Run Mate by Core Lean Lake Geneva: An unforgettable sporting adventure in the heart of the Lake Geneva Region

The Run Mate by Core Lean Lake Geneva is not just a race. It is a human adventure, a sporting challenge, and an exceptional moment of sharing, set in the enchanting surroundings of the Lake Geneva basin. The weekend of September 21-22, 2024, will mark the 6th edition of this unique event, where teams of 2 to 9 participants will relay over 220 km around Lake Geneva, creating unforgettable memories and forging unbreakable bonds.

A concept that combines competition and camaraderie

The Run Mate is based on a simple yet powerful concept: each team must relay through 26 marked segments around the lake, with each relay varying from 4 to 15 km. While one team member is running, the others move in a van or car to the next relay point, where the atmosphere is lively and filled with mutual support. Teams can choose their strategy, distribute the distances according to each member’s strengths and preferences, and thus maximize their performance while enjoying the experience.

Beyond the race itself, Run Mate also offers parallel challenges to add an extra dose of fun and friendly competition. Once the race is over, participants gather around a good meal to celebrate their achievements together and share moments of camaraderie that beautifully conclude this intense adventure.

Three captains, three approaches

For this edition, three teams from Léman Running are preparing to take on the challenge. Captains Thando, Jorge, and Damien share their experiences, preparations, and tips for tackling this unique event, each with their own style and vision of what the Run Mate represents.

Thando: The rigorous organization of Léman Running Vaud

Thando, captain of the Léman Running Vaud team, embodies a methodical and organized approach. From the very first stages of preparation, he emphasizes structuring every detail. “The first phase is to register the team as early as possible to benefit from the best rates,” he explains. But registration is just the beginning of a more complex process. Selecting team members is crucial, as potential substitutes must be planned in case of any last-minute dropouts. “The key to success is involving every team member in the organization,” notes Thando, who has extensive experience managing teams for the Run Mate.

This collective involvement translates into a clear distribution of roles and responsibilities within the team. Thando ensures that everyone has a specific task, whether it’s related to logistics, nutrition, or relay preparation. This collaborative approach not only lightens the individual workload but also strengthens team cohesion and spirit. “My role is to coordinate all of this and to keep the team motivated,” he adds, emphasizing the importance of teamwork for the success of the event.

Thando has countless memories from previous editions, as this will be his fifth participation. One of the most memorable anecdotes he recalls is from the first edition, where he and a teammate got lost during their night relay—a stressful experience that ultimately strengthened the camaraderie within the team. “One of our teammates got lost for 45 minutes at night on the French side, without a headlamp!” he recounts. These unexpected challenges are part of the magic of the Run Mate, turning each difficulty into an opportunity to push beyond limits.

Jorge: the philosophy of team Les Loutres – Léman Running

For Jorge, captain of Team Les Loutres, the Run Mate is much more than a competition. It’s a collective journey where team spirit takes precedence over everything else. “We train regularly throughout the year, and as the race approaches, we intensify our efforts to prepare for the specific conditions of the event,” he explains. The training focuses not only on physical endurance but also on mental preparation, which is essential for facing the challenges of a 24-hour race.

Previous editions have given Jorge and his team unforgettable memories. He fondly recalls a runner who chose to take on the challenge in sandals—a bold decision for a 12 km relay with a 300-meter elevation gain. Or the time a teammate got lost during a relay, forcing the team to guide her back using the Run Mate GPS to help her find her way. These moments, both stressful and amusing, are integral to the Run Mate experience and strengthen the bonds within the team.

Balancing the relays is another crucial aspect for Jorge. He ensures that each team member has a route suited to their abilities, maintaining a positive group dynamic while avoiding the risk of injuries. “We’re careful not to burn out on the early relays so that we can maintain our pace throughout the day,” he explains, a lesson learned the hard way during their first edition.

Damien: The friendly spirit of Léman Running Genève

Damien, captain of the Léman Running Genève team, takes a more relaxed yet equally effective approach. “We run regularly for fun, without any pressure,” he says. What motivates his team to return year after year is the friendly atmosphere, the beauty of the course, and the joy of running together. For Damien and his team, the Run Mate is above all an opportunity to reunite with friends and enjoy this sporting adventure without being overwhelmed by the competition.

Damien and his team don’t follow a specific training regimen for the Run Mate, but they know how to organize themselves so that everyone can fully enjoy the experience. Flexibility is the key word in their strategy. “We relay in a flexible way, staying attuned to each other’s needs,” Damien explains. This flexibility allows them to adapt to unexpected events and ensures that each team member feels supported, especially during the night relays when fatigue can become a major challenge.

Among the standout moments from past editions for Damien are the spectacular sunrises, a time when the accumulated fatigue of the night suddenly fades away with the beauty of the landscape. “Every year, the relay at sunrise is particularly memorable,” he says. For Damien, running with Léman Running is an opportunity to take on a collective challenge while enjoying the most pleasant aspects of running.

Alessandro: the volunteer heart of Run Mate

Alessandro, head of the volunteer team for Léman Running, is a passionate runner who, along with his team, has supported the Run Mate since its first edition. Each year, he manages the relay point in Gland, where he energizes and supports participants throughout the day. For him, it’s a way to experience the race from the inside, encourage all the runners, and support the organizers. “It’s a way to encourage all participants, live this unique race from the inside, and support the organizers who work hard to offer a race full of challenges,” Alessandro explains.

This year again, Alessandro and his team will be present from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM in Gland, and he invites anyone who wants to experience this from the inside to come and help. The Gland relay is a crucial point for the teams, a place where runners can not only receive support but also recharge before continuing on the route. Thanks to the energy and dedication of Alessandro and his volunteer team, this relay has become a true gathering point for participants.
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Interview with Benjamin Chandelier, Race Director

Creation and Vision

What inspired you to create Run Mate, and what was your initial vision for the event?

Benjamin Chandelier: Run Mate by Core Lean is really the story of passionate people like us who had a dream: to run around our beautiful Lake Geneva. However, our physical abilities didn’t allow us to run non-stop for more than 200 km… And since we love mutual support, sharing, and teamwork, we decided to create this new event format by making running a team sport where “mates” would take turns running around Lake Geneva, visiting more than 70 municipalities, 3 Swiss cantons, and one French department. In short, it’s an incredible human adventure, with stunning landscapes (we do have the most beautiful place in the world to run 😊), intense physical effort, all wrapped up in joy, good humor, and mutual support.

Organization and Logistics

What are the main challenges you face when organizing an event of this scale?

Benjamin Chandelier: This will be the 7th edition, so the event is now easier to organize than the first edition, which took almost a year and a half of preparation. Indeed, there are more than 70 municipalities, two countries, between 25 and 30 relay points, and we had to meet with various local authorities to explain our project and convince them, as we were starting from scratch. Today, all the municipalities are fully on board and support us because, without them, we wouldn’t be able to do anything. We even have municipalities each year asking us to host a relay point. This beautiful event, which also offers a cross-border experience (there aren’t many of those), wouldn’t be possible without the mobilization of many volunteers who accompany us throughout the weekend—at the start and finish in Montreux, along the routes, at the relay points… It was a real challenge during the first editions, especially in areas around the lake where we had fewer contacts. Today, our loyal volunteers accompany us and allow the teams to have an unforgettable experience. A huge thank you to them!

Evolution of the Race

How has Run Mate evolved since its inception?

Benjamin Chandelier: Run Mate by Core Lean immediately found its audience, and from the very first edition, we had a large number of teams at the start. Growth was slightly hindered by COVID, but it has since picked up significantly, reaching an exceptional level of enthusiasm, particularly this year, where we have been fully booked for several months with 250 teams (a limit we set to maintain good organization and high-quality management). Currently, almost 100 teams are on the waiting list, and we are considering how to increase the number of teams while maintaining excellent organization to satisfy as many teams as possible.

What innovations or improvements have you implemented for the 2024 edition?

Benjamin Chandelier: Every year, we carefully analyze participant feedback to modify or correct certain aspects of the organization. In 2024, there won’t be any major changes, but rather refinements—for example, in certain sections of the course or in how we support and prepare participants. We will also be announcing a new partner soon who will assist in these preparations.

Participation and Impact

How do you explain the growing success of Run Mate among runners?

Benjamin Chandelier: This event is unique in the running world because it’s a team effort that allows participants to complete the circuit around this beautiful lake. It’s a true human adventure, and there’s something magical that happens between the mates during the event. Today, people crave connection and sharing meaningful moments together while staying active, and Run Mate by Core Lean meets those needs perfectly.

What impact do you hope Run Mate will have on the local community and participants?

Benjamin Chandelier: Run Mate by Core Lean fosters encounters (teams meet at relay points and exchange a lot), and it also allows participants to discover unknown yet nearby areas. For the local community, it’s a way to highlight the region and instill pride in their lake, as this lake is the common bond between all the runners, whether they come from the canton of Geneva, Vaud, Valais, or even Haute-Savoie.

Challenges

How do you choose the parallel challenges to add a playful dimension to the event?

Benjamin Chandelier: Indeed, alongside this sporting challenge, and to reward as many teams as possible while highlighting our beautiful region and our partners, we organize what we call “off-race challenges.” These are varied and offer different ways to stand out: fun (with the “Mate Carnival”), athletic (with “My legs are better than yours”), regional culture (with the “Intello Quiz”), communication (with “Pro with the Camera”), and many others.

Advice for new participants

The three captains share some advice for new Run Mate participants. Thando recommends a rigorous organization and the involvement of every team member. He emphasizes the importance of carefully choosing the relay segments and involving everyone in the preparation to maximize the chances of success. Jorge, on the other hand, advises balancing the relay segments well to avoid injuries and maintain good team dynamics. He also reminds that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation.

Damien encourages new participants not to put too much pressure on themselves. “Enjoy every moment, have fun, and listen to your body,” he advises. Managing fatigue is crucial to succeeding in the Run Mate. Whether by staying well-hydrated, getting proper rest between relays, or encouraging each other, team spirit is key to overcoming the race’s challenges.

All the captains agree on the importance of team spirit. Run Mate, beyond the competition, is a collective adventure where every member plays an essential role. Moments of doubt or fatigue are inevitable, but they are overcome through mutual support and group cohesion.

Run Mate by Core Lean Lake Geneva is much more than just a relay race. It’s a collective adventure, a physical and mental challenge, and a unique sharing experience. Whether you are an experienced runner or a novice, this race will offer you unforgettable memories and an opportunity to push your limits as a team.

The Léman Running teams are ready to take on the challenge, driven by a spirit of camaraderie, passion, and self-improvement. Join us on September 21-22, 2024, to experience this exceptional adventure in the heart of the Lake Geneva region! Whether you are a runner, a volunteer, or simply a spectator, Run Mate promises unforgettable moments in a breathtaking natural setting.