This Thursday, November 28, the Ropartz room at the Palais des arts in Vannes was full for the presentation of the 20th anniversary of the Ultra Marin Gulf of Morbihan, a sporting and festive event, which will take place from June 26 to 29, 2025. In front of volunteers, elected officials, institutions, partners and service providers, the organizers detailed the four days of the race which attracted 10,000 participants.
The advanced 100 km, no elite race
For this anniversary year, the organization wanted to make some changes. After two consultations with the City, which wants in particular to limit noise pollution around the port when an event extends over several days as is the case with the Ultra Marin, the elite race on Thursday evening will not take place. On the other hand, the 100 km Raid, which took place on Friday, is well advanced to Thursday and will launch the festivities. The Nordic walking on Saturday afternoon has also been brought forward and will take place on Friday morning. Through these changes, the organization wishes to spread the flow of races over the duration of the event. The P'tits marins race will remain on the Rabine mall. To further develop this event for children, the organization wanted to move it to the rampart garden, which is not technically possible. No change for the flagship event, the 175 km Grand Raid, which will start from the port esplanade on Friday at 7 p.m.
New solidarity project
Created in 2018, the Great Solidarity Challenge, which consisted of engaging teams presenting a solidarity file, disappears to make way for the “Ultra Marin Horizons” project and the creation of the Ultra Marin endowment fund. “We want a big solidarity project to help disabled people come to the Ultra Marin and thus promote inclusion. With the creation of this endowment fund, the sale of solidarity bibs, we would like, for the first year, to donate €50,000 to different associations. We want a strong commitment in this direction,” explains Clément Moreau, the project manager. After the sporting and solidarity pillars, the environment is another. “We know the issues around the Gulf. We raise awareness among runners and those accompanying them, whether it is about waste management, staying on the trails, or carpooling. This year, we are going to put shuttles in place for race starts. We will also publish an Ultra Marine and environment guide which will be sent to elected officials and partners. »
Promote and retain volunteers
This presentation evening was also an opportunity to highlight the 1,500 volunteers who work each year. The ideal would be to have 2,000. “Without them, nothing is possible,” assures President Pierrick Moreau. The organization plans to offer them two or three days, between January and the event, with activities and discoveries. Another new feature is that a volunteer who has completed a number of hours set by the organization will have the possibility of a guaranteed bib for him the following year.
