At sunrise, the harbour of Monaco is not awakening gently, it is humming. On the Quai Albert-Ier the air tightens with anticipation. Sneakers tap asphalt. Breath fogs in the cool February light. Then, thousands of runners surge forward.
The 16th edition of the Monaco Run Gramaglia filled the streets with motion, purpose, and an unmistakable sense that this event is outgrowing its own legend.
A weekend that moved a nation in miniature
Across two days, more than 4,500 participants traced routes between sea and skyline, a significant leap from previous years. Saturday belonged to youthful energy and trail enthusiasts; Sunday unfurled into a choreography of elite competition, public races, and a solidarity walk stitched together by shared intention.
Before the mass start, the spotlight fell on an athlete whose presence alone can shift the gravity of a race. Triple Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon stepped onto the Monaco course for her first road experience, testing speed against the flat Mediterranean edge. It was less a debut than a quiet dialogue between track royalty and a city built on curves, terraces, and improbable ascents.
Minutes later, nearly 1,700 runners followed, transforming the waterfront into a ribbon of movement.
Speed written in salt air
If Monaco’s streets are synonymous with Formula 1 precision, the 5 km race echoed that same obsession with velocity. Dutch runner Diane Van Es delivered one of the defining moments of the weekend, shattering the European women’s record in a mixed race with a time of 14:33.
Young athletes added their own punctuation marks, with multiple European U23 bests confirming that Monaco is not merely hosting races; it is cultivating milestones.
The 10 km, more democratic in spirit, crowned French-Moroccan runner Kertoum Abdellah in 30:25.
Running for something larger than time
Beyond personal bests and podium finishes, another rhythm pulsed through the Principality: solidarity.
The Monaco Pink Ribbon Walk gathered hundreds in support of the fight against breast cancer. Pink garments fluttered in the sea breeze, conversations flowed across languages, and partnerships formed between organizations from across Europe. Among the walkers, a firefighter from the United States wore black in remembrance of the 25th anniversary of September 11.
A city learning to run together
Events like this reshape how a place feels to its residents. Streets usually dominated by cars and buses belonged instead to footsteps and cheers. Spectators leaned over barriers, strangers applauded stranger for shared effort.
Organizers now face a pleasant dilemma: growth. Participation has surged, and ambitions are expanding. Future editions may welcome larger fields and deeper elite competition, while Monaco’s athletics calendar continues to strengthen with upcoming European small states championships and the summer Herculis meeting.
On Sunday afternoon, as the final finishers crossed the line and medals clinked softly against tired chests, the streets returned to their polished calm.
Monaco did not simply host a race.
It discovered, once again, how far a small place can move when everyone moves together.
