“When I added finishing a Half marathon to my 2025 goal list, it seemed like a no-brainer to sign up for this race.”

Thibault Thomas a Physical education teacher at the Lycée Prince de Liège in Kinshasa and a coach in several disciplines: football, tennis, padel, and personal trainer.

Hello Thibault! Can you introduce yourself in a few words for those who don't know you?
Hello, my name is Thibault Thomas, I'm 31 years old and Belgian. I've been a physical education teacher at the Lycée Prince de Liège in Kinshasa since August 2023. Since I was little, I've been passionate about sports: I started with soccer and tennis, and more recently, I've become interested in padel, golf, bodybuilding, and running.

I also coach several sports: football, tennis, padel, and personal trainer. For me, sport is much more than a physical activity: it's a true school of life, carrying beautiful values.

I'm passionate about everything related to sports, health, and wellness, and I'm always looking
for new challenges, whether personal or professional. In fact, I'm working on a project in Kinshasa that will launch in a few months.

When did you start running regularly?
I've always done a bit of running through the sports I play (football, tennis), especially
during early season preparations. But I really started getting into it seriously about 8 months ago.

What was the trigger or motivation that made you start running?
The turning point was the 5K race organized by the Congo River Marathon last October. I decided to participate with a colleague. After several discussions, we set ourselves a new challenge: to run the half marathon on June 1st.
And then, I've always wanted to run a marathon. There's a big difference between saying it and doing it (laughs), but this time, I'm going for it, and the half-marathon seems like a great first step.

Will this be your first ever half marathon?
Yes, it will be my very first! It's a big personal challenge that I decided to take on this year.

How did you hear about the Congo River Marathon?
By colleagues from LPL in Kinshasa who had already participated in previous editions.

What motivated you to register for this 2025 edition?
As I said, running a marathon has been a longtime dream of mine. And when I added "finishing a half marathon" to my 2025 goals list, it seemed like a no-brainer to sign up for this race.

It takes place in Kinshasa, where I live and work. I want to show that sport has its place here, and to be part of this wonderful local adventure.

How do you prepare for this 21.1 km distance?
I follow a training program consisting of three running sessions and two strength training sessions per week. I vary my workouts between long runs, interval training, and strength training.

I also pay attention to recovery, stretching, and maintaining a balanced diet.

What is your personal goal for this race?
First and foremost, finish the race ! And if I can, I'd like to go under 2 hours.
I will also be competing in a padel tournament in Kinshasa that weekend, so I won't be giving it my all in order to recover quickly.
But deep down, what I want most is to be proud of my preparation, my commitment, and to live this experience to the fullest.

As a PE teacher, how do you pass on this passion for sport to your students?
I think I convey this passion through pleasure and fun. Without that, it's difficult to motivate young people, especially today with all the distractions they have.
have.

I show them that sport can be a real source of well-being, of self-improvement, not just an obligation.

I encourage them to find an activity they enjoy, to try new things, and to believe in themselves. And when I tell them about my own challenges, like the half marathon, some of them are interested!

In fact, several students will be running the mini-marathon this year; it will be their third race. What a pleasure to share a 5 km run with your students!

You're also a tennis and padel coach. Do these disciplines help you in your preparation?

Yes, they help me especially with endurance, coordination, explosiveness and agility.
Varying my disciplines also helps me avoid monotony. For me, it's essential to keep training fun.

Do any of your family members or friends run too?

Not really in my family, except for my dad from time to time. But they've always supported me in all my sports, and that's something I really appreciate.

In my circle, yes, I have a few friends who run, some of them at a very good level, even internationally.

What is your favorite moment in a training or race?

The moment when I "float ," that feeling of being in a bubble, where everything aligns: body, breath, mind. It's a real moment of well-being.
And then of course, the pride after the effort, when you say to yourself: "I did it."

What is your biggest challenge in your preparation? And how do you overcome it?

The biggest challenge is consistency in my workouts. I probably should have planned only two running sessions per week, because with classes, padel matches, golf, the gym... it's sometimes hard to combine.

But lately, I've decided to reprioritize running, and now I'm following my program the way I want to.

I also need to manage the increase in volume well, as I'm still a beginner runner. It's essential that my body keeps up to avoid injuries.

A word for those who are still hesitant to register?

Go for it! No matter your level, age, or experience. You're never completely ready for this kind of event, but signing up is already a big step forward.

A challenge like this changes something inside you. The atmosphere, the journey, the challenge... it's an experience you should experience at least once in your life.

And finally: how are you feeling as the race approaches?

Excited and above all motivated ! I can't wait to get going and make everything I've set out to do a reality. I'm a little apprehensive because of some recent minor pain, so management will be important.

But I especially hope that this half-marathon will only be the beginning of a long series of races to come!