Do not participate in the Diagonal of Fools who wants. This ultra-trail ran on theReunion Island requires almost extraordinary physical skills. Although an amateur, and young in the racing world, the Salonais Sébastien N'Guyen Van can be proud of having completed its third Diagonale last October. Interview.
How long have you been running?
After having done motocross, enduro mountain biking, downhill mountain biking and boxing for a long time, I started running barely 10 years ago with small village races, when I was 40 years old. In September 2014, I participated in my first 10 km in Istres and everything came together. I got caught up in the running frenzy. After three months of practice, I set off on the legendary Marseille/Cassis (21 kilometers) which I completed in 1h30. Some time later, I did my first “SaintéLyon”, an 80 km night race relaying the two towns in the departments of Rhône and Loire.
Ten years later, you finish your 3e Diagonal of fools. It’s a great challenge when we know that the abandonment rate is close to 40%.
It was THE challenge of my 50th birthday. Indeed, this race which crosses Reunion Island is renowned for being one of the most difficult due to its distance of 175 kilometers and especially its positive altitude difference of 10,150 meters! So, my goal was simply to complete my fifty-year challenge and, regardless of the weather, get my third finisher's t-shirt. My time this year was less important, as proof I finished the trail in 53 hours while my best time was 46 hours, or 6 hours more.
How did you qualify?
To qualify, I managed to pass the Cut on “l’ultra” Mont Ventoux (169 km and 7,000 elevation gain) and on the Ventoux trail (85 km and 4,500 elevation gain). After these first two physical stages, we still had to be lucky enough to be among those drawn to obtain the starting bib and it was done.
Micro-naps of 5 to 20 minutes during the Diagonale des Fous
How was the preparation and the race?
I am a pure amateur so I do not have specific staff for my preparation and all this is taken during my vacation periods, my weekends. Only Florence, my companion, accompanied me whenever she could. In the end, I didn't do much preparation. Over the last year, I have had to do on average three jogging outings per week, often with my Foulée salonaise club, which represents 30 to 50 km in total, 1 hour of muscle strengthening, very regular bike outings and above all The most important thing for this type of event: having great mental strength. Regarding the race, I left on Thursday October 17 at 10 p.m. and I arrived on Sunday October 20 at 3:50 a.m., almost three full nights sleeping outside. When I say sleep it's not exactly that, because we regularly take micro-naps ranging from 5 to 20 minutes maximum on the side of the road. During the ultra trail, this year we had to manage big temperature variations, it was sometimes very hot and sometimes quite cold. Perhaps there was a cause and effect relationship, because the effort was so intense that I had hallucinations. Besides, I must admit that, this year, without Florence's psychological support, I might not have been able to finish. She accompanied me for the last 40 kilometers, she boosted me in the weak times, knowing that it was her and her children who also helped me with everything concerning assistance. The assistance phase consists of preparing my supplies, my racing gear and everything related to comfort in advance so that I am in the best conditions.
The race therefore represents a big physical but also financial investment.
Yes, you need a budget of between €2,000 and €3,000, which includes plane tickets, accommodation, approved equipment (which is essential) and registration.
Are you ready to leave in 2025 for a 4e Diagonal of fools?
There, now, I answer no. But if a challenge presents itself… why not, I like challenges, but I now see myself on “little ultras” of 100 km, which require less personal investment.
