The Peaks of Europe, the highest massif of the Cantabrian cordillera, located between the provinces of Asturias, León and Cantabria, remain a privileged terrain for trail enthusiasts. Every year, in June, many meet at the start of “la traversea de Picos de Europa” to challenge the three summits and the 6,600 meters of elevation gain over 74 kilometers, in a very bleak setting…
The Peaks of Europe, the highest massif of the Cantabrian cordillera, located between the provinces of Asturias, León and Cantabria, remain a privileged terrain for trail enthusiasts. Every year, in June, many meet at the start of “la traversea de Picos de Europa” to challenge the three summits and the 6,600 meters of elevation gain over 74 kilometers, in a very mineral setting.
This trail is one of the most difficult in the world. It is very popular with extreme running specialists. A few French runners venture there (it is 3.5 hours from the border). This was the case for the Béhobie champion, Maud Combarieu, who managed to put her name on the list of winners.
Difficult conditions
The particularity of this ultimate trail lies both in its route and in the climatic conditions. “The start is in the middle of the night, at 2 a.m., with a very low temperature, around zero degrees on the three peaks that climb to more than 2000 meters in altitude, says Maud Combarieu. We finish at the beginning of the afternoon in full heat, at more than 25 degrees. It is truly the race of extremes.”
“The departure is in the middle of the night, with a temperature around zero degrees on the three peaks which climb to more than 2000 meters above sea level”
The champion completed this difficult event in 13 hours and 44 minutes, beating the defending champion Claudia Gutierrez. “She was the local, used to winning at home. I caught up with her 48 km from the finish to distance herself by a quarter of an hour.” The Basque maths teacher from the Hendaye secondary school did not have time to count the number of stones. “It’s full of stones, with some parts filled with mud. You have to be careful not to fall.”
The great raids
Maud Combarieu is a winner of the main trails in the Basque Country, including the famous SkyRhune. She has remained undefeated for five years on the descent of the Rhune, where she beat all the best French women in the time trial, including the double world champion, Blandine Hirondel. “I love going downhill. For me, it’s a game. I like the technical parts, the wildest slopes. I will be there for the last edition of the Rhune but I will be doing the Dolomites Trophy this summer.”
Maud Combarieu discovered trail running over 20 years ago, in Réunion, where she lived for eight years. “I discovered that I liked running in the mountains, discovering new trails, new horizons through effort and surpassing oneself.” She won her first major victories on the island at the Bourbon trail and the Mascareignes, before returning to mainland France and running the major raids, including the Pyrenees, which she won twice.
His track record also includes successes on Mauritius and Corsica. The border resident also loves running the slopes of the southern Basque Country. “I am participating in the Basque Circuit Kopa Euskadi (3rd last year). I find that on the other side of the Bidasoa, there is a great atmosphere. The audience is large, warm, they encourage you.” Another positive point for Maud Combarieu, female participation is increasing in the races. “I see more and more women on short and medium distance trails, that’s good. »
