Seine River Run Wrap Up
Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, we embarked on a journey to run over 800 kilometers along the entire length of the Seine River – a world first! From the river's pristine source to where it meets the sea at Le Havre, the #SeineRiverRun shows what we can achieve when we commit to doing hard things – whether it's running ridiculous distances or cleaning up France’s most iconic river.
We started from Source-Seine on June 5th and finished this incredible journey in Le Havre on July 4th, 2024. Over 30 days, I ran the equivalent of 20 marathons, navigating through diverse landscapes, from forests, fields, and farms to industrial and urban centers, including the heart of Paris.
It was a grueling challenge that was made even more difficult because of how unfit I was going into it. I had a bad injury in February which meant I couldn’t run until May… and even then, I only ran about 40km a week until the Seine River Run kicked off and pushed me up to 220km a week! I got through it because I trusted the people who believed in me, including my incredible ground team. None of this would have been possible without them and I am eternally grateful for their support.
But the Seine River Run is more than an athletic achievement; it’s a clarion call to the world. During the run, we met many inspiring individuals dedicated to the river's restoration. From Marie-Jeanne and Jacques, the devoted guardians of the Seine who visit its source daily, to Vincent and Sarah, passionate kayakers tirelessly collecting microplastics from its waters, the people we encountered embodied the spirit of resilience and commitment.
I also had the pleasure of meeting up with Pierre Rabadan, Deputy Mayor of Paris in charge of Sport, Olympics & Paralympics, and the Seine! He joined me for a jog along the Seine where we discussed the city’s unwavering dedication to bringing this iconic river back to life.
With all eyes on Paris for the 2024 Olympics, the transformation of the Seine River sets a benchmark for other river cities, highlighting the vital importance of healthy rivers for resilient societies, economies, and ecosystems worldwide. With dedication and care, every river can have this chance.
Bringing the Seine Back To Life
After decades of being used as a dumping ground, the Seine River was so degraded that only three fish species remained. It was declared functionally ‘dead,’ and many species disappeared from its waters completely. But today, we see a very different Seine. The river has undergone a remarkable transformation thanks to the Paris government's intensive clean-up and restoration efforts.
The Paris 2024 Olympics spurred a huge investment in restoring the river, with over US$1.5 billion spent on upgrading old infrastructure and constructing a massive new rainwater storage tank under Paris. These developments ensure that heavy rainfall does not overwhelm the city’s sanitation system and send sewage gushing into the river. With 90% less untreated wastewater flowing into the Seine than 20 years ago, the river is now home to 32 fish species, including the endangered Atlantic Salmon.
And it’s not just fish returning to its waters; people are too! After a century-long swimming ban, I met with a group of passionate Parisiens who swim in the river weekly – something that would have been impossible just a few years ago.
Major Olympic events such as the Men's and Women's Triathlons have also gone ahead in the Seine and I was lucky enough to watch them right from the riverbank! It was truly inspiring to see this iconic river in action, with some of the world's top athletes competing for gold in its waters.
The Broader Context
Healthy rivers are vital for enhancing water and food security, reversing nature loss, and adapting to climate change. However, globally, they have been dammed, drained, dredged, and polluted, undermining their diverse benefits to people and nature. The importance of healthy rivers is rising up the international agenda, with countries committing to restore 30% of degraded ‘inland waters’ by 2030 as part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Global Stocktake at COP28 in Dubai highlighting the importance of water and rivers to climate adaptation.
But there is an urgent need to accelerate action, and not only by governments – businesses and financial institutions also need to invest more in restoring healthy rivers as this will ensure long-term environmental stability, foster economic growth, and secure a sustainable future.
The Seine River Run has demonstrated that through perseverance and collective effort, the restoration of degraded rivers is possible. It hasn’t been easy, and the job is far from done, but the Seine’s transformation is a beacon of hope and a rallying cry to other river cities worldwide:
Restore your rivers to benefit your people and nature.
Huge thanks to the Seine River Run's Founding Partners Grundfos and to WWF, UNEP, Rotary International, Xylem, Ville de Paris, Valuing Water Initiative, Rocky Mountain Rowing Club and Asics for making this epic journey possible and joining the fight for healthy, restored rivers worldwide. We couldn't have done this without your support!
Love,
Mina
