The city trail, which is aimed at all audiences, will begin this Saturday, December 27 at 5:30 p.m. with a short distance course for children, before giving way to the main race at 7:30 p.m., bringing together men and women in a spirit of parity. A few days before the event, Véronique Filippi, deputy mayor for sports affairs, brought together some of the volunteers to finalize the preparations. “These people are the necessary elements that guarantee the success of the city trail. They are there to validate the route, protect the public and the competitors, and provide assistance”underlines Véronique Filippi. “Added to this are the municipal services, the municipal police and the SNSM for rescue. We are expecting 300 runners, currently there are 250 registered, many from the mainland. It is a question of maintaining the festive and popular feeling. We know the experience of previous editions, for the ninth, we have been preparing for a month.”
The essential role of volunteers
To better understand the importance of volunteering in the organization of this event, Morning run collected the testimonies of three committed volunteers.
Nathalie, involved for several years in the associative world, shares her experience: “I have known the human value of Véronique Filippi for years, as well as her mother Nicole, a beacon of Porto-Vecchiais athletics. Volunteering is a vocation for me. Having responsibilities in handball, it takes time, but my husband also accompanies me. Without volunteering, there is nothing. We serve the city we love, it is a concrete illustration of living together.”
Jean-François, sports commissioner in the rally world, also puts his expertise at the service of the race. “This trail is an exceptional moment of conviviality, but we must guarantee its safety. I put my experience at the service of the race. You must listen to prevent, to avoid curing! I am a former soldier, I know rigor, it is essential to supervise such an event. Give your time, demonstrate pedagogy and firmness. A real commitment, a real responsibility.”
Roger, for his part, emphasizes the central role of volunteers in the success of the event: “Of course, money and commitment from the municipality are necessary to organize the trail, but without volunteers, no race. I put my experience of the Santa Lucia di Portivechju triathlon at the service of the race. The organizers respect the volunteers, which, unfortunately, is not so common. Portivechju is a big family, everyone belongs to this community. Friendships are born between us, a bond that remains throughout the year.”
An appointment already made for 2026
All the volunteers also salute the role of Fabienne, nicknamed “the broom car” of the trail, who closes the race by following the last competitor: “Her role is important. She is a benchmark for all of us. Until she arrives, the race is not over.”
While everything is ready for this ninth edition, the organizers and volunteers are already looking ahead to 2026, the year of the tenth edition of the city trail.
In the meantime, see you this Saturday, December 27 for a moment of sport and sharing in the heart of Porto-Vecchio.
