Over a hundred participants took part in the 13th edition of this competition combining swimming and running. The event involved 400 meters of swimming and 1.2 kilometers of running, to be repeated twice for women and three times for men. These distances were covered along the Esplanade of Seagulls, by the beach, amidst sun-loving onlookers.
No time to pause, for both women (race at 6 p.m.) and men (7 p.m.). The aquathlon is unique in that participants must change gear during the transition from water to land: put on shoes, shorts, a t-shirt, and continue. This is necessary for amateurs, but the more seasoned participants are well-equipped. With their triathlon suits on their shoulders, they almost never stop and seem unbeatable.
68 men and 44 women from the region and Italy participated in this triathlon offshoot, which deserves more recognition according to Eric Lepetitcollin. The secretary of the Saint-Laurentin Triathlon club, organizer of the event, mentions “an intense effort despite the short distance. It’s physical,” he explains, but also “friendly.” This is due to the audience being close to the athletes—families of participants, and perhaps even more so, locals and tourists. While some lounged on the pebbles, others came closer to engage with the race.
### A Serious Mindset… or Not
Among the top contenders, despite the ticking clock, the effort remains steady, and their faces are stoic. Leading the race is the duo of Frenchman Kévin Maurel and Italian Daniel Polizzi. In the end, it is Maurel who will definitively pull away from Polizzi after the final swim, claiming victory while others are only starting their third lap.
Elsewhere, others are making steady progress in good spirits. One competitor smiles and grimaces at his wife and daughter, his premium supporters. Meanwhile, Alain, with his Monegasque triathlon suit on his shoulders, entertains the crowd before diving into the 27°C water one last time. “An old hand,” a volunteer from the organizing club shares.
She and her colleagues cheer on athletes they know, always with kind words and a smile. “Come on Richard,” “Go Alain,” “Don’t give up,” and other supportive gestures follow. It just goes to show that combining competition and pleasure is indeed possible.
