“Running my first Marathon, born from friendship”
On June 1st, Liliane Vaslin will run her first full marathon at the 5th edition of the Congo River Marathon. In this conversation, she reflects on her unexpected journey into running, what Kinshasa gave her, and why this race is more than a personal milestone—it’s a tribute.
Can you tell us a bit about your current mindset and what brings you to this new challenge?
II'm currently on vacation in France, and I took a moment to realize something rather unexpected: I'm going to run my first marathon. It's still a bit surreal. A few months before my final departure from Kinshasa, I decided to take on this challenge—before leaving.
How did your story with running begin?
My story with running began, quite simply, with a story of friendship. I’ve always enjoyed taking care of myself. In my youth, I was more into sprinting. Endurance running never appealed to me—it seemed monotonous and frankly, beyond what I thought I could do. With the demands of family life and work, I turned instead to gym classes, step, or fast walking.
What shifted for you in Kinshasa?
When I arrived in Kinshasa, I found it difficult not being able to walk freely outdoors. That’s when I met Arianna. She invited me to run with her. We’re the same age, both mothers of three, and living similar rhythms. We didn’t sleep much, but we would meet early in the morning to run—first 3 km, then 5 km. It became a routine, a space of connection and growth.
Was there a moment where you realized: “I’m a runner now”?
Yes, the day I ran 10 km without finishing exhausted, with energy still in reserve. And above all, after the half-marathon: not only did I not collapse in bed, but I even spent the evening of the Italian national holiday perched on heels. That's when I realized I had become a real long-distance runner.
What has surprised you most in this journey?
What surprised me the most was seeing that you can actually set goals and achieve them. First the 10 km, then the half marathon... And then there's this challenge I'm about to take on: I still have trouble believing I'm going to do it. I can still see myself saying, with certainty, that I would never run a marathon. But today, the half marathon has become "easy" for me, and that's precisely what pushes me to go further.
You’ve already completed shorter races—how did that unfold?
Yes, after training together, I signed up for my first 5K, then a 10K. Eventually, one year later, we ran our first half-marathon. I couldn’t believe it. And yet, we did it.
And now, you’re preparing for a full marathon. What’s driving you?
Arianna has since moved away. And as I enter my last year in this country that has touched me so deeply, I’ve decided to run the marathon—for her. For my friend Séléné, who became like a sister. For Alyson, who encourages me. For my husband, Emmanuel. And for my children—Conrad, Alexandre, and Camille.
How has your training been going so far?
I’m continuing to train even while on vacation. I’ve been consistent, and I’ve attached proof of my progress.
What do you think you’ll carry with you on race day, beyond the kilometers?
I will take with me the smiles, the encouragement, and all the doubts I managed to overcome. Each step will be a silent thank you to those who carried me this far. This marathon will be my goodbye to these four full years—sometimes hard, often beautiful. A way to turn the page, in my own way: by running.
