Monaco Run 2025: record numbers and world-class performances

10/02/2025

Monaco Run 2025 saw a record-breaking 3,800 participants take to the streets for its 15th edition, with elite performances, new initiatives, and a strong community spirit defining the weekend.

Over the weekend of 8th and 9th February, the Monaco Run Gramaglia returned for its 15th edition, attracting a record 3,800 participants across six races. Monaco Life attended on Sunday morning for the 5km event, one of the most anticipated races of the weekend, known for its fast course and history of world-class performances.

This year’s edition featured a strong competitive field, including Olympic triathlon champion Cassandre Beaugrand, who raced alongside her AS Monaco Athlétisme teammates. She was up against Ethiopian runner Likina Amebaw, the defending champion who set the women’s course record at 14’35 in 2024.

The 5km race has consistently delivered notable performances, having previously hosted four world records, including Joshua Cheptegei’s 12’51 in 2020 and Beatrice Chepkoech’s 14’43 in 2021. European and national records have also been set on this course, reinforcing its reputation as a key race on the international running calendar.

In this edition, the standout performance of the day came from Dutch athlete Diane Van Es, who broke the European 5km record with a time of 14’39, making her the fastest European woman ever over the distance. Cassandre Beaugrand also made history, finishing fourth in 14’53 to set a new French national record, cheered on by the crowd gathered along Quai Albert 1er.

The men’s race saw Belgian runner Isaac Kimeli narrowly miss the European record by three seconds, finishing in 13’18. He was closely followed by Frederik Ruppert (GER) and Djilali Bedrani (FRA), who clocked 13’21 and 13’22, respectively

Monaco Run 2025 in numbers

The event reached its highest participation numbers to date, reflecting its growing popularity among both amateur and elite athletes. Among the 3,800 registered runners, 37% were women, and 15% came from outside Monaco and France. A further 42% were French runners from regions beyond Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes.

The race weekend began on Saturday with the Trail du Mont Agel, the City Trail, and the 1000m event, before concluding on Sunday with the 10km race, the 5km event, and the Pink Ribbon Walk, which raised awareness for breast cancer.

The 10km race also saw a record turnout, with Cédric Siebert winning in 30’44, ahead of Hamid Boudhair (31’03) and Julien Geydon (31’47). Monégasque runner Nicolas D’Angelo finished just outside the podium in 31’48. On the women’s side, Augustine Emeraux took first place in 34’06, followed by Aurora Bado (34’27) and Justine Guerard (35’37).

A new initiative was introduced this year with the launch of dossards solidaires, allowing runners to donate part of their entry fee to one of four Monégasque charities: the Association Monégasque pour la Protection de la Nature, Pink Ribbon Monaco, Fondation Flavien, and Les Enfants de Frankie. The initiative aimed to provide financial support to causes focused on environmental conservation, cancer awareness, and children’s welfare.

With a record number of runners, managing the event required significant logistical coordination. A total of 180 volunteers and 40 members of the organising committee worked throughout the weekend to oversee race operations, particularly at the start and finish areas on Quai Albert 1er, where the Running Expo was also held. The expo featured 11 partners offering activities and merchandise for runners and spectators.

Saturday’s races took place under challenging conditions, with rain and cold temperatures throughout the day. By Sunday, the sun had returned, and the Monaco Run saw a huge turnout, with crowds lining the course to support the runners as they raced through the Principality.

Monaco Life was there! See more in our video below…

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Photo by Monaco Life.

Monaco’s real estate market soars to €5.9 billion amid surge in new property sales

by: Elsa Carpenter

10/02/2025

Monaco’s real estate market is at an all-time high, reaching an astonishing €5.9 billion in total sales in 2024, driven by a record-breaking wave of new property transactions.

Sales of newly built homes accounted for a staggering €3.7 billion—more than the combined total of all new property sales in the Principality between 2006 and 2021. This unprecedented share follows the completion of 159 new residences last year, primarily within the highly anticipated Mareterra eco-district in Larvotto. Not since 1993 has Monaco seen such a high number of private-sector dwellings delivered in a single year.

See more: The mighty Mareterra: Prince Albert II inaugurates “his vision” of sustainable urban development

In a market defined by exclusivity, demand for large, family-sized residences dominated sales in 2024. Nearly 95% of all new homes sold featured three or more bedrooms, including eight ultra-premium villas. Over half of these properties achieved sale prices of €20 million or more, with seven transactions surpassing the €100 million mark—highlighting the extraordinary level of wealth flowing into Monaco’s property sector.

Resale market slows, but values remain strong

While the resale market declined for a second consecutive year—reaching its lowest transaction volume since 2012—values held firm. The total number of resales dropped by almost 6% compared to 2023, but the overall market value slipped by just 0.6% to €2.2 billion.

Monte-Carlo remained the most sought-after neighbourhood, accounting for 132 of the 365 total resales. Meanwhile, La Rousse, despite being the second most popular district for resales, saw a significant decline in activity, with transactions falling by over 25%.

Interestingly, one-bedroom apartments were the only segment to see an uptick in resale transactions—contrary to trends in the new property market, where family-sized homes were the clear favourite among buyers.

Monaco’s property market defies global trends

While global real estate markets have faced uncertainty in recent years, Monaco’s high-end property sector continues to thrive, fuelled by strong international interest and an ever-growing demand for ultra-luxury living. With landmark developments like Mareterra reshaping the landscape, the Principality’s real estate market is proving once again why it remains one of the most exclusive in the world.

Read related:

Mareterra revealed: The story behind Monaco’s bold architecture

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok. 

Photo credit: Cassandra Tanti

Venturi Space appoints French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy as ambassador

by: Cassandra Tanti

10/02/2025

Venturi Space, the aerospace division of the Venturi Group, has welcomed renowned French astronaut Jean-François Clervoy as its new ambassador. This appointment comes as the company continues its expansion, now with a presence in France, alongside its bases in Monaco, Switzerland, and the United States.

Jean-François Clervoy, a veteran astronaut with 33 years of experience and 675 hours in orbit, is widely respected for his contributions to space exploration. Originally from Lorraine and now based in Toulouse, he has taken on the role of sharing his expertise with Venturi Space. His career includes three space missions with NASA, where he played pivotal roles in atmospheric studies, resupply missions to the Mir space station, and the servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope.

Jean-François Clervoy, photo credit: NASA, source: Venturi Space“Venturi has been close to my heart for 25 years, and choosing the right ambassador for Venturi Space was a crucial decision,” said Gildo Pastor, president of Venturi and Venturi Space, in a statement. “With Jean-François Clervoy, I am confident that our technologies and expertise will be showcased in the best possible way, reflecting our values, vision, and philosophy.”

Venturi Space is currently developing high-performance batteries and hyper-deformable wheels, two critical technologies that will soon be deployed on the Moon. These innovations will be integrated into the rovers of the American company Venturi Astrolab. The FLIP rover is set to launch by the end of this year, while the FLEX rover, expected to begin private missions in 2027, has been pre-selected by NASA for potential use around 2030.

In recalling his first meeting with Venturi’s president, Jean-François Clervoy said, “Gildo Pastor has long demonstrated the essential qualities for success in space exploration: passion, boldness, commitment, innovation, and leadership,” said Clervoy. “I am delighted to join the international Venturi Space team, whose excellence is transforming dreams into reality.”

Monaco Life is produced by real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Threads,  Facebook,  Instagram,  LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

See also:

Venturi hosts historic visit celebrating Monaco’s lunar endeavours

Main photo: Jean-François Clervoy, source: Venturi Space

Yacht Club de Monaco set to compete in Admiral’s Cup for first time

by: Stephanie Horsman

10/02/2025

The Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) is poised to make history as it prepares to compete for the first time in the Admiral’s Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions. Often referred to as the “Unofficial World Cup of Offshore Racing”, the Admiral’s Cup is making its grand return in Cowes this summer after an absence of more than two decades.

Organised by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), the event will take place between 17th July and 1st August in Cowes, the legendary seaport town on the UK’s Isle of Wight. Established in 1957, the competition attracts the world’s elite sailors for a rigorous series of inshore and offshore races, including the legendary Rolex Fastnet Race. The last edition was held in 2003.

The initiative to enter the Admiral’s Cup was led by Peter Harrison, a YCM member and owner of the Jolt boats set to compete. He had the enthusiastic backing of Pierre Casiraghi, Vice-President of the Club and the founder of Team Malizia.

“Peter is a great sailor with a great team. When he suggested that we take part in the Admiral’s Cup with the Jolt boats, I immediately accepted this incredible challenge,” says Casiraghi.

The Monegasque team will field two exceptional boats: the TP52 Jolt 3, with Harrison at the helm in the IRC Big Boat class, and the Carkeek 40 Jolt 6, skippered by Casiraghi.

“We have a solid training programme, high-performance boats and a determined team,” says Casiraghi. “Consistency will be key: two bad races, and everything becomes complicated. We’ll have to stay focused and approach each day as a new challenge.”

This ambitious endeavour aligns with the YCM’s outward-looking sporting strategy. Championed by Club President Prince Albert II, the YCM is seeking to broaden its horizons with the goal of promoting high-level sailing and inspiring younger generations.

For this significant challenge, the Monegasque crew will benefit from the expertise of renowned sailors such as Vendée Globe alumni Boris Herrmann and Will Harris, both from Team Malizia, as well as Cole Brauer, the first American woman to complete a solo, non-stop circumnavigation of the world in 130 days and the runner-up in the 2024 Golden Globe Solo Challenge.

Harrison, who is also the CEO of haute horology brand Richard Mille, is equally enthusiastic about the prospects of the YCM and its teams, saying, “The Yacht Club de Monaco is a major force in world sailing. Competing in the Admiral’s Cup offers a unique opportunity to showcase our expertise and passion.”

The Admiral’s Cup 2025 will feature more than 15 teams representing prestigious clubs such as the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda and the New York Yacht Club, a three-time winner. Australia, represented by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, returns as the defending champion, having won the last edition in 2003.

Read related:

Boris Herrmann finishes 12th in Vendée Globe after battling tough conditions

Photo source: Yacht Club de Monaco

Booking made easy: how Detec’Table is reshaping restaurant reservations in Monaco

by: Niki Borisova

10/02/2025

Detec’Table, a new app concept developed by Monaco resident Denis Thomas, is set to revolutionise how restaurant bookings are made in Monaco. With its curated selection of top dining spots and a seamless reservation process, its objective is to forge stronger – and lasting – connections between food lovers and local restaurants that are rated and reviewed according to strict criteria.

In an interview with Monaco Life, Thomas, who arrived in Monaco 20 years ago and spent eight years working at the Hôtel Métropole, explains his inspirations behind the Detec’Table concept and how he hopes it will improve the restaurant scene in the Principality for both patrons and venues.

It was during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Thomas was studying the hospitality market, that the idea for an app such as Detec’Table came to him.

“I asked myself: if I were a restaurant owner, what would I need? And as a customer, what would I want?” he explains.

Through his research, Thomas discovered that 90% of people check online before choosing a restaurant and prefer to book through a digital platform rather than by phone. He also observed that 80% of bookings are made by women, who often check ratings and menus before deciding where to dine.

“The goal is always to get people to book, and they want a clear and easy way to do so,” he says.

Instead of focusing solely on high-end gastronomy, Detec’Table prioritises restaurants based on key customer needs, such as child-friendliness, accessibility for people with disabilities, quality service, seasonal menus and good value for money.

“It’s not just about fine dining—it’s about what truly matters to customers,” he adds.

*The app currently lists 23 restaurants in the south of France and Monaco, including Castelroc, Chez Pierre, Il Pacchero, Amici Miei, Norma, La Môme, The Niwaki and Azzurra Kitchen. Photo supplied*

Building trust

Launching the platform wasn’t easy. Thomas spent time analysing customer preferences and speaking with friends to refine Detec’Table’s quality criteria, then faced the challenge of convincing restaurants to trust the platform.

“It took a while to get restaurants on board, but once they saw the concept, they understood the value,” says Thomas.

So far, eight Monaco restaurants have joined Detec’Table – such as Castelroc, Chez Pierre, Il Pacchero, Amici Miei, Norma, La Môme, The Niwaki and Azzurra Kitchen – and others are in the pipeline.

“I hope to have Quai des Artistes soon in the Detec’Table collection,” he reveals.

However, the goal is not to list every restaurant in Monaco.

“If we included all restaurants, we would become just another large platform like The Fork. Our aim is quality, not quantity,” he says.

Dining made simple

Detec’Table operates via a website and app, allowing users to browse restaurants, view menus and check availability. Each restaurant listing on Detec’Table includes six photos showcasing the venue and its dishes. The profile provides details on the cuisine type and pricing, along with a message from the chef that offers insight into the restaurant’s philosophy. Users can view speciality dishes and event menus, as well as check the accepted payment methods. A rating out of five is also displayed, helping diners make informed choices.

The platform also offers a membership programme for €4.99 per month, which includes benefits such as a complimentary welcome drink for the table and access to exclusive events, such as wine tastings and business dinners.

“Monaco is known for hosting major events, and our platform allows members to book restaurant spaces for corporate or private gatherings,” he says.

Beyond Monaco, Detec’Table has expanded to restaurants in Beaulieu, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Villeneuve-Loubet and more. In total, 23 restaurants are currently listed.

“We are close to 800 members now. The challenge is keeping them active, but we offer a lot in return for the membership fee,” he notes, adding that to keep members engaged, a bi-monthly newsletter provides updates on new restaurants in the area, upcoming events and special offers.

A local and personal approach

While expansion is on the horizon, Detec’Table’s focus remains on local and quality-driven partnerships.

“By being local, we can be more precise. We personally know the restaurants and their staff, and they know us,” he says. “This makes the partnership clear—we both understand what we can do for each other.”

Thomas’s focus is now on growth and development.

“Nice is a natural next step for us. There’s demand, and we want to bring the same quality-driven approach there,” he explains.

Detec’Table is not currently available on the App Store but can be downloaded directly from the website: www.detectable.fr.

Read related:

Why Marlow is Monaco’s new must-try dining destination

Main photo by Monaco Life

Basketball: AS Monaco extend winning streak to eight with dominant display in Strasbourg

by: Elsa Carpenter

10/02/2025

After a tough start to the weekend with a game against Partizan Belgrade, AS Monaco Basketball returned to winning ways in Betclic Elite by beating Strasbourg 95-81. The victory earned the Roca Team their eighth consecutive win in the domestic French league.

Just 48 hours after their hard-fought battle against Partizan Belgrade in the EuroLeague, Monaco faced Strasbourg at the Rhénus Sport arena on 9th February. The team was without Elie Okobo and Vitto Brown, but their absences didn’t hamper the spirit of the Roca Team—every Monaco player got on the scoreboard.

Coach Vassilis Spanoulis opted for a starting five of Mike James, Matthew Strazel, Terry Tarpey, Petr Cornelie and Mam Jaiteh. Strasbourg, eager to make a statement at home, opened the scoring with back-to-back three-pointers, but Strazel responded in kind. Monaco quickly tightened their defence, allowing Tarpey to score in transition with a dunk. The early exchanges were intense, but the visitors soon took control.

Jaiteh asserted his presence in the paint, while James drained a contested three-pointer to give Monaco a 15-12 lead. Strazel added a driving finish before Jordan Loyd found his rhythm with two consecutive long-range shots. By the end of a high-paced first quarter, the Roca Team had moved further ahead.

Monaco’s physical edge proves decisive

Early in the second quarter, Monaco continued to dominate physically. A well-timed assist from James allowed Donatas Motiejunas to extend the lead to double digits, followed by a powerful dunk from Jaron Blossomgame.

When Blossomgame picked up a technical foul, Monaco needed a response. Strazel provided it with a mid-range jumper, followed by another deep three from James. Monaco maintained control, but Strasbourg stayed within reach thanks to some sharp shooting. A late first-half push brought the hosts closer, but Alpha Diallo restored Monaco’s cushion.

James leads the charge after halftime

Returning from the break at 42-39, James immediately imposed himself—first with a tough baseline jumper, then with a signature three-pointer off an inbound play. Strasbourg attempted to increase the tempo, but Cornelie and James responded well, while Diallo cleverly drew an offensive foul. Blossomgame then broke free for a thunderous dunk to maintain Monaco’s momentum.

Midway through the third quarter, the game became more physical, with both sides intensifying their defence. Blossomgame was ejected after receiving an unsportsmanlike foul, but Monaco stayed composed. Loyd and Motiejunas capitalised on Strasbourg’s mistakes to keep the visitors ahead.

Strasbourg missed a series of crucial opportunities to close the gap, while the Roca Team remained clinical—Loyd struck from deep, Cornelie converted free throws and added a dunk, pushing the lead to eight points entering the final quarter.

Monaco finish in style

Determined to close the game out, Monaco found their shooting rhythm, with Juhann Begarin, Strazel and Tarpey all hitting from beyond the arc, while the defence stifled Strasbourg’s attacks. A lightning-fast transition, finished by Strazel, extended the lead to 20 points (86-66).

Despite a late Strasbourg surge, Monaco controlled the final minutes. A three-pointer from Georgios Papagiannis helped maintain their advantage, and when Strasbourg cut the deficit to 10, Jaiteh responded with an and-one to put the game beyond doubt.

With a solid collective performance, AS Monaco have reinforced their status at the top of Betclic Elite. They now turn their focus to the Leaders Cup this coming weekend.

Read related:

The Stade Louis II, Monaco’s landmark sports stadium, turns 40

Photo source: AS Monaco Basket

Day: 10 February 2025