This morning’s Press Conference, on Tuesday 29th October, unveiled the course itself, the new features of the race and the elite participants, as well as the charitable activities taking place alongside the event.
For the principal partner, Geneva Airport, supporting local events is one of their priorities. As a key economic player in the Geneva area, this partnership has been an obvious one since the race began. And similarly for the charity partner Breast Cancer Network (Réseau Cancer du Sein), the Geneva 20 km by Geneva Airport offers an additional way to increase awareness of the disease. On this occasion a ‘pink walk’, on the 10 km route will be held on Sunday, symbolizing the treatment path followed by patients and their families.
Benjamin Chandelier, event director, then outlined the new features of this 3rd edition. This year there will be 2 distances (and 6 race formats). Runners can do a 20 km individual race, form a relay of two in the 20 km Duo or a relay of three in the 20 km Trio. In addition, for the first time the 10 km distance is offered as a run, a walk or as a Nordic walk.
After the start on the Quai du Mont- Blanc in Geneva, the runners will visit international Geneva before tackling the open country, winding between fields and vines and passing through the villages of Pregny- Chambésy, le Grand-Saconnex, Bellevue and Genthod. They will enjoy superb views of the Jura and Mont-Blanc as well as of Lake Geneva and the famous Jet d’Eau before returning to the start point on the shores of the lake.
On the queen distance of 20km, the race should be contested by by both men and female. The battle will be between the various forces present including the presence of Tadesse Abraham. See below the details of the elites field.
The Press Conference ended with the thanks of Benjamin Chandelier, in the name of the organising team, to the volunteers, to all the public, private and media partners, and to the entire event ‘family’ without whom the Committee would be unable to organise this superb festival of running. Registration for Sunday will remain open on line until midnight on Wednesday 30th October. This 3rd edition is set to beat the record with over 3600 runners.