Right, I’ve just done something really random, I’ve entered a 10k race in Paris for ladies only in September. Why I didn’t enter something down the road is beyond me, but I need a bit of adventure in my life! Here is the race:
Apparently to race in France I need a signed medical form. I was wondering if the clever France residing Cmoi could shed any light on this? Thank you in advance 😊! I have to attach it as a file and email it back to them, so it would obviously be in English, so wondered if this would be an issue.
In the meantime, I imagine it would be a jolly jaunt for the weekend if any ladies here fancy entering too. sparky66 , you know you want to 🤣 …
Have a smashing rest of the day all!
Written by
Frenc
Half Marathon
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I managed to get my UK GP with a little French to sign my certificate. It does need to be stamped. The French like a stamp. Photo it and send it with the rest of your application.
Small wonder there are very few Parkruns in France.
Thanks HeavyFoot ! I found one online in English and French so everyone can understand it. I imagine my surgery will scratch their head a bit, but I’ll get there. 😊
Fortunately, the French authorities have been convinced that parkrun is not a race so the medical form does not apply, and I believe the results come out alphabetically rather that in time position (although it can of course be sorted on receipt). However, I understand there are lots of other obstacles, including the fact that volunteering is not so prevalent in France.
I don't understand why you say that volunteering isn't so prevalent in France Dexy5 ? Yes, many activities are organised in a different way from the way they are in the UK, and French bureaucracy is all-too-often a nightmare.
However, I've been volunteering for over 40 years and where I live, there are way, way more clubs, groups and associations than I ever encountered in all the places I lived in Britain.
I am so glad to hear that Cmoi. The impression I was given was that the parkruns that do exist are set up by British expats and also the volunteers needed to run them. Maybe it was a Paris thing.
I remember one HU runner ran a race in France and instead of a t-shirt at the end, they got running gloves. I do like that idea - you can only wear so many shirts.
Encouragement is always very much appreciated! Especially as it’s the first race I’ve ever entered. I was going to Paris for a short break anyway and I figured it would be a different way to see the city. 😊
The French are somewhat enthusiastic about getting medical declarations for almost every sporting activity. From a UK perspective we can see this as not particularly proportionate. Good luck with the event and I'm sure the form signed by your GP will suffice.
Thank you 00marks ! That’s what I’ll do. Going on line I’ve read about so many people who just filled the form in themselves and faked a signature. Some people made their own stamps as well! But I want to do it in the spirit of it, and I think the only stamp I have has Donald Duck on it or something 🤣.
I entered a 10k in France in 2019 (which annoyingly was cancelled he day before 😡). My UK GP refused to issue me with a certificate, even if I paid as it “isn’t something we do” so I ended up doing it online and a certificate was emailed to me. It was expensive though (£60)
Oh that’s annoying - after all that effort! I hope you still had a nice time in France regardless 😊. I’m not sure what reaction I’ll get at my surgery tbh. But it’s good to know there are other options out there. There are also private practices around here so I guess if my gp won’t do it, I can ask one of them. Thank you for replying! 😁🔆
We have a place in France and it was in our local town, so no real problem. I had been so looking forward to it though. A couple of people on HU have done La Parisienne before. It sounds like a brilliant race. Have fun 🤩
HI Frenc , I've been away with my Reniassance group all weekend so missed your post. Yes, you do need a signed medical certificate saying that you're fit to run in a race. You're right to not consider faking one. I printed off an online one and my French GP signed it for me, didn't even charge! I'll message you.
The weekend went very well thanks Frenc , though today has been a succession of unexpected hassles which needed urgent responses. And I'm mostly retired!
Oooh how exciting sparky!!! I can’t wait to read all about it!
My own GP here told me about the rule in France and he thinks it’s a great idea and we should do it here too. Sorry, I can offer no help on the process.
PS I just watched the film “French Kiss” again recently as it popped up on my listings. Although I’ve seen it a few times before I still laughed out loud at some scenes 😂
Ah that’s good to know your gp has actually heard of it so it gives me hope. I’ll trundle in there later today to see how the land lies. I remember ages ago I needed a piece of paper from the NHS saying what my blood type was (I was going to teach English in Colombia and it was one of the stipulations). The hoops I had to jump through for a bit of paper saying I am A+. Madness 🤣.
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