The dean is back. The SaintéLyon, created in 1952, returns this year for its 67th edition. The 2021 edition having been canceled due to the health crisis. The race, for those who have chosen the integral or the round trip, will start from Saint-Étienne and its Expo Park this Saturday from 11:30 p.m.
The runners at the rendezvous
It’s the privilege of old ladies, see you soon 70, it will have them next year, the SaintéLyon will still bring together around 16,000 runners. Overall, natural races have all recorded a decrease in participation this year.. “This is due in particular to the health pass and the constraints of the crisis explains Michel Sorine, organizer of SaintéLyon. We are doing very well with a small drop of 10%. For other races it’s 30% to 50% “.
The goal is not to break records anyway. The gauge will now always remain around the 17,000 registered because on the organization side it is estimated that “the paths of the Mont du lyonnais are not extendable“.
Cold, rain and snow expected
This year around 400 courageous people will venture on the round trip and its 154 km. It was one of the novelties in 2019. For 2021, no new route but novelties of a logistical nature with the new Parc Expo de Saint-Étienne and a change of reception location at the Relais de Chaponost (Rhône). Upgrades in terms of comfort. It is up to the runners to take advantage of it because cold (negative temperatures at night), rain and perhaps snow are expected.