2.316 participants mobilized for ELA Belgium: solidarity in motion at the LIEGE science park!
On Friday June 6, the LIEGE science park vibrated to the rhythm of solidarity for the 19th edition of the Jogging Entreprises-Université, organized by ULiège-RISE in aid of the ELA Belgium association. An exceptional mobilization, bringing together 1,220 joggers and 1,096 walkers, all driven by the same objective: to advance research into leukodystrophies and support the families concerned.
Thanks to this collective dynamic, more than 47.800 in donationss were raised for ELA.
A not-to-be-missed event
For 19 years, this event has brought together the community of the Liège Science Park. Researchers, companies and universities join forces in support of ELA. A real highlight of the LIEGE science park, the jog is much more than a sporting challenge. It's a time for sharing, getting to know one another, and gettinginvolved in a spirit of solidarity, transforming the park's streets into a veritable trail through innovation.
This year, 18 companies, units and research centers opened their doors to participants - including AMOS, Cilyx, Drever International, EURESYS, Greisch, EVS, EyeD Pharma, CRM Group, iol Strategic Design, Eurogentec, LASEA, Technifutur, Technord, Centre Spatial de Liège, Unisensor, IGNITY and the University of Liège.
Since its inception, the jog has raised €396,082, enabling ELA to fund research projects, help families and purchase adapted equipment to improve patients' daily lives.
Concrete advances for research
Donations also enable ELA Belgium to fund gene therapy protocols, notably for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), which accounts for 15-20% of leukodystrophy cases.
A treatment is now possible, developed by an Italian team with long-standing support from the association. But it can only be effective if administered before symptoms appear. That's why the BabyDetect program at the University Hospital of Liège is such a major step forward: it enables the disease to be detected before birth, so that action can be taken in time. ELA's next battle is to systematize neonatal screening such as the Guthrie test (taking a drop of blood from the heel of a newborn baby).
An event driven by tremendous collective energy
Organized by ULiège-RISE, with the involvement of numerous volunteers, researchers, partners and companies from the park, such as Level IT, bureau Greisch, Cilyx and iol Strategic Design and Lasea, the LIEGE science park Jogging is a wonderful collective burst of commitment and humanity.
Once again this year, a person suffering from leukodystrophy symbolically took part in the race, carried in a joëlette by the team from the Centre Spatial de Liège. A meaningful presence, reminding all participants of the real driving force behind their commitment: patients.
"This 19th edition once again confirms the strength of the collective. We owe this success to everyone involved: companies, researchers, volunteers and participants. Together, around shared values, we are making this solidarity action a magnificent moment of conviviality between companies and laboratories, of discovery and encounters in this original route through the science park", emphasizes Fabienne Hocquet, coordinator of the event and head of the Animation & Relations with companies and society unit at ULiège-Rise.
See you on June 5, 2026 for the 20th edition.
Find out more about the ELA Belgium association
Find out more about the LIEGE science park corporate committee
If you wish, you can make a donation to the Association's account: ELA n° BE66 1144 7275 0143 with the mention "Jogging LIEGE science park 2025". All payments over €40 are tax-deductible.
