In turn, Pascal THIRIOT, President of Azur Sport Organisation, and Matthieu ETANCELIN, General Coordinator, reviewed the past year marked by its three annual events: the Prom’Classic, the Raid CANCA, the International Nice Half-Marathon, as well as upcoming events including the first edition of the Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes Marathon on November 9, 2008.
The Prom’Classic, the first annual event by Azur Sport Organisation, holds its place as the 2nd largest 10 km race in France and proudly claims its international label granted in 2006 and 2007. On January 6th of last year, the event achieved a new record with 4340 participants (including 1168 women) compared to 3700 in 2006, registering a significant increase of 17% in total participants. The 2007 edition was also marked by a historic event: the complete closure of the Promenade des Anglais for the duration of the race and an exceptional start on both lanes for the 4340 participants. The event also set two new performance records: Saïd TBIBI with 28’38’’ for men and Christelle DAUNAY with 33’14’’ for women. As usual, women in 2008 will benefit from a staggered start a few minutes after their male competitors. However, for the 9th edition, organizers decided to pay a small tribute to the previous year by planning to start the women 4’36’’ ahead of the men, which is exactly the difference at the finish in 2007 between the first woman and the first man.
The next goal for the Prom’Classic: break the number of entries and achieve first place in the ranking of the top 10 km races in France.
Registrations and information: [www.promclassic.com](https://www.promclassic.com)
The Raid CANCA, the second event organized by Azur Sport Organisation, celebrated its third edition this year. This sports event, initiated by the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolitan Area, hosted in 2007, 49 ranked teams with nearly 200 participants over two days. Nine new towns in the high and middle country were highlighted: Nice, Beaulieu-Sur-Mer, Cap d’Ail, Eze, Falicon, La Trinité, Saint-André-de-la-Roche, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Villefranche-sur-Mer. Four main stages were proposed: Saturday: prologue in Nice and exploration of the castle park in a marked orienteering race; Saturday evening: night trail in Falicon with headlamps; Sunday morning exploration of Cap d’Ail, La Trinité, and Eze with orienteering, mountain biking, and climbing followed by a coastal course in Beaulieu-sur-Mer and a discovery of the harbor of Villefranche-sur-Mer in a canoe in the afternoon. The year 2007 was also one of initiation into the raid universe open to the general public with the launch of the first edition of CANCAVENTURE in Nice with activity stands for nearly 600 participants of all ages.
See you in 2008 for a new edition of the Raid CANCA and CANCAVENTURE.
With 7602 participants and 20% from abroad, the International Nice Half-Marathon was undoubtedly the major event of 2007 for Azur Sport Organisation. This 16th edition once again gained unanimous approval from participants who came from all over the world with its four race options: 21.1 km, 10 km, 3 km “All Nice Runs against Breast Cancer” sponsored by actress Adeline BLONDIEAU, and a 2 km Running Challenge for Colleges offered to the 9-15 age group along with multiple activities and musical entertainment at the village and finish line.
On April 20th, the 17th International Nice Half-Marathon will aim to break the 8000 entries mark!
Registrations and information: [www.nicesemimarathon.com](https://www.nicesemimarathon.com)
But, the Azur Sport Organisation association does not intend to stop there, as on October 8th ASO officially launched the first edition of the Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes Marathon; this event will take place on November 9, 2008. Thus, this will be a fourth event under the organization’s responsibility with the title partner being the Alpes-Maritimes General Council. The cities of Nice and Cannes, respectively the starting and finishing cities of the event, are “institutional partners.” This exceptional event already aims for 10,000 runners for its first year and hopes to quickly be counted among the leading marathons in France.
Registrations and information: [www.marathon06.com](https://www.marathon06.com)
You can already register and take advantage of preferential rates to participate in the following three events: the Prom’Classic (Current rate: 10€ until December 1st), the International Nice Half-Marathon (Current rate: 13€ until January 31st), and the Alpes-Maritimes Nice-Cannes Marathon. (Current rate: 35€ until December 31st)
