© Christian Legris
24 hours to fight cancer: the crazy challenge taken on by Théo Gabeau and his charity, Foulées d’Espoir
Amiens native Théo Gabeau, a graduate with a degree in Sports Science (STAPS), achieved a remarkable feat this past weekend at La Hotoie Park in Amiens. To contribute to the fight against cancer, he set himself the challenge of running for 24 hours straight. Challenge met: the student pushed through to the very end, covering 146 km to the cheers and applause of his loved ones and the onlookers who came to support him.
“I have some pretty crazy loved ones. And I think they allow me to go beyond what I’m physically capable of doing,” smiled the 21-year-old, who has taken on several sporting challenges over the past three years: a first ultra of 55 km, an Ironman, the 100 km of the Somme, and now this 24-hour run, in direct partnership with the city of Amiens and the Relay for Life, a festive sporting event against cancer held across France.
His achievements wouldn’t have the same meaning without the invaluable support of those who stand by him in those moments. “On August 31, something truly exceptional happened: all my loved ones were there. My parents, my friends… From 8 a.m., when it was cold and the day looked tough, about fifteen friends were waiting for me as I came out of the water. I thought they’d only come back at the finish after 180 km of cycling… But no: they followed me throughout the course, stopping every 10 km to cheer, high-five me, then go further ahead. They did that the whole race.” And above all, none of it would matter without the purpose behind each challenge.
Every event is tied to a fundraising effort for a cause. An Ironman in support of L’Envol, an organization helping sick children; 100 km to raise awareness about breast cancer; and now 24 hours of running for the French Cancer League, through Foulées d’Espoir, the association founded by Théo in March 2025.
| The Birth of the Association, Foulées d’Espoir
By running in his own name for causes bigger than himself, Théo wanted to turn his personal commitment into a collective adventure. A few months before the creation of Foulées d’Espoir, its current vice-president, Théo Monteiro, suggested that he “attach himself to something people could remember: a color, a symbol, a logo.” From that moment, the project gained momentum among Théo’s friends. The board now brings together diverse profiles, all “super motivated to use sport to do good around us”: a bank employee, an orthoprothetist, a physiotherapist, and two sports science students.
To stand out from the start, they came up with the idea of doing a run-and-bike from Amiens to Haudivillers, Théo’s parents’ home, to collect the association’s official paperwork. “We wanted to show our own style: a little crazy, but in a serious field. It was important for people to see that we can be simple and have fun, even when doing things close to our hearts,” Théo explained. Their first event took place on May 28, echoing the national day of awareness for multiple sclerosis. Thanks to a Strava club where they explained the idea of covering as many kilometers as possible in 24 hours, they brought together many people, abled and disabled alike, to run or walk, totaling 2,295 kilometers.
Following that first project, “the little Foulées d’Espoir family really started to take root.” Some were eager for the next challenge, while the core team was already on alert preparing for the upcoming 24-hour run. When it was announced, the response was immediate: “The first reaction people had was to ask: ‘Can we come? Can we run with you?’” Théo seems to have found his way of committing through sport, a true vehicle of social connection: “What’s great about sport is that it brings people together around one single thing: the project.” This commitment also responds to a deep personal need, no doubt shaped by his own story: his mother, a former marathoner, was diagnosed with breast cancer before he even turned ten.
| A series of challenges leading up to the 24-hour run
From running 55 km alone to completing a 24-hour non-stop race, the gap is immense, both physically and mentally. Thinking back to the 100 km of the Somme held last November, Théo recalls: “I clearly think I went after the hardest thing in my life. I wasn’t prepared, I was still very tired from the Ironman, since there was only a month and twelve days in between.” Still, he finished the distance in 11h54, feeling “over the moon.” Yet that was only one step in a succession of increasingly daring challenges.
Looking back after his 24-hour run, he shared what held him back: “My psoas was so stiff that even with massage, it was impossible to loosen. I also had some issues with my ankle bone. I gritted my teeth and just prayed it would hold.” He also acknowledged that his preparation, limited to fifteen weeks with Heubi, world champion in the 100 km turned online coach, was a factor. The demanding pace, hard to sustain during the summer, was something he imposed on himself but didn’t necessarily benefit from. “Unfortunately, I can only start training plans at the end of May. Usually, I was averaging 40 km a week, when I should have been at 80. It was the first time I followed a real training program, and honestly, it was tough. I have immense respect for those who train at that level year-round.” On top of that, the final week was packed with commitments to promote the event. “Sleep-wise, I was nowhere. I was totally burnt out. I was running around promoting the challenge, which I love. I don’t complain, because it wears me out, but it also energizes me so much, it’s exceptional,” said the president of Foulées d’Espoir.
With his legs heavy from effort and the strain behind him, he can finally take pride in what he accomplished. Even before the long-awaited weekend, the online fundraiser and T-shirt sales had already collected several hundred euros. “When I went over the numbers again this morning, with a clear head, I couldn’t have dreamed of better,” Théo said on Monday afternoon. More than €1,000 has already been raised, a figure that continues to grow since his triumphant finish on Sunday evening.
Théo Gabeau: let’s remember this name, along with that of his association, Foulées d’Espoir. This committed athlete has no intention of stopping in Amiens Métropole, nor even within the Somme. His vision already reaches further, supported by his loved ones and friends, without whom his journey would not carry the same intensity. With every challenge, he rediscovers that unique blend of pushing beyond his limits and the emotions that come with dedicating a sporting effort to a cause close to his heart.
Sabine LOEB
Journalist
