today I am 50. OMG. There. I've said it. It's out. No Shell I don't look dashing but FEEL more dashing for you having said it! Thanks All for these wonderful wishes. There's a virtual party going on at my blog today in the comments box - nothing much on the post but when you go in there, it all comes alive! he he... you're all invited and do bring whatever virtual idea you choose to make the party go with a swing.
    What a funny world we all inhabit here and isn't it wonderful!?

    Michael your press piece had me giggling and feeling so delighted! Love it!

    Rose your 'card' arrived thank you and quite swept me off my feet x

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  23. In honour of yesterday's conversation about 80s fashion, here I am in the 80s. LOL. Much better than a pic of me today at 50. Ooooh nooooo! So - how about the rest of you? Brave enough for an 80s pic are you? Come on! It's my birthday! :)

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  24. Happy Birthday Lynn!! That deserves a glass of bubbly. I hope you are enjoying your celebration.

    Eric, I was blown away by this photo. You've managed to whittle the world down to brown and grey with a splash of yellow. Your eye just gets better and better - this composition is fantastic! Merci.

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  25. Super image Eric, Bravo!! My daughter runs marathons . I can't for the life of me figure out WHY! A Kenyan won the Birmingham Mercedes Marathon recently. They are amazing athletes. Moi? I prefer to stroll the streets of Paris stopping every few minutes for a photograph or a sip of vin. In about seven weeks, I'll be doing just that!
    V

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  26. Wow, I've really missed seeing your pics Eric. Not because you weren't there, but because I was too busy! So great to pass by your site again and see you're just as creative and sharp-eyed as ever.
    Sab

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  27. ET Suzy, circa 1987, just for Lynn.>>

    All permed up and ready for Hammer Time.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TWINNIE!!

    I LOVE this photo, Eric. The blur and the yellow make it spectacular!

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  28. LOL thanks Twinnie! Wow look at those curls! Fantastic. Who's next? :) Come on Eric...... how about it?

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  29. great shot Eric. Funny we were both at the marathon, you in Paris and me in Rotterdam!

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  30. Michael...too funny! Lynn ... Happy B-Day! You deserve a great day, non? ;-)

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  31. OK Lynn, joyeux anniversaire from me too, but you know I already thought of you on this very special day!

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  32. This really is a haunting image.It's the yellow, against her skin tone which is just dazzling.

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  33. Wow, that is a great shot, very luminescent with the yellow shirt and shoes. Lovely!

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  34. You did, Eric...(boast) :) Thank you for the email (oh yes girls the email I received from Eric) today. LOL. xx mwah!

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  35. It's a great shot! Running isn't for everybody, though (especially at that speed!) It's very high impact and not as "healthy" as people may think but I do look up to them as well for the effort and the endurance.

    Lynn: is there something you're wiling to share?

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  36. Awwwwwwwwwwwwww (just catching up with the thread now!) Leave it to Michael to come up with something so sweet and so clever at the same time!! You rock, man.

    Happy belated b'day Lynn!! Are you qualifying for senior citizen's discounts yet? ;)

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  37. LOL Tomate no I'm NOT! I have another 10 years before that thanks! Pah. Now I feel ancient. ;)

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