Extreme weather conditions dampened solidarity race
The 20th edition of the No Finish Line culminated Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 17:05, after only 171 hours of racing versus the usual 194 hours. The famous solidarity race was one of the collateral damages of extreme weather conditions in the area these past few days, that lead to its early closure.
The No Finish Line is a generous, cosmopolitan race, a friendly meeting place, a great vehicle for internal mobilization for the many teams competing, 347 this year, a personal challenge for individual participants and a sporting event, sought after by seasoned racers. The main objective is to raise funds for projects to help underprivileged children, with over 3.6 million euros already donated since the start of the NFL.
Due to security reasons, the dam in Fontvieille that is an integral part of the NFL circuit had to be closed Friday evening at 22:30 and then reopened Saturday at 11:30. But weather conditions seriously deteriorated with the French government giving first an Orange Alert followed soon after by a Red Alert in the area of the Alps Maritimes. Strong waves submerged the dam in Fontvieille injuring a French 40-year-old woman residing in Monaco participating in the race, at the moment the circuit was in the process of being closed again, this time definitely. The victim suffered fractures and remains hospitalized in Nice University Hospital but her vital prognosis is improving, and we pray for her total recovery. Several other racers were also violently covered by an immense wave, but miraculously were spared from serious consequences. In hindsight the circuit should not have been reopened Saturday in the first place.
The NFL organizers were very proactive in offering overnight refuge to the NFL participants, who were unable to return to their homes, inside the Chapiteau Fontvieille, with the help of the Monegasque Red Cross and the Government of Monaco.
The very bad weather that reigned throughout the race presented an added challenge to the endurance of the participants and the expected results. For this reason, the main goal of 450,000 km could not be achieved and around 2,600 people never made it to the circuit.
- 11,624 runners or walkers walked the circuit (14,278 last year) versus 14,736 who had registered.
- 292,626 km traveled, (450,000 expected and about 40,000 km less than last year). Organizers lost about 1 day in km compared to last year that the extreme weather never allowed them to catch up.
To compensate for the lack of kilometers traveled, Children & Future decided to pay € 1.20 per kilometer instead of the original € 1 per kilometer, or € 351,151, to finance 20 projects in favor of sick or underprivileged children.
Sports results
The awards were presented in the presence of the Minister of State, Patrice Cellario, Jacques Pastor and Stéphane Valeri. (Photo: The NFL 2019 winners prized in the presence of Serge Telle, Stephane Valeri and Patrick Cellario @NFL Press)
Individual Men
- The Prince’s Cup was awarded to Daniele Juan Alimonti for 804 km traveled and 1st time winner.
- Robert Miorin with 743km (one of the 5 men having exceeded 1000km on the NFL Monaco since its creation)
- Patrice Latch with 730 km.
Individual Women
- The Prince’s Cup was awarded Mimi Chevillon with 628 km, already winner in the last 3 years. She came 4th in the general classification.
- Paola Coccato Zurcher with 599 km.
- Annick Fouchard Djebli with 554 km.
Teams
- Collaboration United We Stand with 18,900km.
- Cardio-Thoracic Center of Monaco with 9796 km
- CMB with 9601km.
The Official 24-hour race had to be canceled, with 85 individual riders and 17 relay teams registered.
No Finish Line Trophy – This trophy recognizes participants of the NFL Monaco who achieved the best performance in Kilometers on at least 1 NFL’s. There are 6 NFL in the world today: Paris, Oslo, Nice, Athens, Monaco and Bratislava.
- No. 1 Women: Cathy Muller with 430 km, who won Paris and Nice.
- No. 1 Men: Patrice Latch with 730 km who participated this year in all the NFL. He also won the Special Trophy by winning at least once all the existing NFLs.
Comparative 2018
- 15,680 registered and 14278 participants
- 432 662 km traveled
- Prince Cup: 900 km Didier Sessegolo
- 1st woman: 843 km Mimi Chevillon
- 1st team: Charles III College with 27,512 km
Mark your calendars!
See you in November 2020 for the 21st No Finish Line with new records to beat!
Today’s Quote
“Nothing, not even pain, lasts forever. If I can just keep putting one foot in front of the other, I will eventually get to the end.” — Kim Cowart, runner and journalist
Monaco Reporter 