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French ‘eco-adventurer’ runs 100 marathons for climate

A 30-year-old Frenchman is running 100 marathons in as many days to raise awareness of the carbon footprint left by major sporting events.

AFP

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Paris

Mon, November 28, 2022

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Run for the planet: French marathon runner Nicolas Vandenelsken (right), who calls himself an “eco-adventurer,“ is seen running with some children in a photo posted on Twitter account @UniVertSport, an association aiming to raise awareness on sport, planet and health. (Twitter/Uni-Vert Sport)

A 30-year-old Frenchman is running 100 marathons in as many days to raise awareness of the carbon footprint left by major sporting events.

"I do to my body what we do to the planet," Nicolas Vandenelsken, who calls himself an "eco-adventurer," told AFP as he reached Paris on his 84^th marathon, having crossed 10 regions since Sept. 3.

His itinerary of 42.2-kilometer marathons is to resemble a heart when seen on a map of France.

Vandenelsken—an activist in two associations dedicated to climate awareness in sport—has met children, associations and farmers along the way.

In Paris, he had a meeting with French Sports Minister Amelie Oudea-Castera, saying he told her, "Sport is an incredible lever to reach a maximum number of people."

Vandenelsken, who had doctors check his fitness before setting out, told AFP that "with my mental strength and with my training, I am able to get through this."

But he added, "I wouldn't advise anybody to run 100 marathons in 100 days, because I expect to feel the impact of this in my joints in five or 10 years' time."