Tweet12-05-2011 om 20:08 by Amanda Potter

Last Sunday I ran in my very first 5K, one of the many events at the MaasMarathon held in the Belgian town of Vise, a French-speaking town just over the boarder. We placed well for a first time out, 71 out of 228 runners, and while it was hard work, it was lots of fun.

The MaasMarathon started at 9:00 am with no fewer than 700 participants, not including people running the half marathon, 10K, and 5K. Once the marathoners were on their way, my running partner and I settled in behind the starting line for our 9:30 am start. I was filled with nervous energy, but it was exciting to finally be trying a footrace. When the 5K started, we got up to speed very quickly and then struggled a bit over uphill sections at both the beginning and end of the race. Fortunately we survived and had enough fun that I’ll be doing it again!



Of course running in a mob of people may not be the best way to see Vise for the first time. Besides hosting the occasional marathon, Vise has a few museums and cathedrals, including the church of Saints-Martin-et-Hadelin which was built before 780 AD. Archaeology fans may want to visit the Museum of Regional History and Archaeology located in the Town Hall. For fans of firearms and crossbows, Vise hosts three “shooting” guilds, which maintain an irregularly open museum (Saterdays). Enjoy a relaxing wander about town and you could probably make a day of it.

Having seen a quick glance, I’d like to go back and check out the small park placed in the middle of Muese river which is accessible by a low bridge. We saw it on the run, but didn’t get the chance to pass through. Plus the “victory” eclair we bought in Vise says we have to go back some day for another one. Yum.

My next 5K will probably be the Maastricht Mooiste held here at home June 12th.

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