The Menton Sun Race is getting a makeover: the race will beat its registration number this weekend

It's already heralding a remarkable record on display in the city of lemons. The Menton Sun Race, organized by the Menton-Marathon association, is breaking new ground for its ^39th edition. The big news: the introduction of two trail events, the Roc d'Ormea, on Saturday morning. Two demanding formats: 14km (780m elevation gain) and 34km (2000m elevation gain), to flirt with the Italian border and the summit of Roc d'Orméa. Five days in, they already have more than 400 registered.

Another development: children now have their own dedicated time with the Run Young Athletes on Saturday at 6 p.m. Four distances (1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000m) and a great promise of exceeding 300 young participants.

But the beating heart of the Sun Race is Sunday, with the Ronde des Plages. Opening the race, another new feature, is a 5km timed walk at 8 a.m. along the seafront. There are already 62 registered. Then come the flagship races: the 10km at 9 a.m., a FFA-certified race that qualifies for the French Championships, and the 5km at 10:15 a.m., but not a qualifier. The 10km could break its participation record (1,250), with 1,414 registered as of Monday. The symbolic threshold of 1,500 participants will surely be crossed.

"We exceeded our expectations, so we opened a formula without the T-shirt or medal of the edition, but with all the services," explains Jean-Michel Fauritte, president of Menton-Marathon. So, for latecomers, registration will be possible up to 30 minutes before each start.

Unique services, bike storage, childcare, club marquees, and a festive atmosphere. The Sun Race is growing, expanding, and rising. It lives up to its name.