This Seine-et-Marne race returns for a fourth edition and supports Pink October

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The Croissy-Beaubourg strides (Seine-et-Marne) return for a fourth edition, on Saturday October 12, 2024. “Before Covid-19, I planned to relaunch an event that would have existed more than thirty years ago. years with the town of Croissy-Beaubourg and a friend, Thierry Peigne, remembers Brice Fleurial. I didn’t know about this race, but it was elders who told me about it.”

Residing in the commune, it is at the moment of the health crisis that he decides to make the idea a reality, after having detected the potential of the sector. “I was training within a kilometer radius during Covid-19. I told myself that there was enough material to do a ten-kilometre race,” he explains.

With the help of the town hall, he then created the Running Club de Croissy-Beaubourgin 2020. “It was at the end of confinement. I also found that there was a lack of road races. There are more and more nature and trail races, which is very good and affordable for everyone, but a little less for road competitors,” continues Brice Fleurial.

And it was in October 2020 that the first edition of the race is born. “I remember that we wore masks,” smiles Brice Fleurial. The goal was to have two events in one: during the day, there were races and activities for children, and in the evening, a show or concert in the town’s cultural space,” he adds.

An event that is both sporting and charitable

After three first editions mixing sports performance and entertainment, the organizers have decided to give up the festive dimension for this October.

“We were short of time and money. There weren’t as many people as expected because the runners weren’t waiting for the awards ceremony given that it was quite late,” says Brice Fleurial.

They then put the double bites on the sports part. “We are approved as the Seine-et-Marne department championship for the 5 km. It is an approved route, 100% road. It is not flat but is still dynamic with raises. Quite a few runners set their best time, despite the short 100 meter climb at the stadium. For the 10 km, there will be two loops. Concerning the children’s races, there is a one-kilometer loop which will be run once or twice depending on the distance,” he explains.

Beyond this performance aspectthe Foulées de Croissy-Beaubourg also joined the annual global campaign intended to raise women’s awareness of breast cancer screening, Pink October.

“We made this decision for different reasons. Already, because the race takes place in October and, above all, because we all have people around us who are concerned by this dramatic subject,” confides Brice Fleurial, who assures that all the profits will be donated to the League against cancer.

Thus, these are between 300 and 500 runners who will run for this cause, on Saturday October 12, 2024. “I don’t think we will reach the limit of 500. The problem with this type of race which remains modest, we often have registrations which skyrocket over the last ten days. Often, clubs tour their licensees at the last minute.”

Written by Anthony Phene

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