It is around 7.45 am and the night has not yet receded in this cold autumn morning. However, the courageous people who came to participate in the 49th edition of the Cross du Figaro Nordictrack are already walking the winding and steep alleys of the Parc de Saint-Cloud (Hauts-de-Seine). In the ephemeral village installed for the occasion, it is effervescence. Some collect their bibs while others, already equipped, indulge in a few short strides as a warm-up. After the "run in night", a non-timed night race organized on Friday evening, now gives way to serious matters.
“
I came from Lille on purpose for this race,
” says James, who is competing in the event with his friend Louis. "
With four friends we have the project of making a 'Iron Man '
(a multidisciplinary race combining running, swimming and cycling)
. This cross is the first step in our preparation,
”he explains. All show a broad smile despite the 4 small degrees displayed by the thermometer. “
When I see the temperature, maybe I should have thought twice,
” jokes Maxime. At the end of the race, the legs are studded with traces of mud, the breaths are short but the joy and the pride of having taken up the challenge betray the eyes.
A charitable component
This Figaro cross is also the launch of the 2021 telethon. The charitable aspect of the event was an additional source of motivation for many athletes. "
The telethon has motivated us a lot and overall, we try to participate in all the humanitarian races,
”says Esteban, who came to run with his dad Luis Miguel.
This is also what prompted several companies such as the consulting firm EY to become a partner of the race.
“
At EY, we are very committed to this kind of solidarity event and sport is very important within the company.
Today, we have nearly 600 employees participating,
”explains Laurence Colson, head of the sports office at EY.
It is also in the EY Tower in La Défense that the awards ceremony will take place on Monday.
Read alsoSoprano will sponsor the Telethon 2021
NordicTrack, a Naming partner of the Cross du Figaro and world leader in home sports equipment, also says it is “
proud to support research against rare diseases through the AFM Téléthon
”.
An exceptional mobilization which delights Eric, father of a little Nathan, suffering from a handicap but who nevertheless participated in the race from a joëlette pushed by two members of his family.
“
It’s really nice.
It's a beautiful celebration.
Nathan was looking forward to this day
, ”he told us.
After a virtual 2020 edition only, due to the health crisis, the Cross du Figaro made its big comeback in the open air and is already preparing for its 50th anniversary.
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