The Chartreuse Backyard 2024, a trail race which consists of covering a 6.7 km loop every hour until only one participant remains, ended after 44 hours of competition this Sunday 3 November in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont (Isère).
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Sébastien Despas won the 6th edition of the Chartreuse Backyard, organized since Friday, November 1 in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, in Isère, after 44 hours of racing and 295 kilometers covered:
“It’s a very honorable result, even if it’s less than in previous years”tells us Benoit Laval, the organizer of the race. Last year, during the 5th edition, the winner completed the race in 52 hours, or 348 kilometers covered.
The concept of this trail race, imported from the United States, is simple: the 289 participants at the start must complete a 6.7 km loop every hour. They repeat this effort until only one competitor remains.
The winner from Normandy participated with his family. Her wife accompanied her during the first 9 laps: “Nine laps doesn't seem like much, but it's huge, it represents almost 60 kilometers,” Benoit Laval tells us. His children were in attendance.
Sébastien Despas was on his third participation, in previous years he had completed 38 and 31 laps which represents 247 kilometers and 201 kilometers.
On the women's side, Alexandra Rousset won the race by completing 41 laps or 266.5 kilometers: “Alexandra Rousset beat her own record by completing 41 laps on time with an incredible final sprint”said the organizers. His personal best was 38 laps, or 255 kilometers.
In total, this year, 289 runners started this legendary race on Friday November 1st.
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