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A sporting challenge in memory of Nicolas, who passed away from leukemia

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Emmanuel Gourbesville takes on an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness and support the fight against leukemia

Emmanuel Gourbesville takes on an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness and support the fight against leukemia

To pay tribute to his friend and physiotherapist Nicolas Caquineau, who passed away from leukemia at the age of 30, Emmanuel Gourbesville will take on the APEX in June 2028: the first extreme triathlon linking the summit of Mont Blanc to the Mediterranean Sea.

An adventure to keep Nicolas’s memory alive, raise awareness of leukemia, and raise funds for research.

His sporting career includes 30 XXL triathlons, 25 ultra-trail races and 15 marathons.

Here are some of his most notable achievements:

  • Tor des Glaciers: 450 km trail race with 35,000 m of elevation gain

  • French Ultra-Triathlon Championship for Internal Security Forces — 4th place

  • Paris Marathon — 2:44

  • Ironman World Championship, Nice

Key figures

3

consecutive disciplines

618

kilometres to cover

18000

metres of elevation gain

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Your donation will directly fund research at the Institut de la Leucémie Paris Saint-Louis
to develop more targeted and effective treatments
and improve patient care.

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Who was Nicolas Caquineau?

“A sportsman at heart, Nicolas loved pushing his limits and inspired those around him to do the same.
This extreme adventure carries on his fight against leukemia.”

Nicolas’s family

Stéphanie CHAMBAUD

The APEX 2028 route

Stage 1: Trail running and mountaineering – 110 km

Starting from the summit of Mont Blanc, at an altitude of 4,806 m, then descending to the shores of Lake Annecy.

Stage 2: Swimming – 18 km

Swimming the entire length of Lake Annecy.

Stage 3: Cycling – 500 km

From Lake Annecy to Mont Ventoux, then on to the Mediterranean Sea.

Stage 1: Trail running and mountaineering – 110 km

Starting from the summit of Mont Blanc, at an altitude of 4,806 m, then descending to the shores of Lake Annecy.

Stage 2: Swimming – 18 km

Swimming the entire length of Lake Annecy.

Stage 3: Cycling – 500 km

From Lake Annecy to Mont Ventoux, then on to the Mediterranean Sea.

Testimonial from Emmanuel Gourbesville, endurance athlete

“Leukemia affects around 10,000 people in France every year, at every stage of life. Yet it receives little public attention. A challenge like APEX draws attention: it will be followed by athletes, the media and mountain enthusiasts, reaching far beyond the circle of those who know the disease.
Six hundred kilometres of effort, sleepless nights and moments of doubt: APEX demands perseverance, whatever happens. This is also what patients and their loved ones experience every day as they face leukemia. This challenge is dedicated to them.”

“APEX is an exceptionally demanding challenge, combining trail running, swimming and cycling over more than 600 km. I had been hesitating about taking it on, while Nicolas, who was my physiotherapist, was encouraging me to do it. In July 2026, he was taken by an aggressive form of leukemia at just 30 years old. His passing deeply affected me and made me decide to take the plunge. You should never put your dreams off until later.”

All funds raised will be donated to the Leukemia Institute Paris Saint-Louis, a University Hospital Institute dedicated to leukemia research and innovation.
Established in 2023 as part of the France 2030 investment plan, it brings together teams from several leading hospitals and institutions within a unique European network. Its goal: to cure leukemia at every stage of life.”

“My name is Emmanuel Gourbesville. I am married and have three children. For more than twenty years, I have been practising endurance sports in the great outdoors, with over 150 races under my belt. I build up to each challenge step by step, prioritising gradual progression and risk management. I am preparing for APEX with the same level of rigour.”

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