Running: The Ekiden of Rodez is full of new products

Yes. The Rodez ekiden will take place ! While the summer period showed that the organization of foot races was made difficult due to the health context, the organizers at Center Presse held firm. “We absolutely wanted to keep our appointment, explains Christine Rigal, the event manager. Because it is an edition full of novelties that is announced. “Beginning with the very name of this relay marathon which will therefore be in its 5th edition, postponed once again from June to September (as in 2020) because of the health crisis. Thus, it must now be called the ekiden Endurance Shop Rodez Aveyron.

Registration open until September 7, entertainment for young and old

And still in the ray of changes, we will also note the acceleration undertaken in terms of animations. “We will have a real start village, explains the manager. With specialist sports brands, for advice and demonstrations, but not only. Indeed, in addition to a VIP area to follow the race and spend the evening pleasantly, a play area for children will take place on the Esplanade des Rutènes. Just like an ax throwing stand (for the older ones) or a special ekiden de Rodez “photo box ”. In this healthily strange period, the objective is clearly to gather as many people as possible around the event. Moreover, other surprises await participants and spectators during an event that requires the involvement of a good hundred volunteers, who came this year from the castonétoise association of Touroulis.

An unchanged and atypical course

As for the sporting side, the course has not been modified and remains approved by the French federation of Athletics. The six torchbearers will therefore walk the streets of the Ruthenian city center, starting and arriving at the Esplanade des Rutènes, with relays of 5, 10 or 7.195 km for a total loop of 42.195 terminals. A circuit that is atypical to say the least. Kick-off will be at 7 p.m. on September 17. While the previous editions before Covid had brought together more than 1,000 runners, and in 2020 around sixty teams had taken part in the race, the organizers hope this time to cross, at least, the bar of 500 registered. Registrations which are possible on the ekiden.fr website and until September 7th. Obviously, holding the health pass is an obligation.