With more than 10,000 runners, thousands of smiles, event records, ideal weather, and a constant crowd in the port of Vannes for three days, the Ultra Marin organization is obviously delighted with this 19th edition which took place from June 27 to 30.
But there is a downside, as Clément Moreau, the events manager for this major event in Vannes and around the Gulf of Morbihan, points out: “We have had several cases of incivility towards the signallers. At two different points in Vannes and Arradon, two people, a security guard and a signaller from an association that we call upon, were knocked down by a car. The security guard was taken to the emergency room, fortunately he came out without serious injuries. Nothing serious for the signaller either, but we regret these increasingly frequent incivilities. We do not want a tragedy to occur. The people who are placed on the roads along the courses are most of the time volunteers who are there for the success of the event. The Ultra Marin is an event of a certain magnitude, but this must not be to the detriment of the safety of everyone, runners, volunteers and spectators. Every year we try to put security plans in place in this direction with the cities we pass through. We have no choice but to close roads or sites. These are short or long blockades, but local residents can pass. For those who want to follow the race, it is always possible to do so without trying to force their way through.
As all organizations remind us: without volunteers, there are no more events. So, don’t touch our volunteers!
