“Aging is good, but aging in good health is essential,” urges Sophie Moreau
Lyon, May 2, 2026 – Sophie Moreau, president and founder of “Courir pour Elles,” was the guest on “6 minutes chrono / Lyon Capitale,” where she discussed the association’s mission to combat female cancers through prevention and the promotion of sports activities. “Aging is good. But aging in good health is essential,” she stated, highlighting the core philosophy behind her organization, which has been active since 2008.
A Movement for Prevention and Sport
“Courir pour Elles” was born from a simple ambition: “to fight against female cancers through prevention and the promotion of sports activities.” This mission remains strong, and the association is celebrating its 17th edition this year. Moreau clarified that despite its name, the event is not exclusively for seasoned runners. “The main idea is to reach sedentary people,” she explained. To accommodate all fitness levels, a 5-kilometer walk is offered, along with a “heart loop” of 2.5 kilometers, accessible to pregnant women, strollers, and individuals with various fragilities. “We are victims of our name,” Moreau conceded with a smile, acknowledging that “Courir pour Elles” might intimidate those who don’t see themselves crossing a finish line. However, the association insists that everyone is welcome to participate.
Key Figures and Impact
Since 2010, “Courir pour Elles” has dedicated 3.9 million euros to its missions, engaged 165,000 participants in its events, and assisted 11,500 women in care. The upcoming event will take place at the Grand Parc de Miribel Jonage on June 5, 6, and 7.
Preventing Rather Than Curing
This 17th edition marks the second consecutive year that men are officially invited to participate. This decision is both medical and symbolic: “some female cancers, such as breast cancer, can also affect men.” The underlying message is: “collectively, we are stronger. A battle is fought by many.”
The association focuses its efforts on three priority groups: young people, rural communities, and vulnerable populations. It collaborates closely with local government policies and works “hand in hand” with major healthcare institutions in the Lyon metropolitan area, including the Hospices Civils de Lyon, the Léon Bérard Center, and the Médipôle, to offer adapted physical activity from the moment a cancer diagnosis is made.
This medical aspect, along with public awareness, forms the dual core of the association’s mission. Two major annual events, the June days and “Octobre Rose” (Pink October), are designed to “remind and repeat: pay attention to your health, become actors in your health.”
Expanding Reach and Partnerships
Supported by the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region and the new executive of the Métropole de Lyon, “Courir pour Elles” now aims to “extend its prevention efforts beyond the Rhône-Alpes region.” This project is built on a shared conviction among its partners: alone we go faster, but together we go further.
Moreau highlighted the importance of political support: “We are, of course, supported by everyone, because the subject of taking care of one’s health concerns all families. Political leaders absolutely must be with us. We must establish daily reflexes among the general public.” She acknowledged that “taking care of one’s health is not a fascinating subject, because it requires effort, but it can bring a lot.”
Inclusivity and Solidarity
Regarding the inclusion of men, Moreau stated, “This is the second edition where we include men. We ask them to come and support us in fighting cancer. We always say: collectively, we are stronger. A battle is fought by many.” She added that men also requested to participate, as some female cancers can affect them as well. The key word is solidarity: “to be solidary, to be together and to fight collectively.”
Concrete Actions and Support
Beyond the events, the association actively engages in prevention, intervening in the field with young people, rural communities, and vulnerable populations, working with urban policy initiatives. A significant part of “Courir pour Elles'” mission is to support hospitals in providing adapted physical activity from the moment of a cancer diagnosis. They collaborate with the Léon Bérard Center, the Hospices Civils de Lyon, and the Médipôle, encouraging everyone, men and women, to adopt an active lifestyle.
Moreau addressed those who might hesitate to participate due to modesty or other reasons. “We are victims of our name: ‘Courir pour Elles’ can be intimidating. However, we offer a 5-kilometer walk. We have even set up a 2.5-kilometer ‘heart loop’ so that people with fragilities, pregnant women, or those with strollers can come.” She reiterated that the “Courir pour Elles” movement is for everyone, regardless of their fitness level. “Everyone can come. On June 5, 6, and 7, there are still places available. We are trying to transform our entire community into registered participants and hope that many of you, women and men, will come, united by heart.”
The call has been made. Sophie Moreau concluded by thanking the interviewer and encouraging everyone to visit www.lyoncapitale.fr for more information.
