Almost 70 years old, this runner from Gironde does not shy away from any challenge

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“At the moment, I only do short races, between 30 and 50 km. » Michel Vimeney slips a slight smile. This retiree, keen on runningis a real machine. Unless you're in great shape, don't go teasing him.
To his credit: half-marathons galore, marathons too, and also ultra-trails, these extreme races. In the Langon sector, and even throughout Gironde, he is a face as well known as he is appreciated. A man we meet in all races.

Up to five workouts per week

No matter the weather. Whether it rains, winds or snows, the member of Stade Langonnais Athlétisme takes the start. And for training, it's the same. Well, almost… “From now on,” he said mischievously, “I’m lucky to be retired. So, if the weather isn't nice in the morning, I wait until the afternoon. »

And believe it, Michel Vimeney, almost 70 springis not the type to escape. His weeks are punctuated by running. Five weekly outings, such is his program. But it happens that the resident of Bommes slows down, especially before a competition. In this case, it is limited to three or four exits. “I’m a bit addicted,” he slips. A little… “

He discovered running late in life

How did the story that unites him with running begin? A little by chanceto tell the truth. “I played tennis at Illats,” remembers Michel Vimeney. One year, there weren't enough of us to create an interclub team. Suddenly, a friend, who was a centbornard [coureur à pied participant à des épreuves de 100 km, ndlr]said to us: 'Why don't you do a marathon?' It was in 2000.”

The South-Girondin, already very sporty, quickly catches on and develops a passion for running. A discipline that is sometimes thankless, sometimes intoxicating, often brittle, but always beneficial.

I did my first marathon after a year. And I found enormous pleasure in it. In tennis, we spent more time picking up the ball than running

Since then, due to vision problems, the athlete has put the racket in the closet. On the other hand, he continues to run. With the same enthusiasm that when it began, almost a quarter of a century ago.

“For one race, I spent three nights without sleeping”

The only difference, compared to his beginnings, is that he now favors outings in the heart of nature, during trails or ultra-trails.

Citing the list of races in which Michel Vimeney participated would take as long as counting the grains of sand in Biscarrosse. On the asphalt and the trails of France and Navarre, the South Girondin has worn out a lot of soles.

The man is a fanatic, an enthusiastwho does not shy away from any challenge. Three Grand Raid des Pyrénées, the Trans'Aq and its 220 km along the Aquitaine coast, but also the legendary Diagonale des Fous…

Moreover, he will not soon forget these 170 km covered, on a steep course, in the heart of Reunion Island. “I suffered quite a bit,” he remembers. During this race, I spent three nights without sleep. After a while, I had hallucinations. »

Michel Vimeney passes on his passion and his science to the youngest

With 24 years of practice and thousands of kilometers on the clock, Michel Vimeney has forged solid experience. “To prepare for my first marathon, I bought a book from an American,” he laughs. I had to do 40-mile sessions at Snow White Wood. It’s a lot of tricks! »

This method from another time, let's say it, Michel Vimeney has thrown into oblivion. And today, it is with passion thathe gives his advice to the young guard. For a decade, he has been training the youngest children and a group of adults at Stade Langonnais.

Coaching means transmitting your passion, instilling self-improvement. All while respecting the pace of learning. It's not about doing anything but offering well-constructed workouts.

See you at Bazas – Langon 2025

His next meeting? It will be the Bouliac trail on December 7. “A thirty-kilometer race, for the benefit of the Telethon, qualifying for the French trail championship,” specifies Michel Vimeney.

And, of course, we can count on himon the occasion of the Bazas-Langon, the famous half-marathon scheduled for March 9, 2025. This time, for this insatiable competitor, there is no question of 'making a time' and breaking the clock.

He will start as a pacesetter. His goal: to cover the 21 km in two hours to support the runners. Nothing too scary for him. “It will be at a leisurely pace. This will allow me to discuss. »

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