Between sport and heritage, when celebrities praise the beauty of this village in Seine-et-Marne

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If the weather was not good, this was the only inconvenience noted for the third edition of the Barbizon Trail (Seine-et-Marne)which was held on Sunday October 6, 2024. “We knew that the risk of rain was significant, but in any case trail running is an outdoor sporting activity, those who practice it do it in all weathers,” smiles Sébastien Bouillotdeputy mayor, who is part of the hard core of the creation and organization of the trail.

400 participants in the Barbizon trail, including personalities

It must be said that while the number of participants is constant – 350 adults and 50 children and adolescents – the number of volunteers is increasing, with 35 people dedicated to the smooth running of the event. “They were placed in strategic locations and a broom runner, who managed abandonments and possible injuries,” he explains.

At the town hall park, the starting and finishing point of the race, it was the municipal services and the alumni club, which provided logistics and supplies, accompanied by sponsors, such as Century 21. The trail was made up of 3 separate events: one for children of 1 km, one for adolescents of 2 km, and the adult course of 12 km. The latter is starting to attract famous people, who don’t come just for the sport…

Among them, a certain Gilles Bouléau whose name and face are known to the whole of France since he presents the 8 p.m. news from TF1 for over 12 years. This young sixty-year-old is participating in the Barbizon trail for the second time, for a simple reason:

“It’s magnificent, I never tire of this journey,” he confides. Being in this forest is pure pleasure. Okay, this year, there is a props designer who let the rain pass, but that doesn’t matter, the main thing is this escape near Paris. In addition, I improved my performance, despite a small problem with my shoe. This is the sign that I have to come back next year! »

See you in 2025

The journalist, completing his lap a minute and a half ahead of the previous year, finished in 1h14’26” and moved up from 73^e at 48^e place: a great performance. Another well-known personality who took part in the trail, the highly publicized chef Juan Arbelaez. Very visible on screens and social networks, this chef from Colombia, aged 36, is also on his second participation, but even if he appreciates the setting of the course, his motivations are also other.

“My partner lives in Barbizon, so I come here regularly,” he explains. She told me about trail running, I love the sport and it seemed complicated not to participate. It’s a great race, in which I appreciate everything: the course, the atmosphere, the setting. Barbizon is a magical village where you feel good, I like to come and recharge my batteries there.” Testimonies which will perhaps be the best ambassadors for the 4^e edition, which will take place on the first Sunday in October 2025.

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