The 2021 edition in brief:
- 200 teams of 2 to 9 runners met this weekend in Pully
- The whole of Lake Geneva vibrated to the rhythm of the race
- 215 km covered during 2 days and 1 night
- 29 relay points, 74 communes, 3 Swiss cantons and 1 French department crossed
In teams of 2 to 9 runners, 200 teams set off on Saturday between 10am and 5pm from Pully with a single goal: to run around Lake Geneva. Under a summer sun, the runners called “Mates” set off on the course in a festive and friendly atmosphere. Over two days and one night, they encouraged each other, surpassed themselves, welded together, but above all experienced an extraordinary human adventure that will remain in their memories forever.
Once a Mate, always a Mate
Between the need to get together with colleagues, the desire to extend the summer with friends, the desire to raise funds or meet new people, the Mates strengthened their ties by participating in this unforgettable 3rd edition.
One team got to know each other through the Facebook group “Find your Mates” and tells us about their experience: “It was good to be with Mates that we don’t know, it was even better. We respected each other’s wishes and needs even more. It was great to discover each other during the race and we didn’t stop talking, even at 4am. It was my best edition, I loved it and I’ll be back next year, especially with strangers!”
The Mates were very creative with their team names and some even came up with battle cries. We heard the “Running Dream Team” proclaim “as long as it doesn’t snow, everything is fine” or the “Chicken Run” cackle “Cocorico”.
This fun and playful spirit, specific to Run Mate, gives the adventure a real spirit of camaraderie.
The circle is complete
The incredible challenge of running around the majestic Lake Geneva was successfully completed. Some teams, loyal to the event, wanted to beat their time from previous years, while others had the sole objective of finishing and having fun with their fellow Mates.
The first team, “Team Brio Maté”, the big winner of this edition, finished in 15h09’30. The captain, proud of his team, says about their victory: “It’s the second time we’ve participated and we had a lot of fun again. It went really well, we were well organised. This first place was unexpected, we didn’t expect to do so well. We’ll enjoy it with a Mate and a beer and we’re already looking forward to coming back next year.”
On the ULTRA side, the “5 Mecs en Balade !” did the lap of the lake in 15:31:10. A time also notable since there are only 5 in their brigade.
Beyond the race, 5 challenges kept the Mates busy while waiting for their runner between the different relays. An “Intello Quiz” with one question per relay point allowed the participants to work their brains.
The craziest teams dressed up as Snow White and the 7 dwarfs or as the towns crossed around the lake to take part in the “Carnival of the Mates”.
The fastest Mates were assigned to run the 3 sections of the course specially dedicated to speed challenges called “My Legs Are Better Than Yours” while the most eco-friendly collected cigarette butts found along the course.
The last challenge, The Camera Pro, will consist of sending a video montage of the best moments of the adventure a few weeks after the event.
See you in 2022
Today, Sunday 26 September, the teams reached the end of this adventure with smiles on their faces and stars in their eyes. Benjamin Chandelier, director of the event, is also moved:
“We are proud to be able to organise an event as exceptional as Run Mate. We have seen smiles, tears and so many emotions that fill us with happiness. Run Mate will always be remembered and we are already looking forward to the next edition.”
With these words, we would like to thank our partners, our volunteers, the Cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Valais as well as the Haute-Savoie department. We particularly thank the commune of Pully as well as all the communes of Bourg en Lavaux, Vevey, Montreux, Villeneuve, Port-Valais, Saint-Gingolph, Meillerie, Lugrin, Evian-Les-Bains, Thonon-Les-Bains, Anthy-sur-Léman, Excenevex, Yvoire, Chens-sur-Léman, Veigy-Foncenex, Meinier, Geneva, Pregny-Chambésy, Versoix, Coppet, Nyon, Prangins, Bursinel, Rolle, Aubonne, Morges, Préverenges, Lausanne and the 45 other municipalities crossed. “
The waiting list for the 2022 edition is already open if you too want to become a Mate, book your place quickly (they are limited!): Click here
2021 key facts :
- 3rd edition
- 215 km race course with signage and security
- 2 to 9 runners per team
- 200 teams
- 175 Team (6 to 9 per team)
- 25 Ultra (2 to 5 per team)
- 16 student teams (with special discount)
- 29 relays
- 2 days and 1 night
- 2 countries: Switzerland and France
- 3 cantons: Vaud, Valais, Geneva
- 1 departement : Haute-Savoie
- Relays from 3km to 13km
- 250 volunteers
- 5 out-of-race challenges
- 40% women
- 60% men
- 37 years old in average
