by Pierre Grange (level B2)
Do you know EKIDEN?
Of Japanese origin, the EKIDEN is a relay race of 6 runners.
The first EKIDEN was organized in Japan at the beginning of the 20th
century.
For many years, the principle of this race has developed in Europe and
particularly in France, in many cities.
Now, the distance of an EKIDEN is the equivalent of a marathon - that is to
say, a little more than 42 kilometres.
EKIDEN is always a great
popular success. Many sports clubs participate, but not only.
The vast majority of teams are
made up of members of companies or associations.
EKIDEN 2024 was sold out, with 650 teams of 6 runners, or no less than
3,900 athletes!
This year, Grenoble organized its 15th edition, and the UIAD presented its
team for the third time.
Since you don't change a
winning team, five of the six runners of the 2023 edition were participating
this year.
The UIAD 2024 team: from left to right: Sylvie, Chris, Pierre, Anne (our new runner) and Philippe (our captain), (Glwadys is absent on the photo).
For the first time, the UIAD had a stand at the start area of the race. It
was an opportunity to present the association and its many activities to the
public.
Thanks to the volunteers, present on the stand: Babette, Caroline (and her faithful Cooky!) and Philippe Buchy (absent on the photo).
We even had a supporter
of the Italian football team! (Philippe WITH's grandson).
Sunday october 6 was the D-day
for the dream team of the UIAD.
To remind you, the race took place in Grenoble, in the EUROPOLE district,
near the Oxford Bridge.
There were a lot of people. More than 3900 runners registered!
The members of each team had to run relays of 5 or 10 kilometres.
For my part, I was registered to run a 5-kilometres relay.
The day of the race, the weather was cloudy and windy with some rain at the end of the race.
I tried to live up to my teammates who are all very good runners.
On arrival, we even improved the time of last year by 9 minutes! We could
be proud.
I shall keep very good memories of this event.
It was a real pleasure to be together and for us, of course, the goal
wasn’t to win.
We all had in mind what the Baron Pierre de Coubertin said, about the
Olympic Games:
'The most important is to participate'.
And at the end, like many runners, we said to ourselves: 'See you next
year!’
Here are some photos of the ‘UIAD 2024 dream team’:
1st relay in joy between Sylvie (627.1) and Chris (627.2)
Our second ‘Londoner’ runner : Chris.
What a
style! He could have starred in 'Chariots of Fire'!
2nd relay between Chris (627.2) and Pierre (627.3)
Our fourth runner : Anne
3rd relay between Anne (627.4) and Glwadys (627.5)
Our fifth runner: Glwadys, always smiling!
And our Captain Philippe (6th runner) to finish our EKIDEN.
Running in the rain!
