Give me FIV, France’s first race dedicated to IVF
© Give me FIVUn pas ensemble pour la vie is launching Give me FIV, a groundbreaking race dedicated to IVF, on November 15 at Parc de Parilly in Bron, near Lyon. Combining sport with a powerful message, the event is expected to draw up to 2,500 participants.
November 15 is a date worth marking in your calendar. A race like Give me FIV, a reference to in vitro fertilization, is sure to make an impression, especially among runners and people who have experienced assisted reproductive treatment and want to shed light on that journey and change the way it is perceived. But you do not need to fall into either category to take part: the 5K and 10K events are open to everyone, with timed races for runners and walking formats for those taking part at a more relaxed pace. Both solo and two-person formats have been designed to reflect the reality of fertility treatment today, which is often experienced alone or as a couple, and to involve both partners. The race is also aimed at the friends and family of those concerned, more numerous than many people realize since infertility affects one couple in four, as well as healthcare professionals who work on the issue every day and companies looking to associate their image with an innovative initiative that stands for something.
A race born from a clear need
“ I realized there were a lot of taboos surrounding the subject, says Fanny Palard, the event’s general coordinator, who comes from a sports marketing background. Most communications about it focused heavily on personal testimonies and how difficult these journeys can be. I felt there was a need for something more positive and unifying, to break the silence and make the subject more accessible, or at least bring it into the public conversation.” Some 2,500 participants are expected for the inaugural edition. It may seem an ambitious target, but it is based on careful analysis: “It’s genuinely a goal we set after looking rationally at the statistics for the Rhône-Alpes region, the number of people who could be affected and current running trends.”
More than a race: a space to speak openly
Beyond the sporting aspect, this race is first and foremost a chance to bring people together around a subject that is still treated with discretion, despite affecting so many. The journeys of couples and single people undergoing fertility treatment are often full of obstacles, combining long waits, courage and flashes of hope.
Around the start and finish area, a partner village will bring together companies, collectives and associations. Collectif BAMP!, which works to improve conditions for people undergoing fertility treatment, including through dialogue with public authorities, will have a presence there. Fertility information points will also be run by specialists. The organizers are also in talks with a writer currently working on the subject, with the aim of creating a space for personal accounts and interviews, as well as with brands focused on sport, well-being and women’s health.
The start at Parc de Parilly will be the hub of this community-focused event. Twenty percent of entry fees will be donated to the Fondation des Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) to support short-term projects in the reproductive medicine department at Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant. “And above all, it helps make the subject feel a little more ordinary, adds the race spokesperson. On race day, we can all be there, going through the same struggle, walking side by side. What comes through again and again in these journeys is a deep sense of loneliness. Even when we talk about it, we can still feel alone and isolated. The idea was that, as a collective and supportive event, we could ease that feeling of isolation for the duration of a race and all move forward in the same direction.”
What comes next?
Lyon is hosting the inaugural edition, but the organizers are not ruling out other cities in the years ahead. Annecy and Bordeaux have already been mentioned. Future editions could use traditional formats, as well as connected versions allowing participants to run online, together from wherever they are.
As for promotion, the team remains fairly relaxed. The launch took place without a major campaign, mainly through social media. One initiative is already inviting registered participants to send in their photos, showing that the event is above all about people and that everyone has a place in it.
The ultimate aim of the race is therefore to take fertility treatment beyond the confines of the medical world and bring it into a more accessible setting. “We wanted to talk about deep, serious things, but with a light touch,” says Fanny Palard. And waiting at the finish is one giant high five for all participants. As if to say: whatever the victory, big or small, no one has to go through this journey alone. Give me FIV certainly lives up to its name.