The team participating under the banner Hand in Hand for Everyone’s Happiness experienced eight intense days during the 26th edition of the No Finish Line in Monaco. Sport, solidarity, and encounters paced a participation leaving a lasting impression on all project members.
The No Finish Line in Monaco concluded on Sunday, November 23rd. For the participants of Hand in Hand for Everyone’s Happiness, the end of this first adventure arouses a mixed feeling about a short but dense project. The eight days required energy, courage, and meticulous organization. The runners recount tough moments but also light ones, where mutual support took center stage.
The objectives set beforehand were achieved earlier than expected. The hoped-for 5,000 km were exceeded midweek. The counter kept climbing, reaching 9,882.77 km. The team finished in 6th place among 392 participating groups. The ranking matters, but it is the interactions experienced on the track that leave a mark. With the money raised, the association will help fund a new prosthesis for Olivier Zampatti, a para-athlete involved in the project, and offer a trip to visually impaired youth aged 10 to 15, seeking new experiences.
The team comprised seasoned runners, walkers, para-athletes, guides, and volunteers who came to support the effort. Some participants were discovering the No Finish Line, while others were already familiar with it. At the end of this adventure, everyone shared the same impression: a week that transforms the way they experience the race.
The collective was built around simple gestures: guiding visually impaired athletes, assisting a mobility-impaired athlete, encouraging an injured runner trying to continue their effort, offering presence on a nighttime relay… These interactions created a unique atmosphere. The barriers related to disability faded away. Everyone found their place in a setup where listening was as important as performance.
Among the highlights, the journey of Olivier Zampatti often comes up in conversations. The para-athlete completed a marathon each day, finishing with 361.26 km. At the event’s conclusion, he delivered a message to the entire team: “thank you all for an incredibly amazing week! This No Finish Line will be etched in memory.” He also spoke of strangers who became friends, taking the opportunity to thank everyone who came out. Sports unite, and they show that anything is possible when you have the will.” A beautiful message concluding with repeated thanks and certain enthusiasm for continuing the journey with Anices.
“ This is the last time I’m doing this madness ”
Siri, a visually impaired athlete, was among the most committed sportspeople of the week. At the race’s end, her guide, Stéphane Duflot, described his feelings at the finish: “happy that everyone enjoyed the No Finish Line and got into it, pushing themselves and doing much more than expected… This is the last time I’m doing this madness,” he added like many athletes after achieving a feat, only to acknowledge that Siri’s commitment gives him the strength to continue. He described their return to reality, sorting belongings, the fatigue, and reading heartwarming support messages: “it touched us deeply” while congratulating the whole group. Stéphane praised Olivier’s achieved goal and mentioned the help from Siri’s usual guides, as well as the “good humor and smile” of the president of the Anices, Sébastien Filippini. For him, the No Finish Line, “that’s what it is.” He concluded with a message of recovery and a “see you soon for new adventures.”
These testimonials show the atmosphere experienced on the track. They also remind us of the human dimension of the project. The kilometers matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. Many remember the cohesion, smiles, and steadfast gestures to support the most vulnerable athletes. The presence of able-bodied runners, visually impaired individuals, amputee athletes, and mobility-impaired participants gave the group a unique identity. The sporting challenge now serves as a learning space to understand each person’s needs and find the right way to help.
The team will invite everyone on December 12th at the Holiday Inn Nice Centre to celebrate this first participation. Another highlight is planned on Saturday, November 29th during the 10th edition of the International Women’s Torball Tournament at the Albert Malatesta Sports Complex in Nice.
