I have heard the excuse ?I?m too old to run a marathon? too often. Even my father told me that I was too old to run one at 37 years of age! There are minimum age limits for the International Marathon of Mauritius, however, there are no maximum age limits. Two older marathoners set incredible world records last year in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Fauja Singh, at the age of 92, set a world record for the 90+ age group of 5:40:04. At the same event, Ed Whitlock at the age of 72 became the first 70+ runner to finish under 3 hours, finishing in 2:59:10. So think again. Or find an original excuse.

Week 7 is another recovery step-back week. This weekend?s long run is reduced from last weekend?s distance. If you are training for the half-marathon, your long run should be 10-km and your total week?s distance should be around 26-km.

This week I met with Joann Charlet, the Course Director of TEAM, to find out more about the event. Here?s the run down:

• Cost: The participation fee has been heavily discounted for nationals. The marathon and half-marathon will be Rs300 for Mauritians. The 10-km and 5-km races will cost Rs180. The cost to non-nationals is in line with international marathon fees. If you book during May, the cost will be 80Euros for the marathon; 45Euros for the half-marathon. These increase to 100 and 55 during June. If you haven?t booked yet, hurry up. The 10-km and 5-km races carry flat fees of 20 and 15Euros respectively.

• Run for a cause: ?Le Marathon du Coeur? or ?Marathon of the Heart?. Every Mauritian participant will earn Rs1000 for children?s charities. That?s irrespective of the race you run, so if you haven?t started training, join in the 5-km or 10-km run for a good cause. Don?t forget, you can walk!

• Registration: The last day to register for the marathon, half-marathon and 10-km race is Saturday 6th June. Don?t miss registration! Registration for the 5-km race is open until 9pm, Saturday 19th June. You?ll need an enrolment form, found in most newspapers, or contact TEAM. Race packages should be collected at the Marathon Expo held from Friday 17th June to Saturday 19th June, 10am to 9pm, at Caudan. The package will include your race number plus a bunch of goodies. Don?t forget to take your entry acknowledgement, ID card and proof of age.

• Age Limits: The minimum age limits are: 5-km ? 13 years; 10-km ? 15 years; half marathon ? 17 years; and marathon ? 19 years. There are no maximum age limits.

• Time Keeping: A ?Systeme de Chronometrage? will be used to record official times. A small gadget worn by each runner on his wrist transmits a unique signal. This is automatically recorded by a receiver at the start and finish lines. A deposit will be taken for the transmitter, or the runner?s National Identity Card. Deposits or ID cards will be returned at the finish line. The wheelchair category is first to start at 8:15am, then the marathon, half-marathon and 10-km start at 8:30am. The 5-km starts at 9:30am.

• The Course: All races start on the central Esplanade, Port Louis. The course heads towards Terre Rouge. The 5-km runners turn close to Roche Bois, returning to the central Esplanade. The 10-km runners turn near Terre Rouge, also returning to the central Esplanade. The remaining runners head through Arsenal, Moulin à Poudre to the coast: Pointe aux Piments and Trou aux Biches, where the half-marathon finishes. The marathon continues to Pointe aux Canonniers and Grande Baie. Runners turn towards Sottise, left to Camp Pavé and Cap Malheureux. The course then heads east towards Anse la Raie before turning back to Cap Malheureux, Pereybere and finally Grande Baie.

• Refreshment Stations: Water stations will be placed at the start and finish and every 2.5-km along the course. Sports drinks will be available every 5-km up to 25-km, then every 2.5-km to the finish. A drink will also be found in your race pack. Bananas, oranges and energy bars will be provided along the way, typically every 5-km after 25-km. Sponges will be available to keep you cool.

• Entertainment: The traditional ?Pasta Party? will be staged the night before the big day by participating hotels at Caudan. This is the final ?carbo-loading? opportunity. The cost will be Rs300. The event coincides with the Festival of Music, so the course is expected to be lined by entertainers to spur you along. The festivities continue into the night during prize-giving, held at Place d?Armes. The Bhojpuri Boys are included in the evening?s line-up.

• Transport: Runners? personal bags will be transported to the finish lines for collection. Transport will be provided to take runners back to the start, if needed.

• Volunteering: The logistics of organising such an event is not a small task. If you would like to volunteer to help in any way, TEAM would welcome you. Get involved: it?s all for a good cause!

<B>[email protected]

Contact : Team Events Ltd, Flic en Flac.

Telephone : 453-5701 Email : [email protected] Website: www.maratmaurice.com</B>