Nyonizigiye and Ferrara claimed victory in tri-country run
On Sunday, March 15 the Monegasque Athletic Federation, with the support of the Principality of Monaco, the Italian community of Ventimiglia, the French villages of Menton and Roquebrune-Cap Martin, run its line course of 23,8 km, along the seaboard. Departing from Italy, passing through France to arrive in Monaco, the runners completed a unique competition in the world while stepping on the ground of three countries. For this 5th edition of the “Riviera Classic”, 1.158 runners departed at 10:00hs from the center of Ventimiglia.
The race started at a fast pace with two of the athletes soon escaping from the pack. The two stayed together all along and near the end the future winner, runner from Burundi Jean-Claude Nyonizigiye, run away and stayed ahead winning in 1h15’40, just in front of club comrade from Uganda Nathan Chebet in 1h15’59. Last year’s winner Eliud Kimuati Sugut from Kenya completed the podium by finishing third in 1h18’03.
HSH Prince Albert with Monaco Run winner Jean-Claude Nyonizigiye @FMA
Among the women, it was again the Italian Ornella Ferrara, who conquered victory in 1h32’03, in front of the two French Ingrid Lopergolo in 1h36’46 and Julie Romera in 1h37’04.
HSH Prince Albert with Monaco Run female winner Ornella Ferrara ©FMA
The prize ceremony took place on Quai Albert 1er in the presence of HSH Prince Albert II, President of the Monegasque Athletic Federation, accompanied by distinguished personalities from Monaco, Italy and France.
Jaadi & Farhoun winners of 10km race
Earlier on in Monaco, the 755 runners of the 10km-run had departed at 9h30 from the port. Running from the Boulevard Albert 1er, through Fontvieille and the tour of Stade Louis II, passing again through the port, Princesse Grace Avenue and the return to port Hercules, encouraged by the many spectators unperturbed by the stormy weather. Two athletes from Nice disputed the first place and Yousseff Jaadi was victorious in 31’17, I front of Bruce Bautista in 31’29, and the local hero Zouhai Ouerdi from the AS Monaco in 32’50. There were female athletes from Nice who were in the front throughout the race, with Hanan Farhoun arriving first in 37”24, in front of her club comrade Laura Gray in 39’48, and on third position Leila Zaoui in 41’44.
Pink Ribbon Monaco Walk for breast health
The charity association Pink Ribbon Monaco hosted their 4th Pink Ribbon Walk with 250 runners (not counting dogs, and children who were walking for free under the age of 13), all dressed in pink, some wearing fantastic costumes, feather boas and even pink fairy wings. A moving and lively celebration of life for a great cause as all funds collected will go towards a new breast screening center at the Princess Grace Hospital, and most importantly to create further awareness campaigns to promote breast health through early screening, detection and prevention.
“Remember, the feeling you get for a good run is far better than sitting around and wishing you were running.” Sarah Condor, Runner & Author
Monaco Reporter 