In La Grande-Motte, the “Courses des Pyramides” bring together 4,700 big-hearted participants

Ce samedi 2 mars, à 15 h 45, ils sont 1 640 engagés à s’élancer au départ du 10 km, le “Grand Run”, homologué par la Fédération française d'athlétisme. PCa

Festive, sporting and charitable anniversary for the 30th “Courses des Pyramides – Running for a child”, these March 2 and 3. A look back at Saturday's events, while waiting for Sunday's half-marathon.

The strong gusts did not dampen, this Saturday, March 2, the enthusiasm of the competitors in the 30th edition of the “Courses des Pyramides – Running for a child” which continues this Sunday. It must be said that the Banzaï marching band and its cheerleaders punctuating departures and arrivals put their effort into it!

The charity event organized by the Lions Club Grande-Motte Montpellier Littoral, in partnership with the City of La Grande-Motte and Midi Libre, had already marked its success beforehand. With 4,700 registered for all the races, while the audacious objective was 4,000 participants, this anniversary was an early success. "We had to stop registrations two weeks before the first departure!", explains Alain Bonifay, happy president of the Grand-Mottois Lions Club.

The children's races opened the ball this Saturday, at 2 p.m., with the 1 km for 55 young people aged 10 or under. PCa

Because if sporting performance is on the agenda this weekend at the foot of the Pyramids, the thirty-year event also allows each competitor to participate in charitable work. Registrations (amounts vary depending on the race, free for children's courses) help local children with disabilities or serious illnesses, as well as their families and the associations that support them. Hence the mobilization of the 4,700 committed.

The 50 young people aged 11 and over at the start of the 2.5 km, always with fanfare! PCa

"A great surprise!"

Before the half-marathon this Sunday morning, Saturday's events allowed all ages and all categories to participate in the solidarity adventure, with logistics worthy of the greatest competitions. Race marshals and bikers, medical assistance teams and adapted refreshments mobilize 300 volunteers, including 40 local Lions. "Only little sores this Saturday", says the doctor responsible for the 17 Red Cross rescuers on the bridge, all volunteers as well.

At the town hall of La Grande-Motte, "this participation is a great surprise, rejoices Jean-Paul Frappa , municipal councilor and former organizer of the Pyramids. There is extraordinary entertainment and atmosphere! This concretizes the concept of a sports and family city."

At 2:40 p.m., 500 entered the 5 km start. Strong gusts of wind dampen neither the motivation nor the atmosphere! PCa
"Carried by the ambiance"

From 2 p.m., the youngest start the ball rolling, at the foot of the Great Pyramid: 55 chicks (under 10 years old) set off over 1 km, encouraged by friends and the family. A quarter of an hour later, it’s the turn of the 50 youngest children (11 years and over) for the 2.5 km.

At 2:40 p.m., the start of the 5 km is already more impressive with 500 participants. A good warm-up for the most sporty, many of them, who will double with the 10 km.

Atmosphere and warm-ups a few minutes before the start of the "Grand Run" of 10 km. PCa

"I’have already done several competitions, explains Estelle while preparing for the 10 km, but here, we are carried away by the atmosphere!"

"This mix of young people pumped up like cuckoos, seniors in great shape and sharp competitors, is the magic of the Pyramids& quot;, says Matthieu who is catching his breath after the 5 km.

The president of the Grand-Mottois Lions Club Alain Bonifay (left) on the podium during the awards ceremony. PCa

Nearly 2,500 for the semi

Arrival 3:45 p.m. and the start of the 10 km, the “Grand Run”. There are 1,640 entrants to the line for this race approved by the French Athletics Federation (FFA) and qualifying for the French championship.

At the same time, the 10 km is also the event of corporate and inter-university-school challenges, teams with identical jerseys. Another way to show solidarity.

"We are there with 80 young people aged 17 to 19 in preparatory classes", explains this teacher from the high school La Thank you Montpellier, also involved in the race.

On the business side, Run In Crès (three teams and 29 runners), Banque Populaire du Sud (15 entrants) and Midi Libre (7 entrants) will proudly compete.

This Sunday, time for the half-marathon (departure at 9:45 a.m., departure in front of the convention center) for the bravest and most athletic. A crowd of 2,455 competitors who, most of them licensed, will want to officially measure their time over 21 km, or even obtain an FFA qualification for the French championship. Come “Running for a child”, they have all already won the competition of the heart.

All the results of the events on the website www.lespyramides.com I subscribe to read more