On y va! Allez Molleeeeee!

These were the shouts of the encouraging spectators that lined the cobbblestone streets of the old town of Geneva last Saturday for the Course de l'Escalade - an annual running race that attracts thousands of people of all ages to enjoy mulled wine and vegetable soup on the streets, and even dress up for the evening's costume parade. These people converge over two weekends for exercise and festivities to celebrate the eve of December 11th/12th, way back in 1602, when catholic invaders attempted to scale the walls of protestant Geneva, but were held at bay by none other than a marmite pot full of steaming vegetable soup dumped onto their heads! In almost every shop in the city for the past few weeks one could spend as much as $100 to have their own chocolate version of the pot (this is Switzerland), filled with marzipan vegetables:


Personally, I'm waiting until December 13th when all the leftovers are on for half-price to sample this Genevan delight!

I was feeling a bit sick from the drizzly weather we have been having (and also after a night of "Rocking the Palais" for the UN Christmas party Friday night!), and spending about 7 hours outside in the cold between running my race and watching others didn't really help the situation. Yes, I am now sick again and had to cancel my day trip to Lyon for the Festival of Lights as a result :( Sorry Megan, but thanks for all the insider tips about the city - I will definitely visit Lyon before I head home!

The run itself was great fun, and I was lucky that a friend spotted me in the crowd of nearly 1200 runners in my category and got a few photos of me in action! I have to say the race was really well organized, and other than the gender discrimination, a great event. Yes, that's right - the course is a loop, and you do 2 laps if you are female and 3 if you are male - no choice. Because girls can't run as far as guys...?! I guess this is what was decided in 1602 and hasn't been reviewed since. Oh well, I finished my ~5km race in ~ 24 min so I was happy.