Half-marathon: a Laval firefighter smashes the world record in full combat gear

A Laval firefighter smashed the world record for the half-marathon in full combat gear this weekend, with more than twenty kilos of equipment on his back, in an effort to raise funds for the great burned.

“I wanted to do it to raise as much money as possible for the Foundation,” proudly confided Alexis Dufour, 30, the day after his feat.

Last Sunday, the young firefighter took part, like more than 6,600 runners, in the Laval firefighters’ race, which has been organized for ten years already.

He chose to take part in the 21.1 km half marathon. Now, he did it with his full fireman’s gear; helmet, mask, boots, oxygen tank, pants, coat, gloves, balaclava. Everything was there.


Firefighter Alexis Dufour during his half-marathon, in the company of colleagues who encourage him, Sunday, June 4, in Laval.

Dominick Gravel, photographer

Firefighter Alexis Dufour during his half-marathon, in the company of colleagues who encourage him, Sunday, June 4, in Laval.

“It was the first time it was done at the Laval course,” explains the native of Saint-Eustache, who had trained a few times, but never over a distance of more than 11 km.

“It’s still 50 lbs. Being able to hold all that for three hours, not just anyone can do that,” puts into perspective the one who is in spectacular shape and who has benefited from close monitoring.

Without walking

As an example, his boots weighed 8 lbs, when finished, with all the sweat and water that had accumulated in them.

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“The last kilometers, I felt it was getting heavy. I felt like I had concrete blocks in my feet, illustrates Alexis Dufour. It was a good challenge to continue. All I told myself was to never stop running. I’ve never walked.”

Despite the cramps, the dehydration and the difficulties encountered, the firefighter did not only succeed in his feat of crossing the finish line. He also destroyed the previous world record of 3:21, held by New Zealander Simon Trye, by finishing his race in 2:54.


Alexis Dufour, 30 years old

Courtesy Alexis Dufour

Alexis Dufour, 30 years old

Despite his feat, Alexis Dufour will never see his achievement counted in the sacred book of Guinness records.

“I was not accepted, because I had to pay US$6000 for validation. Me, I preferred to give the money to the Foundation,” says the man who has helped raise $12,000 so far.

“I have the right to say that I broke the world record, but I don’t hold the Guinness record,” laughs Alexis Dufour, who doesn’t worry too much about this futile detail.

The support of his aunt

In addition, the CrossFit athlete also had a source of personal motivation to push him to achieve this first.

In 1946, a fire in Saint-Jovite, in the Laurentians, caused heavy losses in his family.

“My grandparents lost a 6-year-old daughter and my aunt suffered a lot of burns,” he said. So, for my part, it was also to help the next families to whom it could happen that I was doing it.


Alexis Dufour and his aunt, who suffered from severe burns, after the demanding race.

Courtesy Alexis Dufour

Alexis Dufour and his aunt, who suffered from severe burns, after the demanding race.

His aunt was waiting for him at the end of his journey. A moment he called “emotional” for everyone.

“As a firefighter, we are always confronted with that”, concludes the one who obtained a few days leave from his bosses, to recover from his aches.

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