NEWS: Julien finished 113th in his first participation at the Diagonale des Fous in 33:41:30. An incredible feat, in one of the toughtes races inthe world. Congratulations Julien!!

Please click here for pix and the story (in French), and here for Julien's website.

October 23-24-25 2009: the dates when the 17th Grand Raid - or "Diagonale des Fous" (the "diagonale of the crazy athletes") takes place in beautiful Reunion Island. Just East of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.

Just imagine running eight marathons in a row! Completely crazy! And yet it is the feat the “diagonale des fous” finishers accomplish. When they are presented with the medal and the yellow tee-shirt emblazoned “I survived”, they have climbed 9000m - yes that's more vertical ascent than climbing the Everest - a height equivalent to 25 Eiffel Towers.

The Grand Raid is a fantastic physical challenge and those who dare it are sportsmen extraordinary indeed! From start to finish competitors climb 5 peaks culminating at about 2000m ( the highest point being 2411m high!). they skirt the volcano, touch the sky on crest paths overlooking deep ravines, the cirque of Cilaos, they walk through Mafate and waddle ankle deep in mud in Kerveguen forest.

The Grand Raid has become a myth : out of the initial 2500 or so, about 70% make it to the finish. The winner completes the race in about 22 hours while the last finisher is allowed 64.

Picture above: one of the peaks of Ile de Réunion

And this year, for the first time, young and daring ultramarathon-runner Julien Gantenbein (click here for profile) will take on this daring challenge. One of the fastest Swiss marathon runners (PR in 2:34), he has recently transitioned towards longer distances, completing the Bienne 100km in 2008, amongst others, with a top 10 ranking.

And what's more, Julien has graciously offered to run for children in need, under the colors of Help-for-Hope. A wonderful gesture Julien, thank you! May this thought carry you through the peaks and valleys of the Diagonale des Fous ;-) Go Julien!!

Picture to the right: Julien at the NYC marathon 2005, on his way to a top 100 ranking overall (out of some 40'000 runners).

Below some impressions from the Diagonale des Fous - previous years: