A Quebec runner has challenged himself to complete one of the most dangerous mountain races on the planet in two days.
“The goal is to finish alive and standing,” jokes Quentin Six, a 43-year-old Franco-Quebecer, who will be at the start of the legendary Grand Raid on Reunion Island on October 20.
Also called the “Diagonale des Fous”, this mountain race is aptly named: 165 km to be covered in less than four days, most often without sleeping, with four peaks over 2000 m in altitude to climb, and 10 000 m of elevation gain in total. By way of comparison, this would amount to going up and down Mount Albert 11 times in Gaspésie.
“It’s clearly one of the two toughest ultra-trails in the world,” says Jean Fortier, general manager of the Quebec Mega Trail (QMT) race. The temperature, the rocky terrain and the big drop make the conditions very difficult.
Recently become a father, Quentin Six explains that he will not take unnecessary risks during the event.
“If I have to take breaks, I will take them, assures the runner. My primary goal is just to cross the finish line, but I would like to avoid going over 48 hours of racing. That would mean going a third consecutive night without sleep and running around, and would be very bad for the body.”
Physical requirement
Jean-François Cauchon, who finished seventh in the Diagonale des Fous in 2019 in less than 26 hours – a record for a Quebecer – says the race is particularly difficult.
“The temperature changes are drastic, I had a heat stroke during the event, says the ultra-trailer yet experienced. We leave from the south of the island at 10 p.m. to reach the summit of the volcano during the night, where the temperature is around 0 degrees. We then go down to the Cirque de Mafate, where it is almost 30 degrees. It is exhausting.”
To acclimatize well, Quentin Six will arrive on Reunion Island two weeks before the start of the race. In addition to running nearly 100 km each week, this Montreal osteopath has prepared by participating in ultra-trails organized throughout Quebec.
“I started with the Bromont ultra-trail at 65 km, and the last one I ran was the QMT at 110 km, he explains. I try each time to increase the distance in order to be ready to face the 165 km of the Grand Raid.
Dropouts and hallucinations
In addition to a large number of withdrawals and frequent injuries, runners are sometimes seized with hallucinations related to fatigue on very long distance races.
“They are commonplace on the Diagonale des Fous and can be dangerous with the ravines that mark out our course, underlines Pierre Maunier, president of the Grand Raid Association. It’s a demanding race that pushes you to really surpass yourself. You should not risk taking part without having a minimum of physical and mental preparation.
Ultra-trail – running in the great outdoors over a distance of more than 42 km – is enjoying growing success in Quebec.
“This year, we gave out more than 1,200 bibs, says Jean-François Tapp, director of the Gaspesia 100, a trail race between sea and mountains in Gaspésie. In 2016, we barely had 65 runners.
Same story with Jean Fortier, general manager of the Quebec Mega Trail race.
Courtesy picture
Jean Fortier, General Manager of Quebec Mega Trail.
“We had more than 2,600 participants in 2022, it’s a real record, he rejoices. We see about 20% more registrations each year.
Transcendence
For the organizers, the growing popularity of this sport comes from the feeling of surpassing oneself that it provides.
“The feeling of personal accomplishment is very important when you run long distances, analyzes Mr. Fortier. Rather than the performance of time, the riders want to finish the event and go to the end of things.
While he had never run an ultra-trail three years ago, Quentin Six quickly became a fan of discipline.
“It’s an almost spiritual experience for me,” he explains. You are surrounded by nature, and you have to find the mental and physical resources to overcome the effort. In these moments, you reconnect to the essentials and you think of your loved ones.
Community
According to Jean-François Tapp, the community aspect of the ultra-trail would also contribute to its success.
“Road running has had a great dynamic in recent years, but it is more focused on the individual, he analyzes. People are turning more and more to trail running, because the races often last two to four days and the runners have time to chat on the starting line, at the bend of a path, or after the event. It creates a real sense of belonging.”