Every year, the Course of the Heart turns the roads of France into a ribbon of solidarity. For its 39th edition, taking place from March 25 to 29, 2026, nearly 100 runners will take turns non-stop over four days and four nights, covering the distance from Paris to Bourg-Saint-Maurice in Savoie — roughly 800 kilometers. The race kicks off at the Chalet des Îles in the Bois de Boulogne (Paris, 16th arrondissement), and the caravan will pass through the Essonne department during the night of March 25 to 26.
Founded in 1988 by the Friends of Sport and Donation (ASTDON) association, this race carries a message that remains more relevant than ever. According to the 2024 report from the Biomedicine Agency, there were 6,034 organ transplants last year — a figure not seen since 2017. While this is a significant improvement, the underlying reality is sobering: 852 patients still lost their lives waiting for a transplant because they never gained access. This paradox largely stems from the fact that in 36.4% of cases, family members report opposition from the donor, with this rate rising to 53.5% in Île-de-France. The challenge is clear but critical: encourage people to discuss organ donation openly with loved ones while they are alive. As Marine Jeantet, the CEO of the Biomedicine Agency, explains: "To do this, we need to strengthen communication about your wishes. It’s simple — just talk about it to take action!"
The race brings together between 14 and 18 teams, each consisting of 14 runners, including a special team made up of transplant recipients (heart, liver, kidney, bone marrow). It spans more than 200 towns along the route. For the 2026 edition, seven teams are vying for victory across the entire course: Groupe Dassault, SAP du Cœur, Duo de Cœur, Les Amis du Cœur-HPE/HP, SFC-Les Cœurs Battants, Ultra Sports Science, and Le Relais de la Vie. Additionally, three more teams will take part in the Paris prologue: Les Lycéens de l'Iroise, PKD France, and La Garde Républicaine.
Among the notable figures this year is Fabien Doguet, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon at the private Jacques Cartier Hospital in Massy, Essonne. He is participating in the race representing Ultra Sports Science, a foundation dedicated to research on sports and health, alongside a biologist, a podiatrist, a science teacher, and other professionals from a wide range of backgrounds—some quite unexpected. His team is sponsored by Denis Brogniart. "We’re not running for a record time but for a cause. It’s a truly meaningful human experience," he shares. Each runner covers between 70 and 100 km in relay, day and night, supported by 120 volunteers and police motorcyclists helping to ensure safety throughout the event.
In Essonne, the towns of Villiers-le-Bâcle, Gif-sur-Yvette, Bures-sur-Yvette, Gometz-le-Châtel, and Buno-Bonnevaux will be among the evening stages from March 25 to 26.
An awareness campaign specifically focused on organ donation is being carried out among children as part of the "10,000 Hearts for the Hospital" initiative. Around twenty schools are participating along the route: students create drawings or poems centered on the theme of the heart, which the runners collect and later donate to pediatric wards in hospitals. The previous edition successfully gathered over 37,000 drawings. It’s a heartfelt way to forge a meaningful connection between the worlds of sports, hospitals, and the community at large.
Beyond just physical performance, the Heart Run demonstrates how sports can serve a therapeutic role in the recovery process after a transplant. The ASTDON association is actively advocating for transplant and dialysis patients to return to physical activity, while also supporting specialized medical-sport research. One of their key initiatives is preparing members for the National Games for Transplant and Dialysis Patients, a competition that once again highlights the powerful connection between elite sport and extraordinary life stories.
Our take: a rare event that is not only sporting but also civic and deeply human. We are moved by the diversity of participants—patients, donors, and caregivers—standing side by side along the route. You can follow the race live or support the cause online through the official Course du Cœur page. Who is this event for? Anyone interested in learning more about organ donation, cheering on loved ones participating, or simply reminding those around them that having a conversation about donation can save lives.
In the same vein, explore also:
The ultimate guide to charitable running events in Paris and Île-de-France for 2026
Are you passionate about running and love to hit the pavement, feeling the wind in your hair whenever you can? Or perhaps you’re motivated to push yourself to the limit to support a cause close to your heart? Click here to explore our curated list of charity races in Paris and the Île-de-France region for 2026. [Read more]
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Dates and Opening Time
From March 25, 2026 to March 29, 2026
Official website
lacourseducoeur.com
