29th edition of the Special Olympics race on October 16, 2025

The Special Olympics race will return to La Défense for its 29th edition on Thursday, October 16, 2025. This is an opportunity to run or walk for a good cause, as the funds raised will help people with intellectual disabilities thrive through sport.

The Special Olympics race is a well-known charity sporting event in the business district. Teams take turns running or walking to raise funds for the association of the same name. The goal? To help people living with disabilities participate in sports so they can develop self-esteem, form friendships, discover and share the joy of success, and see their abilities recognized by everyone!

For two hours, solidarity will be the order of the day during your lunch break thanks to a 4 x 2.5 km relay race, which can be run or walked! Each team formed will help fund sports and health programs:

• 1 team = 10 children discovering the Young Athletes program;
• 2 teams = 30 parents sharing a Family Sports Day with their children;
• 5 teams = 300 young people playing sports together thanks to Unified Sports;
• 10 teams = 10 soccer teams coming together for a Special Olympics National Tournament.

To register

Every year, the Special Olympics association organizes 14 inter-company charity races across France, as well as a 100% online challenge, during European Disability Employment Week. All proceeds are donated to the association so that it can support as many children, young people, and adults with intellectual disabilities as possible and enable them to flourish through sport.

Last year, more than 3,700 employees from 250 companies took part in this race.

More than 700,000 people in France live with a mental disability, so come and run for them!

Practical information: 
Thursday, October 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
La Défense esplanade