Trail. After 57 hours, Florian Lainé completes the Diagonale des Fous

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Licensed to Cap Caen RunningFlorian Lainé (41 years old) completed, on October 20, 2024 after 57 hours of effort, the Grand Raid of the Diagonale des Fous, which crosses Reunion Island from one side to the other. “I can’t wait to come back next year,” he smiles. Interview with a tired but happy man.

Florian, what remains today of the 57 hours you spent on the Grand Raid de la Diagonale des Fous route?

A wonderful memory although there were obviously some moments more difficult than others. I had already participated in the Templar Festival and the Barjo but never in such a long event. So much so that, as it was a discovery, and moreover in particular climatic conditions, I had only set myself the objective of crossing the finish line. The hardest part was managing sleep.

With the physical preparation endured for several weeks, the state of form was good. Nutrition and hydration also went well. As the start was at 10 p.m., I was prepared for a first sleepless night. I had planned to take a micro-nap every eight hours but, arriving at the first life base, overtaken by euphoria and the weather, I quickly realized that this would be impossible.

“Relief mixed with pride”

How did you feel when you crossed the finish line after so many hours of effort?

A very great happiness. Relief mixed with pride since I had managed to accomplish the feat of going to the end. Tears came to my eyes when I saw my wife. It was, for me, the consecration of all the sacrifices to which I had made.

Trail running and running fascinate me. I have been thinking about this race for some time now because it is so legendary. It attracted me if only for the island where it took place. I had seen many reports, read many books or comics and I was lucky enough to be able to participate from my first registration.

Have you considered giving up in the face of the difficulty of the test?

I was so determined that the question didn’t cross my mind. Except, maybe, once. After 150 kilometers of racing, I was overcome by hallucinations and felt very tired. As best I could, I arrived at the refreshment point and, there, the words of my family allowed me to continue. That my loved ones were able to come with me was very important.

The Piton de la Fournaise, the cirques of Mafate and Cilaos… the Diagonale des Fous is also renowned for the beauty of the scenery it crosses…

The terrain is so technical that we constantly had our eyes glued to where we put our feet but, when we crossed the cirques, we stopped to contemplate the landscapes and to take photos of them. We sometimes felt very small! It was the settings that moved us forward.

“I was a real electric battery”

And, perhaps, the public too?

At the start, when we heard the race anthem and saw the excitement that continued for seven or eight kilometers, we felt like heroes. Everyone wanted to high five us. We passed through small villages and there we were given water or Coca-Cola. You really have to experience it! From start to finish, the crowds were cheering for us all the way.

How did you prepare for this extraordinary race?

I arrived a few days before departure so I could acclimatize to the island. In addition to a certain physical baggage, all the trails in which I was able to participate also gave me a mental boost. I got my bib in January. From then on, I trained six days a week doing either running or strength training.

Our loved ones support us in the moments of doubt that we may go through. My preparation was good despite a few small hiccups such as tendinitis in my knee. My family reassured me when I was overwhelmed by stress. Four or five days before the race, I was a real electric shock because I asked myself a lot of questions but they told me that they believed in me and that everyone supported me. These are words that helped me.

Do you think that having participated in such a race now makes you belong to an elite or a particular and special category of trail runners?

I think so but without any pretension. Crossing the finish line was not given to everyone. The race is so difficult. In managing their diet, sleep or hydration, organisms are put to the test. You have to practice a lot to be able to participate.

When we have completed such a legendary race, what can we now dream of?

I can’t wait to return to the island next year and, with the experience I now have, set myself a target time of around 40 or 45 hours. I have always been very sporty. Football, tennis but I ended up having enough.

I discovered trail running five years ago with friends. First, jogging then small trails. I developed a taste for running in nature. Today, I no longer do road racing. Having put your body to the test, surpassing yourself, it’s such a joy when you cross the finish line.

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