the essential
Final straight before the start of the Ronde Givrée, on January 26 in Castres. This relay race, approximately 60 km long, needs no introduction: it is an unmissable event for runners from the entire region.
Departure on Sunday January 26 for the oldest and undoubtedly one of the most important relay races! A true Castres institution, the Ronde Givrée brings together more than 1000 runners each year, over 60 km in and around Castres.
“We are once again offering 4 courses for everyone,” explains Jean-Pierre Simoné, the president of the Coureurs de fond de Castres. “An urban course, which goes into town and to Gourjade, over 13 km. A course which combines road and trail, over 16km, which will pass through the Chemin des Fontaines and the Sidobre. Then, a small trail of 11 km which passes through the Parule, and finally what we call the “grand trail”, of. 17km, which passes by the paradise waterfall and the Parule.” At the end of the 4 courses, there will of course be the course common to each team, of 700m, around the exhibition center.
A race for everyone, but a demanding race
La Ronde Givrée, faithful to its tradition, aims to remain a race for everyone. “It is for both seasoned and casual runners. Some participants only do one race a year, and that’s the Ronde!” Moreover, there are already 330 teams registered, out of a possible 400. “This year, it’s going quickly! Compared to last year, we’re already beyond (280 teams were registered in mid-January). Perhaps the implementation this year of the PPS, the Prevention Pathway Health, easier to obtain than a medical certificate, makes registration easier? Also note that stages 1 and 3 are open to minors born in 2008 and 2009.
Still, the party, supervised by 250 volunteers, promises to be great. Especially since the double defending team, the Vincenduro team, had not yet registered at the time of writing these lines. “They won last year in 3h28,” underlines Jean-Pierre Simoné.
Every year, the president of the Long Distance Runners mischievously hopes for “weather that is not too unpredictable… But a little all the same!” Because a sunny Frosted Round is not quite a Frosted Round! Driving rain, squalls and even snow have contributed to the fame of the event, and many runners pass on their stories of mud, puddles and soaked bones.
Registrations are still possible via the chronostart website until January 23. And “if teams are missing a person, let them contact us. We can complete the teams!” promises the president. Impatient before the big departure, January 26 at 9 a.m.
Morocco
