With 850 volunteers mobilized to manage the 8e edition of the Côte Chalonnaise Wine Marathon, which will take place on Saturday March 28 – one volunteer for less than ten participants – the sporting and festive event at the start of spring leaves its mark a little more on the Chalonnaise territory.
Gathered Thursday evening in the Colisée lounge in Chalon-sur-Saône, at the invitation of the organizing staff, the volunteers are “the beating heart of this event, whose loyalty gives a soul to the marathon”, as stated by Stéphane Béard, vice-president of MV2C. “You are benchmarks, who provide information, advise, provide security, encourage. You help bring this event to life and grow. Thank you for your time, your involvement and everything you bring, often in the shadows,” he continued.
A commitment hailed by the Chalonnais mayor Gilles Platret, who highlighted the impressive cohort ready to manage “an event that is at once sporting, gustatory, heritage, tourist and above all friendly. An event which radiates throughout the Côte Chalonnaise and which, in an incontestable way, promotes our region, on the threshold of the tourist season.” Because “this marathon is not just a race,” added the president of the Grand Chalon, Dominique Juillot. It’s a beautiful collective story, made of generosity, good humor and pride for our territory. »
A friendship meeting
Labeled “Challenge of conviviality”, the marathon crosses 16 municipalities (including five for Sunday hikes), and boasts 55% of runners in disguise. More than half of the participants do not come from Burgundy and the event even goes beyond national borders with 28 nationalities represented this year, for some 230 runners. From Thursday, the Marateam of colleges will mobilize 450 students from 14 establishments. On Friday, probably more than 800 schoolchildren from primary and nursery classes will compete in several races. On Saturday, 7,800 sportsmen and women will be in frosty lands from the first light of day to run and eat at “the best restaurant in France over 42 km”, with 18 festive and sporting refreshments. Finally, on Sunday, Buxy will welcome hiking enthusiasts, with four routes to choose from. All with security as the watchword, as André Genot recalled, with the key role of signallers, but also the presence of a dynamic surveillance system with 24 gendarmes, as well as a medical emergency system mobilizing 80 people.
