Benjamin Cattiau, an SNCF agent living in La Bassée, arrived in Villeneuve-d’Ascq on Sunday at noon, after a journey of more than 500 km on foot, and a little on bicycle because of an injury. Starting from Lille, he made a loop in the Hauts-de-France. A sporting challenge but also an environmental awareness action for the association Uni-Vert Sport.
Last Sunday, at the entrance of Decathlon Campus in Villeneuve-d’Ascq. Benjamin Cattiau arrives half an hour early. There are far fewer people than when he ran the Paris Marathon or other 42.2 km… And yet, what he has just achieved in thirteen days commands respect. This 43-year-old sportsman, who started running four years ago, had set himself a challenge: 12 times 42.2 km, with a one-day break in the middle, in addition to actions to raise awareness of the preservation of the planet, thanks to the collection of waste, but also meetings.
600 liters of waste
Speed wasn’t the goal of the challenge, by the way. In addition, he collected waste (600 liters over the entire route) stored in the panniers of the cyclists who took turns at his side. In addition, at each stage, Benjamin raised awareness of the climate and sport among the inhabitants: children from the Sainte-Geneviève school in La Madeleine, from leisure centers, hosts who hosted him and invited friends, but also scouts on the beach in Ambleteuse, etc. Not to mention those who followed him on the networks. I made a lot of nice encounters,” confided the Basséen, a young man who wanted to do his second marathon with me. Owners of a cottage in Hesdin who hosted me for free, but also the director of the hospital in Marck-en-Calaisis who housed me in the medical internship because I had no accommodation that day!”
After this crazy interlude, Benjamin Cattiau was getting ready to go back to work on Monday, at the SNCF railway police!
