20,000 euros donated by Ekiden 2024 to Huntington France, the MAS of Castelnau-Montratier and Granès, and the ARTC – Medialot

The 2025 edition is being prepared with new features.

This January 23, 2025, in the hall of the Gambetta college, Benoit Bosc, president of the Ekiden de Cahors, surrounded by the team, presented the sums collected during the 2024 edition, a record edition which brought together 263 teams adults, around thirty children’s teams and more than 300 walkers.

In detail, 16,000 euros were donated to the Huntington France association. The regional delegate Cécile Rigal, alongside the departmental referent, Brigitte Couderc, spoke of her emotion and the progress made thanks to the money raised.

2,500 euros were allocated to the MAS of Castelnau-Montratier. An entity of the Camille Miret Institute, this MAS, directed by Mahiéddine Kankpe-Kombath, welcomes 10 patients from Huntington, including 2 in temporary care. The money raised makes it possible to improve the comfort of life of residents, such as the acquisition of a water mattress, in 2024.

For the first year, last September, the MAS de Granès, from the ASEI association, which permanently accommodates and supports 8 patients from Huntington, in Montauban, was present at the Ekiden. 1,000 euros were awarded to him. Its deputy director Manon Cazes announced that this would help to finance an ergonomic chair. New beneficiary association of Ekiden, the ARTC, which is the research association against brain tumors, received 500 euros. Marion Potvin, who opened a branch in Lot in 2024, wants to advance the knowledge of these diseases.

The next edition of the Ekiden will take place on September 27, 2025. New walking routes will be offered, with departures at 2:30 p.m., for the 7 km classic and at 2:35 p.m., for the gentle 5 km. The Nordic walk, which should run along the greenway, would leave from the Allées Fénelon at 2:15 p.m., where the village would open its doors at 2 p.m.

The start of the children’s Ekiden will be at 5:50 p.m., and that of the adults’ Ekiden at 6 p.m., in order to finish the relay race earlier, at 10:30 p.m. at the latest, with a podium at 9:30 p.m. An animation carried out by the “Superherograndcoeur” association is in preparation. Former members of the GIGN, GIPN and RAID would descend, in disguise, abseiling down the facades of the hospital and would then start the children’s race. The sale of t-shirts to benefit the renovation of the Valentré bridge is also on the agenda.

.Photo and thanks Didier Quet