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Day: 1 February 2020

World Champion racing in Monaco Run 2020

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/02/2020

The 10,000 metre World Champion Joshua Cheptegei has confirmed he will be racing in this year’s 5km Herculis race next month.

The Ugandan runner will be joined by two other world-class racers, Frenchman Jimmy Gressier, who holds the European second place record for the 10km, and Liv Westphal, who is the current women’s French record holder for the 10km and 5,000m indoor races.

These athletes are looking to break the records established just last year by Sifan Hassan and Julien Wanders.

The two-day event covers four races. On 15th February, the 1000m series races will be held between the Route de la Piscine and the Quai Albert 1er. Entry is open to runners aged 8 and up of all levels and the races start at 12:30pm. 

On Sunday the 16th, in addition to the 5 km Herculis run, which starts at 10:15am, a 10km ‘City Trail’ run will be held, giving runners a chance to explore the streets and trails of Monaco, including a challenging climb up to the top of the Rock. The race begins at 8:30am sharp.

Last but not least, the Pink Ribbon Charity Walk for breast cancer awareness, now in its ninth year, will also be held. Participants are asked to dress in pink and be ready to go at 10am from the Running Expo.

Runners are asked to pick up their racing bibs from the Running’s Expo from 10am to 5pm on Saturday the 15th.  All races start at Port Hercule. Registration is possible on site Saturday, as well as online at www.fma.mc 

 
 

Travel after Brexit

by: Stephanie Horsman
01/02/2020

After three and a half years, Brexit is finally a reality. So what does that mean for travellers going to and from the UK?

The British government has revealed that come the end of 2020, UK travellers may be facing some tiresome changes when it comes to travel to the European Union.

Whilst nothing is set in stone as of yet, the UK has made fairly clear their stand and are advising citizens what travel will look like after the transition period is over on 31st December 2020.

The government website issued guidelines for travel and things UK travellers have not had to consider since 1973 are now back in play. No longer will British travellers be allowed to use the passport control lanes designated for the EU, meaning they face potential longer waits, and passports with less than six months validity could be denied, as well as passports older than 10 years.

“Roam like you’re at home” may no longer be applicable, leaving travellers with potential skyrocketing mobile phone costs whilst on the continent. Motorists will need to acquire special certificates to extend their insurance coverage, international driver’s licenses may be required, and European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC) may no longer be valid. This is particularly important for those with pre-existing conditions, as the EHIC covers these, but many travel insurance providers do not.

Travelling with pets will also be more complicated, as the EU pet passports will no longer be binding. The government is recommending pet owners plan up to four months in advance if they are considering bringing Fido on holiday.

There are talks that the UK could sidestep some of the travel headaches by being part of the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System, a waiver system similar to ESTA in the United States, where for a small fee, passengers from the UK can be pre-screened avoiding the necessity for visas, but the chances that the system will be up and running by year’s end are slim. Additionally, the UK being part of this system, is dependent on reciprocal preferential treatment given to EU citizens travelling to the UK.  

Though the chance does still exist that frictionless travel will continue between the EU and the UK, the signs at present are not pointing in that direction. UK travellers should brace themselves for long lines and more hassles.