Charity race: Laurent Savoyen leaves the Morges Night Run

In a few days, there will be more than 3,000 to start the race. Night Run de Morges, an event created from scratch by the Young Chamber of the city in 2014. It will also be the last lap of Laurent Savoyen (59 years old), asked to take over the organization in 2016, to make it a real classic of the autumn calendar.

It must be said that the man with a smile as benevolent as it is permanent is not sparing of his efforts when it comes to “his” race, which he has held at arm’s length since he took charge of it with his friend Laurent Muzzolin. We see him all over the canton promoting it, looking for sponsors or straightening a partner’s banner on a barrier.

Without any real structure or sports club in support, the former speaker of the LHC and today “of just about everything that moves” (local races, 20KM of Lausanne, Tour du Pays de Vaud and many others) has decided to put the arrow on the left. “I had no idea behind the scenes, but I took up the challenge when the members of the Junior Chamber offered it to me. Not being from Morges, I had to go and knock on all the doors, introduce myself everywhere and I also think I can prove myself. I am happy with the work accomplished, but I feel that it is time to hand over the reins at the end of the 10^e edition which will be full of surprises on November 2.”

100,000 francs for children

Despite sometimes apocalyptic atmospheric conditions, Laurent Savoyen always knew how to maintain his composure, doing everything possible to achieve a good result for the cause or association supported at each edition, in the purest spirit of volunteering. “It is my greatest pride, that of having been able to give a little happiness to children who were not lucky enough to be born with the physical capabilities of our participants. I find it great and healthy that a “competition” ultimately serves to offer them leisure, more than 100,000 francs in total.”

While everyone enjoys the Night Run, and businesses and clubs are happy to participate, why stop now? “I’m starting to get tired of being on the go all the time and it’s time that I think a little about myself and a lot about my wife, my greatest support. The Night Run requires a budget of 150,000 francs that must be raised each year, a challenge!

In addition to his work at the City of Lausanne, the hyperactive, friendly person has always held the microphone for many races, most often out of friendship. “I don’t regret it at all, but it could be one evening in Moudon, the next day in Geneva or Neuchâtel. I think it’s time to take our foot off the gas,” explains the man who has also just put an end to his role as a commentator on football matches on the Blue channel.

Guaranteed sustainability

However, Laurent Savoyen only wants to see the positive from this Morgian adventure. “Human relationships are the engine that drives me forward and when I found myself in the rain and in Independence Park filled with mud, people spontaneously reached out to me. I also think of certain employees of the City, with whom a bond was forged when they saw that I was wearing the jersey so that Morges had a good image, even if I was refused the opportunity to move to the Grand -Rue and Louis-de-Savoie, which would have given a dream setting to the Night Run.”

From Monday, the company Grand Chelem Management will take over, with its extensive experience in events and sport (Gstaas Open, Venoge Festival, etc.). “My hope is that this society maintains the state of mind and the charitable dimension of the event, but also its festive and popular approach.”

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