A little running outing during the lunch break while being fresh and ready for the important meeting at 2 p.m.? Not always easy when you have sweated a lot and a very tight schedule. It was without counting on Runway Shower: a few months ago, this young company from Le Mans installed its first shower station in the Domaine de l’Epau, a large wooded area to the east of the city. “It’s a paradise for joggers here,” smiles Antony Ganot, 36, founder of Runway Shower and running enthusiast. But during the week, many go without because of the lack of showers in the office… Even when there are, they are not necessarily welcoming, or poorly maintained. It can also be inconvenient for some employees to take the elevator in sports clothes to be able to access it. »
Inside this tiny house (made in Sarthe) 6m long with terrace, a cloakroom, lockers and two cabins for washing have been fitted out. Joggers can access it independently thanks to a connected bracelet, for a subscription of 12.90 euros per month. “It’s not a camping shower,” assures Antony Ganot. We wanted to make a pleasant place with a soundtrack and olfactory to feel good. All-inclusive, the course lasts about 7 minutes, with the shower accounting for about half the time. And to prevent the small toilet from dragging on, the company has installed connected knobs that gradually change color from green to red, when water consumption approaches 40 litres.
Other locations planned
After convincing local ambassadors such as athletes Nathalie Mauclair or Mohamed Serbouti, Runway Shower is beginning to attract the general public, with “up to 10 passages on average per day”, at noon but not only, recorded recently. In addition to executives or teachers, several Le Mans companies have already joined to offer the service to their employees. An encouraging start as two other stations could soon be set up in Le Mans, at the foot of a business center and near the university. If the first cabin is currently connected to the water network, the following should evolve towards a more eco-responsible model, promises its creator, who is preparing a first fundraiser with his two partners. According to him, other big cities have already shown interest.