Running a 6.7 kilometer loop might seem pretty simple. But, when you have to repeat the exercise every hour, until only one runner remains, it’s quite an achievement.
Marco Poulin will compete in the World Team Championship at the Backyard-Ultra race this weekend in Edmundston. He aims to run more than 70 hours.
“The first goal will be to beat my personal goal of 53 hours and then the third night I haven’t made it yet. I think one loop at a time,” he said in an interview.
Climate, sleep and diet play an important role in this type of competition.
However, in a race against time, it is difficult to eat and sleep, according to the athlete.
“I have already performed up to two nights and [au bout de la deuxième nuit]we start to have hallucinations. Sleeping can be 15 minutes. In my situation, I am diabetic and have a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis. My diabetes needs to be monitored every hour. I also have a fire team with me,” he added.
At 60, he is the oldest member of the Canadian delegation. He will compete within this delegation made up of 14 other athletes. Among them is his mentor, pediatric intensivist Sébastien Roulier.
“It was he who opened the way for me to do long distances. We have a certain bond even if we don’t talk much. We’ve run nights together before. For me, nights are very difficult. I already fell asleep, I almost fell into a ditch and it was Mr. Roulier who woke me up. So at night, it’s nice to run together,” he said.
For Marco Poulin, it is a physical performance, but also a psychological one.
“I made poor life choices that led me to homelessness. I have come a long way to straighten out my life. I remember sleeping in the street, I remember difficult times and having dark thoughts.”
If he reaches the podium, he will represent Canada at the World Championship in Tennessee.
“When I was young, I dreamed of being an athlete. It’s a childhood dream!”
– With information from Corinne Krusa, TVA Nouvelles
