The 5th edition of the Marinières en Rose took place this weekend in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Several formats were offered, including the famous aquathlon on Marinières beach, to support women with breast cancer. A particularly successful 2026 edition with 800 participants and a check for 15,000 euros handed over to the CHPG in Monaco.
Yesterday morning in Villefranche-sur-Mer, the atmosphere was festive on Marinières beach for the second day of the Marinières en Rose operation. Dressed in pink, women, men, children and even pets were preparing to take part in the various events of the morning to contribute to the fight against breast cancer.
On the agenda for this Sunday morning, the two flagship events of the occasion, the Pink Walk, a five-kilometer seaside stroll that started at 10 o’clock, then the Maxi Rose (three loops with 200 meters of swimming and 1.5 km of running, Ed. note), an aquathlon that started at 11 o’clock.
During the weekend, other events were available, such as the Relay of the Bay, the Crossing of the Bay or even the 2026 novelty: the Little Pinks, a race for children ages 2 to 12. Enough to mobilize young and old, swimmers and runners, around one goal: raising awareness about breast cancer.
For Patricia Plessis, founder of the event, the pride is immense: « we’re in the most beautiful bay in the world, so when imagining the event here we said to ourselves: “how can we not swim?” We have extraordinary playground, I actually think we’re the only aquathlon for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in France. The first year, there was only one event and about 70 participants. Five years later, we have ten times more registrations, it’s magnificent. »
Going beyond limits for a good cause
Finish line crossed, smiles never left faces. After five kilometers of walking shared with her 10-year-old daughter, Claudie was savoring her third participation in the event: « it was super nice, as always. The weather was perfect too, a real treat. »
Directly affected by breast cancer, it was important for her to get involved today: « the first year I came here, I was bald, and I came to inquire with the League to find support. It’s very important for me to get involved, to talk about the event. I’m happy to have done it with my daughter, she is fully concerned. »
Same feeling for the athletes of the Maxi Rose. Sara Saïz, amateur triathlete, disrupted her schedule to participate in this race: « it’s my first time here, I was supposed to do the Roquebrune triathlon but I canceled to come here. I know people and the cause is particularly close to my heart, so the choice was quick, it’s important to me. Besides, apparently I finish second, so it’s a great day. »
Photo: DR – Romain Boyer
15,000 euros for the CHPG in Monaco
The big winner of this operation is the CHPG (Princess Grace Hospital Center) in Monaco. The deputy general director of the CHPG, Malik Albert, present at the event, was delighted with this mobilization and detailed the use of these funds: « in cancer care management, there are three phases: the clinical part, research, and supportive care. For us, it’s in supportive care that we will use this money, that is, all the social support for women after their illness, psychological support, dietetics, cosmetic aspects. »
Malik Albert wants to remind us, support is not limited to the period of illness. There is support work, after remission, which is essential, but there is also preventive work, to detect the disease as quickly as possible, which is decisive.
This preventive aspect is highlighted by Marinières en Rose. An awareness stand on self-examination was set up at the entrance of the start village to teach women how to detect any possible problem on their chest.
Marinières en Rose is not just a race to fight breast cancer, it’s an event that is committed to the complete process, from prevention to remission. And Patricia Plessis assures us, it’s far from over: « I can’t tell you too much, we’re keeping the surprise for later, but we have plenty of new ideas in mind for 2027. »
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