On Sunday there will be over 2,000 runners taking flight during the inaugural edition of the 20km of Geneva by Genève Aéroport.
The race will get underway at 9:30am on the Quai du Mont-Blanc; with the start being given by three members of the Swiss women’s 4x100m relay team – Sarah Atcho, Samantha Dagry and Ajla Del Ponte – that competed in the final of the world championships in London, and Geneva local Swann Oberson who is a champion long distance swimmer. André Schneider, the director general of Genève Aéroport, will accompany them to give the start of the race.
Following the first kilometre along the shores of lake Geneva, the runners will pass through the Place des Nations and international district of Geneva. The remainder of the course will allow them to discover the beautiful Geneva countryside with a view over both the Jura and the Mont Blanc before finishing back on the shores of the lake opposite the Jet d’Eau.
With the race taking place entirely on the ‘Rive Droite’ the course allows runners to discover the right hand side of the lake; an area of Geneva that has remained relatively untouched by running events in the past. Local runner Antoine Lüscher from Carouge was excited about this new course, having never raced on this side of the lake before: “I like the idea of racing on the Rive Droite,” he said, “I’m quite used to doing the Geneva half marathon in May on the opposite side of the lake. I know the area quite well, but I haven’t been out to see the course at all. I guess we’ll see what it’s like on race day!”
Alemayehu Wodajo, winner of the Morat-Fribourg is the race favourite, and will be likely accompanied by Geneva locals Alexandre Roch and Thomas Huwiler at the front of the race on Sunday.
Alongside the individuals on Sunday will be a few hundred teams of Duo runners who are taking on the challenge together. The first runner of each team will cover 11.5km, before handing over the baton to their teammate to complete the final 8.5km to the finish line.
These shorter distances have attracted a number of runners to the event, including Virginie Duby-Muller and Bertrand Duby who form TeamDuby on Sunday. “When I saw it for the first time on Facebook I found the idea of the Duo race very original,” said Virginie, “it also allowed us to set a goal race together at the end of the season and to stay motivated in our training”.
The 20km event village is in full flow at Genève Aéroport
Setup inside Terminal 2 at Genève Aéroport, the event village opened its doors at 4pm this afternoon. A number of runners have already come to collect their bibs and enjoy the activities offered by the partners in the village.
Genève Aéroport have put in place a number of activities for kids and adults alike in the event village for the next two days such as reflex tests on a digital wall and meet and greets with Team Genève and event ambassador Céline Van Till.
Runners will also be able to collect a pink ribbon from the Breast Cancer Network, the charity of the event. The Breast Cancer Network have also teamed up with the Groupe La Tour to offer a few activities in the event village, such as table football, a test to measure the stability of their ankles and much much more.
Event Schedule
Friday October 27th – Geneva Airport Terminal 2
3pm-7pm: Bib collection and partners activities
Saturday October 28th – Geneva Airport Terminal 2
9:30am-6:30pm: Bib collection and partners activities
Sunday October 29th – Quai du Mont-Blanc
9:30am: Start of 20km and 20km Duo
10:30am: Arrival of first runner
11:00am: Podium
12:30pm: Arrival of last runner
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