The 11th annual Relais Pour la Vie started place this Saturday at d'Coque in Luxembourg-Kirchberg with the formal start at 18:30.
Luxembourg's Minister for Health, Lydia Mutsch, and others were there to encourage the participants of the 24-hour relay, whose participants, as well as those running for the 12-hour relay, are raising money for cancer research.
Cancer survivors decked out in purple t-shirts, many with family beside them, were applauded during their ceremonial lap of honour prior to the participating teams taking to the track. This is the second year that caregivers have been invited to join in the procession.
Each team needs to ensure that one walker / jogger remains on the track at all times, with clubs, associations, schools and companies all participating in this annual event which, as ever, exudes camaderie and lots of colour. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel also took to the track, as did a number of other politicians.
Apart from the action in the arena there were many shows of support happening in and around the entrance foyer as well: decorating the paper bags that will later be placed in the arena, and participants or supporters pressing handprints onto large pieces of canvas to be hung later on as testimony to their efforts.
Added security was present this year and all arrivals to the kick-off of this event had to undergo a search before entering.
Photos by Emma Terling
