Ermanno Di Miceli has been traversing France by swimming and running since May 15th. On June 12th, the athlete arrives in Nice for his last leg before crossing the finish line the following day in Menton.
“Happy, excited, and a little sad to reach the end,” is how Ermanno Di Miceli feels upon arriving in Nice. Only 40 kilometers separate him from the finish line he has dreamed of for a month. Having set off from the town of Bray-Dunes near Dunkirk on May 15th, he will achieve his goal on June 13th by linking Nice to Menton.
He has given himself 30 days to cross France solo, covering 1400 kilometers relying solely on the strength of his body and mind. On June 12th, he set off from Cannes to arrive at the Promenade des Anglais, Plage du Centenaire in Nice, the city where he is making his last stop. It’s the first time he’s undertaken such a challenge, yet he is on course to succeed, with a smile.
The Equivalent of More Than a Marathon a Day
The challenge he has embarked on is colossal. A former triathlete, he trained until he was injured for the 2019 Ironman World Championship. He couldn’t stay away from sports for long before his desire to push himself returned. The urge to accomplish something exceptional was present. “The Agrippa Challenge came to me quite quickly,” he confides. “Agrippa” is the name of the ancient Roman road whose route he is following since his departure.
For this project, he leaves the bike behind and becomes a swimrunner. Swimming and running are thus his only means of progress. For about a month, this lifelong athlete has been running about 60 kilometers a day, the equivalent of more than a marathon. And when possible, he swims 3 to 4 kilometers.
A Warm Welcome in Nice
And he wasn’t alone upon arriving in Nice at midday. Human warmth was abundant under the azure sun. The Nice Triathlon Club and Team Nissa Triathlon wanted to accompany him for a few kilometers. It was a humble way to welcome him to the City of Angels and show their support for the athlete and his Agrippa Challenge. “Because when you see the challenge he’s taking on, you can’t help but lend a hand,” shares Vincent Isaïa, president of Team Nissa Triathlon, who admires this extraordinary achievement.
Barbara Prot, municipal councilor for health and charitable associations, and Richard Chemla, deputy mayor of Nice for Health, Ecology, and Well-being, were present to welcome and congratulate the champion.
Raising Funds for Research and the Environment
Motivated by the desire to surpass himself and fight for others, Ermanno Di Miceli is undertaking this challenge for a good cause. He has chosen to fight for health and the environment, two causes particularly close to his heart.
A father of four, he has carefully chosen two associations to donate part of the funds raised from this journey at the beginning of October. They are the Imagine For Margo Foundation, which prioritizes accelerating research against children’s cancer. He also fights for Une Bouteille à la Mer association, which raises awareness of climate threats we face.
To financially contribute to the Agrippa Challenge fundraising, you can do so here. It currently amounts to over 4,000 euros, and another fund brings the total to 6,000 euros. Even after the challenge ends, the collection continues; the fund will remain online and open until the end of summer.
