More than 2,200 runners gathered today on the Quai du Mont-Blanc to participate, alone or as a team, in the 2nd edition of the Geneva 20km by Genève Aéroport.
After setting off from the shores of Lake Geneva behind the Geneva Lions basketball team, the runners had the privilege of crossing the gates of the Palais des Nations, opened especially for the event! An exclusive moment to discover International Geneva in a different way.
This great first also attracted the Malian Kassim Doumbia who had already participated in the event last year: “The passage through the Palais des Nations is magnificent, it made me happy. The race was also magnificent, the organization is impeccable, I love it. Plus, last year I ran in 1h28 and now in 1h25 so I'm very happy! »
The route on the right bank then crossed the Geneva countryside, covered in its first autumn colors, before plunging towards the harbor. The runners then finished their effort at the edge of the lake facing the Jet d'Eau.
A course greatly appreciated by the runners, as demonstrated by Laurence Teissier-François, originally from Belgium: “I live nearby in the Canton of Vaud so I know the region well and I wanted to run here. The course is great since you run outside the city and discover the countryside. The beginning is quite difficult as it goes uphill but the rest of the course is very easy, I really enjoyed it. »
The Ethiopian Eyob Habtesilasse, big winner of this 2nd edition, won the race in 1:00:42, shattering the previous record of 3 minutes and 41 seconds. Frenchman Régis Antoine and British Ben Parkes complete the men's podium.
On the women's side, the Ethiopian Haven Hailu won ahead of her compatriot Israel Silass Geletu and the Frenchwoman Aline Camboulives. Like her male counterpart, she also broke the event record by more than 8 minutes.
For those who wanted to share the 20km, two other Duo or Trio packages were on the menu. A friendly way to spread the distance and take on the challenge together.
The Les Dodos team took on the challenge of running the Trio among colleagues. Grégoire Weiss, the third and final torchbearer, told us: “I decided to participate to do a team race with my work. There must be 140 of us in total in my company doing this. It's a moment of cohesion and it's good to do it all together. And the last part of the route along the lake is very nice. »
Meeting their children near the finish line, Claudio and Annelise Minetto chose to participate as a couple in the 20km Duo, for the second year in a row. “My husband liked that we ran together. The race was very good,” said Annelise.
Her husband Claudio added: “The move to the UN is great. It's not a place where you can go often so we appreciate it. I did the first relay and handed it over to him then joined him at the finish to finish together! »
Benjamin Chandelier, director of the event, was greatly satisfied with this second edition: “The popular enthusiasm for this 2nd edition confirmed the place of the event in the Swiss racing calendar. »
“On behalf of the Organizing Committee, I thank the authorities and the competent administrations of the Canton and the City of Geneva for their unfailing support, the United Nations for their welcome, all the municipalities crossed by the route (Pregny-Chambésy , Grand-Saconnex, Bellevue and Genthod), as well as Genève Aéroport and all our other partners for their help and trust. Without forgetting the 300 valuable volunteers who mobilized for several days to contribute to the success of the event. »
A central and unifying player in the life of the Canton, Genève Aéroport has joined the event for the second year as Title Partner in order to support a sporting and festive initiative. After giving the start, André Schneider, General Director of Genève Aéroport, wished to speak on behalf of Genève Aéroport: “A big thank you to the organizing committee of the 20 km of Genève by Genève Aéroport and to the incredible mobilization of numerous volunteers and collaborators from the communities on the right bank, without whom the celebration would not have been possible! See you next year. »
In order to continue cruising at cruising speed, the 3rd edition of the Geneva 20km by Genève Aéroport will see you in 2019. Information and registrations will be available soon on www.20kmgeneveaeroport.ch .
Results
Solo Men
1. Eyob Habtesilasse, ETH, 1:00:42
2. Régis Antoine, FRA, 1:08:37
3. Ben Parkes, GBR, 1:08:39
Solo Women
1. Haven Hailu, ETH, 1:10:15
2. Israel Silass Geletu, ETH, 1:11:51
3. Aline Camboulives, FRA, 1:17:41
Duo Scratch
1. Grangette RunningTeam, 1:12:37
2. TDCB, 1:12:53
3. Team P'tit Lu, 1:15:55
Threesome Scratch
1. Geneva Runners Super3, 1:20:14
2. Jura Sports, 1:20:41
3. Antiparticles, 1:22:48
Key figures
2nd edition
3 race formats
2200 participants
1400 registered in the Solo format
250 registered in the Duo format
100 registered in the Trio format
300 volunteers
36% of those registered run their first 20km
39% women
Average age: 39 years old
Top 3 nationalities: Switzerland, France, United Kingdom
Top 3 cantons: Geneva, Vaud and Valais
5 communes of the Canton crossed
6 pacemakers
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