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Athletissima’s Track Festival got off to a great start this weekend! On the Ouchy waterfront, more than 500 starts were recorded during the “Challenge”, on a 150m course laid out along Quai Jean-Pascal Delamuraz in Lausanne.
People of all ages, from 2 to 70 and beyond, took part in this fun event, with more than 1,000 participants coming together to get active and enjoy a great time.
In a wonderfully festive atmosphere, some ran with pushchairs, their dogs or on scooters. It was also an opportunity for nearly 500 people to challenge the reaction time of Ditaji Kambundji, Athletissima ambassador who will race on Friday evening at Pontaise.
Using professional starting blocks, the world 100m hurdles champion’s reaction time of 0.146 seconds was beaten this weekend, with a new best of 0.113. There are still two more opportunities to beat it, Tuesday from 4pm to 6pm and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm!
The 20th edition of the traditional Relais des mini-stars on Saturday saw 150 relay teams take part in the magnificent setting of the Olympic Museum gardens, including 36 teams competing in the family category. Just a few hours before the Swiss women’s 4x100m relay won a superb silver medal at the European Championships in Birmingham, these young athletes passed the baton with stars in their eyes, watched over by local star Sarah Atcho-Jaquier and Keshorn Walcott, Olympic champion (2012) and world champion (2025) in the javelin, who signed hundreds of autographs.
The Trinidadian javelin star was also the surprise guest and took part outside the competition in the javelin competition at Sunday’s Club Cup final at Stade Pierre-de-Coubertin in Vidy.
The day showcased the next generation of athletics talent in French-speaking Switzerland, bringing together the eight best clubs after nine qualifying rounds.
LS claimed its fifth victory in the last seven editions. And who knows, some of these promising young athletes may one day find themselves competing on the Athletissima track! The LS has claimed its fifth victory in the last seven editions. And some of these promising athletes may one day find themselves on the track at Athletissima!