Geneva: At 4 years old, they discovered the Escalade race

Gray skies and a refuted pessimistic weather radar (the predicted morning precipitation did not materialize) did not dampen the motivation of families ready to introduce their children to the adventure of the Escalade Race.

It’s 8:30 a.m. this Sunday, the city is still sleeping, except around the Parc des Bastions, where parents and children converge, hand in hand, loaded backpacks. Head to the large tent set up at the green lung, where the bibs are distributed and where a hubbub grows. “You’re not poking me,” worries a girl, warily examining the safety pins piercing her sweater.

Warm, hats screwed on their heads, not all children display the same energy. There are those who seem to have just fallen out of bed, eyes glued together. And there are the unbearable ones, loaded with sugar, who are already running from one end of the tent to the other. Born in 2019 and 2020, they are preparing to have their first racing experience.

The style of clothing is by far not uniform. We quickly spot the offspring of parents addicted to running: state-of-the-art dedicated sneakers, leggings with shorts, “technical” tops. Then there are those kept in their childish world: here a princess, further away a butterfly and a dreaming Spider-Man.

Francesco patiently waits for departure time with his father, Stefano, who takes the opportunity to capture a photo of his son. Did he train for the test? “Yes, we had to run to catch the bus this morning,” explains very seriously the man who proudly declares that he is “5 and a half years old”.

Kieran is the father of Riva, 7 years old, who will race alone in the chick category, and of Sia, 5 years old, who will run for the second time accompanied. Riva was so excited last night that she says she “got out of bed to practice.” This morning, it was “eggs and avocado” to ensure a good energy intake.

A few meters away, it is Gabriel, 4 years old, who is preparing to start with his mother. His private school organized training sessions. Her father will try to see them, his youngest in his arms.

Shortly after 9 a.m. the flow begins towards the starting line. The cases are grouped together. “For the thousandth time, put your gloves back on, you’re going to be cold,” says a mother making her way.

The race starts from Rue de la Croix-Rouge, as for older children. Parents and children jump around to the music to warm up. “It’s a non-competitive race,” the speaker reminds the adults several times.

At exactly 9:30 a.m., the crowd gets moving under the encouragement of the families located high up on the Treille. The little disjointed legs move around. For this race without classification designed to introduce children, the course is identical to that covered by the lower categories (Poussins B) and takes place over 1360 meters.

With the finish line in sight, some fathers seem to have forgotten the speaker’s recommendations on the non-competitive aspect of the event. The first pairs to cross the finish line do so after a sprint clearly aiming for victory, celebrated with a raised arm.

In the finish area, congested by human traffic jams due to the ever-increasing success of the event, a new race begins: that of reunion. The phones are drawn: “I’m under the bee,” says a mother loaded with warm jackets, referring to the signs allowing you to find your way.

The little ones with red cheeks are tired but refueled. Rolls, carton of chocolate milk and small gifts. Enough to motivate them for next year. “Next time, I’ll run without my mom, she couldn’t keep up with me,” says a young runner, quite proud.

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