Victim of a stroke in 2018, a 36-year-old Quebecer has just achieved an extraordinary feat by completing a 386-kilometer ultramarathon in less than 100 hours in Utah.
The “ultras” craze continues to gain momentum within a community of limitless endurance enthusiasts.
For Xavier Barrette, who lives in Quebec, the challenge started in very small doses. “In 2016, my mother challenged me to do an Olympic triathlon and she beat me by four minutes!” Five years later, the balloon inflated with a first 100 miles.
On October 15, Xavier Barrette crossed the finish line of the Moab 240, a 240-mile American race that crosses the desert, canyons, slippery rocks and two mountain ranges, near the Canyonlands and Arches.
Photo provided by Xavier Barrette
Draw
Surprisingly, the 225 elected officials are handpicked and, what’s more, they must pay for their participation. “In May, after a 100-miler in Norway, I signed up for the Moab draw. The rate is less than 20%, but fortunately or unfortunately, I was chosen. The amount goes to your credit card and you can’t go back,” he explains.
In this world of excess, running a standard marathon has long ceased to be the goal.
The official results are not yet available, but Xavier would have taken 32e rank of the event in 96 h and 52 min. There is no need to win in this area as everyone marvels at the accomplishment.
Heat and sleep
“It was desert with almost 10,000 meters of elevation. There were 15 stations, some of which you could sleep in but I had my parents for support. I was able to sleep about five hours total in three stretches.”
On the journey, heat has been a significant enemy in 2024, as has protecting the feet to avoid unnecessary suffering. Ice bath, spray, grease and powder make up the arsenal to support your shoes.
“Sleep management too. I didn’t sleep for 44 hours. The second night, you start to hallucinate a little. Alone with your headlamp, rocks often look like animals. I still had 12 kilometers to go but on a long 20% climb, I was progressing at 25 minutes to the kilometer and counting the hours until the stop. I laid down for five minutes and had to talk to myself.”
Photo provided by Xavier Barrette
Heart surgery
Before running these extraordinary distances, however, Xavier was struck by a stroke which could have stopped his momentum in one fell swoop.
“In 2018, I was five days away from a half-Ironman in Tremblant and was no longer able to speak when I woke up. I managed to get to the hospital in time,” explains the athlete.
Fortunately, the cause was quickly identified and corrected: patent foramen ovale, a type of heart abnormality that can lead to abnormal blood exchange between the atria.
“They closed the hole a few months later and now everything is fine,” he assures.
Physically and mentally, Xavier Barrette does not yet believe he has reached his tolerance threshold.
“I was able. The body adapts. I wouldn’t do the same race again, but there are other interesting 200-mile events.”
Elsewhere, a few crazy people have even created the Arizona Monster, 309 miles or 497 kilometers long.
Photo provided by Xavier Barrette
