This is not his first sporting achievement. At 86, André Perreau, a resident of Laroque-des-Albères in the Pyrénées-Orientales, has just been crowned French half-marathon champion, category M10, i.e. 84-89 year olds. A performance (21.1km in 1h57’01) that he owes to his diligence in training and the support of his family.
12 Canigou races
“I ran a lot in the Pyrénées-Orientales, explains this former postman, who started running at the age of 60. Compared to people my age, I knew that I could present myself for a French championship without demerit, and that’s what I did on several occasions. It must be said that the track record of André Perreau, a member of Athlé 66, is impressive: twice winner of the Paris marathon, French long-trail champion, the great crossing of the Albères in 26 hours, the Canigou he has ran 12 times… not forgetting his five titles in the French half-marathon championship.
The secrets of its performance? “Regularity in training”. André Perreau runs 10 kilometers every two days, especially in the Albères. Without forgetting the diet: rice cakes, after meals a few days before a race.
The runners, “a big family”
But it is above all the surpassing of himself and the company of his fellow runners that push him to surpass himself. “There are not many of us, however there are illustrious predecessors whom I admire who are Robert Franquesa and Pierre Sablé, aged 88 and 87, so I am inspired by these friends to try to do as well with them .”
A motivation that he also finds with Pierrette, 80 years old. His wife, his “alter ego” as he calls it, had to stop running after heart problems. “I’m proud to see him run without a hitch, without a hitch, always happy and satisfied, she testifies.
“Through him I still feel like I’m racing, and I must say that I exist with him and with all the runners in the department. It’s really a big family.” — Pierrette Perreau, 80 years old
Today Andrew wonders if he will continue the competition. “We like to compare ourselves to others, run with those of our own age, and for some time now I have been alone at that age… and it sobers me up in a way, so will I continue? We are thinking about my wife and I, and I have so many other things to do.” If he decides to retire as a competitor, André Perreau assures him: he will continue to run for leisure in his Albères.