© Marathon de Séville
@courspetitetomate, her recent time at the Seville Marathon and her visibility on social media
We had the pleasure of talking with Marine, a French runner whom you probably know as @courspetitetomate on social media. A truly inspiring figure in the running world, she shares her sporty daily life on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where a community of over 120,000 enthusiasts eagerly follows her training, challenges, and race adventures.
A unique nickname
Wondering where the nickname comes from? Initially, it was to maintain some privacy and anonymity. About a decade ago, when Marine began sharing her passion online, it was trendy to use pseudonyms. If translated to English it would be @runsmalltomato – she runs, she’s small, and she loves tomatoes: that’s the story behind it. The name has stuck ever since.
A passionate runner
Running has been a part of Marine’s life for nearly 15 years. It helped her overcome shyness and boosted her self-confidence. Initially, she started running for her final high school exams, and even though there were periods of pause, running was always present. According to her, she doesn’t have any particular predispositions, just immense love for challenges and self-improvement.
Currently affiliated with the Talence athletics club near Bordeaux, she’s coached by her life partner.
Marine has always poured her heart into her running, sharing her journeys online. She watched her community grow, especially when Instagram shifted focus to videos over photos. She’s been actively posting for five years, never imagining the current scale.
Un récent RP au marathon de Séville
With bib number 2747 pinned to her chest, Marine embarked on her sixth marathon in Seville. This race was meticulously prepared for through dedicated training. On February 23, @courspetitetomate achieved a sub-3-hour time, finishing in 2 hours and 57 minutes, a significant improvement from her first marathon eight years ago, where she finished in 5 hours and 13 minutes.
Reflecting on the race, she shared, “I was very focused on the course, but my bubble isn’t completely sealed; I heard several cheers, and they’re so precious. I’m always surprised to be recognized like this, even abroad, but thank you endlessly.”
The status of a content creator
| Isn’t it challenging to always be present on social media?
“I don’t always grasp that I’m followed, known by thousands. My community is very supportive, full of passionate people. While I might be recognized in the running world, I blend into everyday life without my running shoes. It’s like having an invisibility cloak.”
| Do social media add pressure during competitions?
“It has sometimes added pressure, but more for my content than the athletic side. I’m committed to sharing quality content that engages and interests people. As for performance, I strive to be transparent; I didn’t hide anything for Seville. The only pressure there was mine.”
« The presence of running content is growing on social media, which is great, especially if it encourages people to exercise. »
| How would you describe the influence world in running?
“I might have a somewhat biased view, but I’d say there’s a bit of everything, just like in life. It’s growing, and there’s more and more running content online, which is wonderful, especially if it inspires people to get active.”
| How do you handle negative comments and messages?
“Luckily, they’re rare, but on some videos with many views, it happens… Often, it’s my physique that’s criticized; some say I’m too thin. Of course, it was tough at first, but I’ve gained perspective, and now it just slides off me.”
Marine continues to write her running story…
No marathon blues post-Seville for this runner; she shared how she rested well to return stronger to her training. The trail season is fast approaching with an upcoming race at the end of March and a new challenge in May. A 70-kilometer trail with 4,000 meters of elevation gain is on the horizon. Want to know more? Follow her on her profile.
Thank you, Marine, for your time and this intriguing conversation. Enjoy your upcoming races.
