Running fever takes over the streets of Montpellier with the first successful edition of the Ekiden

L’Ekiden, une course qui vient du Japon. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

700 bénévoles participent à l’organisation de l’événement. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Le départ des courses au niveau de l’Arc de Triomphe. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Motivé ! Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

On passe le relais avec le sourire ! Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Dernière côte avant l’arrivée en haut du Peyrou. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Le public au rendez-vous pour encourager les coureurs. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Entre amis, en famille ou entre collègues. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Des couleurs en ville ! Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Filles, garçons, tout le monde court ! Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

À midi, l’heure chaude… Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

1 600 coureurs pour l’Ekiden au total. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Des coureurs avec ou sans écouteurs. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Quand les coureurs remplacent les voitures en ville. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Heureux de courir ! Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Du monde prêt à s’élancer. Midi Libre – giacomo italiano

Après la course de 5 km ce samedi 6 avril au matin aux Arceaux, l’Ekiden a rempli le centre de Montpellier de coureurs hétéroclites dans une ambiance festive. Demain, dimanche 7 avril, place au semi et au marathon, dès 8 heures.

From the Arc de Triomphe to the Agro Institute, bibs in the colors of the Montpellier Run Festival filled the streets of the city. After the cancellation of the children's race this Friday for safety reasons, the event took a completely different turn this Saturday.

There are 1 600 who have registered for the Ekiden, a relay race of six people who cover the distance of a marathon (42,195&nbsp ;km).

Not everyone uses their muscles over the same distance: 5 km for the first relay, 10 km for the 2nd, 5 km for the 3rd, 10 km for the 4th, 5 km for the 5th, 7,195 km for the 6th. Enough to create a diverse team even if everyone does not have the same endurance!

Running for fun, healthy lifestyle, self-esteem!

Léa, who ran the Barcelona marathon at the start of the year, motivated the employees of Habitat Jeune to form two teams: one of employees and one young people. "We trained for two months with one outing per week, explains the facilitator.

"Running helps you have a healthy lifestyle. We think about diet, sleep, hydration before, during, after. We support each other and bonds are created. This improves self-esteem and provides a feeling of belonging to a group."

With all these arguments, she had nothing to motivate the troops. Like Pauline, 22, a fan of cycling but who had never run more than 2 km. "I wanted to improve my performance and then it’s a challenge. It feels good mentally and physically." Many companies (GGL, Royal Canin, Virbac, Aixial…) also put on their sneakers as a team.

A real success for this first edition in Montpellier before the start of the solo marathon tomorrow morning.