Record participation, this Sunday, in the 4th Women's Race, on the banks of the Orb and the Canal du Midi, in Béziers

Gaz'L du coeur volunteers brought together more than 350 participants this Sunday, March 10, in Montflourès, for the Women's Race. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

The start of the Women's Race was given at 10 a.m., just after a release of white balloons. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

Tristan, the “winner” of the event, covered the 6 km in 20 minutes. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

Après l'effort, le réconfort grâce aux en-cas fournis par l'association et la Ville de Béziers. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

The 4th edition of this solidarity race, without a timer, organized by the Gaz'L du coeur saw some 350 participants cover the 6 km on the banks of the Orb and the banks of the Canal du Noon to support medical research and the family of little Olivia, 9 years old, who died a few days ago from brain cancer.  

There was a lot of emotion this Sunday, March 10, in the Montflourès sports park, in Béziers, at the start of the 4th edition of the Women's Race, preceded by a release of white balloons and a vibrant speech from Lise Mattera. Organized by the association Les Gaz'L ont du coeur, this 6 km solidarity run and walk on the banks of the Orb and the banks of the Canal du Midi, was for the benefit of the medical research and the family of Olivia, a 9-year-old girl suffering from incurable brain cancer.

"The association was born in 2019 because several of us were friends who wanted to take part in the Sénégazelles, a 100% female running race that goes from village to village and distributes school supplies", relates Lise Mattera, one of the kingpins of the demonstration. But Covid is happening there, delaying their departure for West Africa until 2022.

A rare pediatric cancer

Sporty and strongly mobilized for causes that affect women and children, Lise Mattera, Fanny Reynes and Carole Sardo and the many volunteers who support and accompany them have since organized charity races. In the spring of 2023, these women who have hearts to spare learn that Olivia, the 8-year-old daughter of their friend Larissa, residing in the Netherlands for professional reasons, is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. a rare form of brain cancer.

Sophie, the 1st female, gave everything she could in memory of Olivia. Diane Petitmangin – Midi Libre

"We therefore decided to donate the funds from this race to the family, to support them". And friends and supporters responded. "We already had more than 150 registered online and now, this Sunday, we must have more than 350 participants", rejoices Fanny Reynes, on this sunny Sunday morning.

In the end, even though there was no timer, Tristan completed the 6 km loop in 20 minutes. As for Sophie, the first female and fourth to cross the finish line, she declared while catching her breath: "I'had planned d& #39;to be there for Olivia, but I decided to give everything to the image of this little girl who fought until the end with courage".

The next meeting of the Gaz'L du coeur is set for June 23, in the Bourbaki woods, with a 5 km and a 10 km timed this time. "The proceeds will also go to Olivia's family, who will no doubt want to donate it to benefit medical research". 

A little girl gone too soon

The illness Olivia suffered from was an incurable pediatric cancer, which affects the central nervous system. In November, a prize pool was awarded. open so that the family can access a promising but very expensive treatment. ". Unfortunately, Olvia, who had celebrated She turned 9 in January, “a joyful and very mature little girl”, passed away a few days ago. She has been resting since Friday March 8, in the cemetery of Saint-Vincent-de-Barrès, in Ardèche.

Please note, the Zonta Béziers Domitia is organizing the first edition of the Zonta run, on Sunday April 21 in the morning, to finance its tree replanting project on the Canal du Midi. On the program: a 5 km race and another 10 km timed race, and an untimed 5 km race. www.zontaclubbeziers.com. I subscribe to read more