42 minutes of souvenirs for this great edition. From the "refugee camp" at Montalivet right up to your tears at the final finish line, everything is there, even that head-spinning climb of the Dune du Pyla!
I particularly love this year's film, and the very original sound track.
You can order it, and it will be sent out straightaway (see our "boutique" web page (french pages only) and order it online).
Araouane (Araouan or Arawan)
You've perhaps noticed that there's a new title on the menu, at the left of this page, right at the bottom, colour orange: "Araouane, oasis in Mali".
Visit the page, largely illustrated with some great photos. It's a cause that we defend and that some Trans Aquitainians are also starting to defend with us. It's a voluntary decision, of course!
You can order the film from our "Boutique" (French web page).
The few and far between interviews have not been translated, the film is in its original version, with no sub titles or dubbing.
2011 Registrations
Registrations will be open from 1st September, but we already have 14 requests!
The Rules and Regulations for 2011 are on line.
A few changes:
Clause 17:
Return of "light" orienteering. The itinerary will be completely and very well marked up, but we're going back to the rules of the first five editions. A precise road book and the possibility, once or twice, during a stage de gain some time (but not always distance) by choosing other options. One to three minutes may possibly be gained on each stage, but the possibility also exists of you going wrong and loosing time.
It's just for the fun and for the adrenalin rush.
But I repeat, the itinerary will be completely marked up!
Clause 19:
A few changes concerning lamps.
Clause 23:
·We've established a list of recommended products for the first aid kit.
·A survival blanket is now mandatory (numerous cases of hypothermia this year).
·A metallic knife blade is now mandatory (some of you had plastic knives). The knife may be very small, but the blade must be able to cut.
Finally, we've removed the final finish line accommodation (mobile homes) that was included in the registration fee, because this year we spent far too much time working on the reservations (perhaps 40 working hours and you sometimes changed your minds even during the race!) and some of you complained because we weren't efficient enough getting you to your front door steps...).
We'll give you the address and telephone number for the reservation service of the camp site and you can make your own reservations, everyone will be happy and we can spend our time and energy organising the race.
For those who don't want the worry of the extra expense, the bivouac will be set up once moret, in the campsite not far from the hot showers, so you'll have the possibility of spending one more night!
Film
You must have noticed that Alexandre filmed the Trans Aq'.
The editing is taking place at the moment and the film will be about 40 minutes long.
I've had a look at the pre-editing of the first 4 stages. It's in accordance with my wishes, it's not a documentary, it's a souvenir, destined for you to re-live the atmosphere and the landscapes of this 6th edition. You're all in the film at one point. The climbing of the Dune du Pyla is filmed, it's impressing! Great music, including the famous "Run to Hell", that I think you may have heard quite often...
The film will be available from the last week of July. Price, 30 Euros (50 Euros last year; we've removed a middleman, we're producing this film ourselves), cheques are to be made
2011
You've asked us about the dates for the 7th edition of the Trans Aq'..
It's as usual, week 22, from 29th May to 4th June. Note that Ascension Thursday (public holiday in France) has slipped into the middle.
Stage victories
This year Anne Wade*** won 3 stages, Nadia Vételé** 1 stage and our "novice" Claudine Jaillet* 1 stage also.
Guillaume Vimeney* took 4 stages, Hakim Méziane** 1 stage and Sébastien Bousquet 1 stage also.
The honours list of winners for Trans Aq' stages:
Lucile Belotti*, Edith Doyen* and Alexandra Rousset** 6 victories
Sophie Satrin* 5 victories
Ruth Maillard* 4 victories
Anne Wade*** 3 victories
Emmanuelle Dudon***’ and Marie-Anne Soulier* 2 victories
About 400 photos are now on-line at the ¨"Photos" page.
TV
Those who know me well, know that I don't run after the mass media. I do the minimum, more by respect for you and for our partners, but I've had no illusions for a long time: the Trans Aq' doesn't interest the media. It's not sensational. 152 competitors? Ah! Ha! "It's a small race"; Not tons of rubbish on the itinerary, no spectators trampling the nature, no booming sound system at the finish line, no lasers scouring the skies... etc.
I would need at least a serious accident (cf le Mercantour) to talk about the Trans Aq'. So I really am an idiot, putting so much energy and means into making the race so safe each year, its stupid!
The local press, well intentioned, it must be said, did however cover the Trans Aq every day, with help from our press agent.
But no television this year. A well know channel wanted to cover the 5th stage, mais... No one turned up. More urgent information elsewhere. Information?
Here are the headlines from last night's news broadcast: The poor trader J. Kerviel who stole millions (from us) "risks" 5 years imprisonment, a couple who've been beating up their child for the last 7 years "risk" 3 years imprisonment, and finally a guy who refused to pay his parking fines for years left prison, poor guy. Not even a paedophile to hear about, a shame for the audience ratings.
It reminds me of a journalist really excited before the 24 hours in Brive, who hardly said hello to me, then "They tell me there's a disabled competitor! I'ld like to interview her!". My reaction, cooled him down and there was no interview.
My grandmother said that to be remarked, you just have to push a feather up your bottom. Those days are long gone, you have to do a lot more these days, the media are bid higher and high and our children no longer have any bearings. And they (the media) explain that it is us who request this type of news!
Long live the liberty of the press!
Stars
On our "Stars" web page, we've updated your stars.
1 runner 6 stars
1 runner 5 stars
9 runners 4 stars
19 runners 3 stars
72 runners 2 stars
461 runners 1 star
66 non finishers
This year, 93 new stars of which 5 who abandoned in the past and who came back to get their revenge.
Please let us know of any possible mistakes.
Photos
At the "Photos" page of our website, I've put on-line about a hundred photos taken by Bernard in low or average definition (150 to 300 Ko). These photos were taken during the first two days of this 6th edition. I'll add more photos, little by little, over the next few days.
A CD of these photos, high definition (1.5 to 2 mo), will be available in about a month. Not only will it contain general shots, it will also have all of your own photos (this is why it's good to have a visible bib).
The price is 25€ (50€ the previous years). The profits will be handed over to the village of Araouane (oasis in the North of Mali) in order to finance a school that is dying out, a cause that Bernard Cournarie (our photographer) and myself support.
Please make out your cheques to Dune Organisation.
Thanks
The after race
This Trans Aq' was a great edition, after your remarks at the final finish line. We'll reply later to all your kind messages that are coming in fast and furious.
Photos?, Yes, yes a first series will be online tomorrow.
We're deep into the after race.Still lots of work: cleaning the rented material and handing it back this evening along with the 5 trucks. There are also 52 tents, and 9 medical trunks to tidy and send out, etc., etc.
Recover well, all of you, and have a good trip back to civilisation!
2010 Rankings
Sorry for no news since 10 days ! Our translater (Susan****) was running her 4rth Trans Aq' !
The rankings are online at the "classements" page. Download or open the files and don't forget to open the different sheets in each file.
More information later
Place
Nom
Prénom
Temps
Catégorie
Pays
Equipe
1
Vimeney*
Guillaume
18:07:05
SM
F (75)
.
2
Méziane**
Hakim
00:42:17
V1M
F (95)
Team Domont
3
Bousquet*
Sébastien
00:52:07
SM
F (34)
Lous cutiots
4
Mézière**
Xavier
01:03:51
SM
F (35)
.
5
Sentost*
Benoît
01:12:47
SM
F (31)
AFUM Team Auterive
6
Zaghet***
Thierry
01:46:51
V1M
F (58)
Lous cutiots
7
Simon*
Alain
02:55:47
V1M
F (86)
.
8
Seurat*
Philippe
03:09:43
V1M
F (42)
.
9
Gufflet**
Matthieu
03:12:40
SM
F (33)
Team CARGLASS
10
Mora***
Philippe
03:34:18
V1M
F (40)
Lous cutiots
11
Hamerlinck**
Chris
03:46:02
SM
NL
12
Bretaud*
Frédéric
03:53:28
SM
F (16)
Lous cutiots
13
Sikora******
Dominique
03:55:09
V1M
F (40)
Lous cutiots
14
Caumeil*
Frédéric
04:25:12
SM
F(11)
15
Carette*
Alain
04:25:40
V1M
B
16
Duboq*
Rémi
04:31:17
V1M
F (45)
17
Gaillat*
Patrick
04:41:23
V1M
F (42)
18
Goudet***
Olivier
05:08:37
V1M
F (37)
Ensemble pour Chloé 1
19
Kirkman*
Thomas
05:18:49
SM
GB
20
Robin*
Jean-Patrick
05:20:30
V1M
F (01)
21
Nardin*
Jean-Louis
05:53:19
V2M
F (31)
AFUM Team Auterive
22
Philippot**
Dominique
05:56:35
V1M
F (75)
L'ECOSAQ
23
Lopes Costa*
Armando
05:57:24
V2M
F (77)
Les Dalton
24
Spaur*
Pascal
05:58:46
V1M
F (28)
Maratouristes de Dreux
25
Deboeuf*
Philippe
06:18:00
V1M
F (79)
26
Demars*
François
06:20:14
V1M
F (59)
La Chti défi
27
Barat*
Philippe
06:28:56
V1M
F (33)
Les 4 fantastiques
28
Chalet*
Bruno
06:32:23
V1M
F (69)
29
Lavigne***
Joël
06:42:13
V1M
F (Lux)
30
Cholou**'
Emmanuel
06:42:26
V1M
F (33)
Lou sentious
31
Temmerman*
Hervé
06:46:38
V1M
F (59)
La Chti défi
32
Giraudoux*
Jean-Luc
07:11:13
V1M
F (93)
Ensemble pour Chloé 1
33
Barbié*
Frédéric
07:19:26
V1M
F (11)
34
Wade***
Anne
07:21:17
V2F
GB
35
Vimeney*
Michel
07:23:02
V2M
F (33)
36
Grandin**
Patrick
07:38:14
V2M
F (91)
37
Wade***
Vaughan
07:54:40
V2M
GB
38
Carvalho*
Victor
07:58:46
V1M
P
Team Domont
39
Granet*
Stéphane
08:02:18
V1M
F (63)
40
Bas *
Christian
08:05:34
SM
F (91)
L'ECOSAQ
41
Vételé**
Nadia
08:08:51
SF
F (66)
Ensemble pour Chloé 1
42
Gioria*
Stéphane
08:26:24
V1M
F (85)
43
Simoni**
Marc
08:29:42
V1M
F (95)
Team Domont
44
Brousse*
David
08:43:28
V1M
F (31)
45
Lacarrière*
Valérie
08:51:58
V1F
F (83)
46
Chabaud*
Marielle
08:51:58
V1F
F (83)
47
Clerton*
Philippe
08:57:57
SM
F (91)
48
Wrobel****
Christophe
09:10:47
V1M
F (21)
20° celsius
49
Rose*
Franck
09:11:10
V1M
D
50
Rué**
Christophe
09:21:30
SM
F (33)
Lou sentious
51
Justel*
Didier
09:28:37
SM
F (37)
52
Mahé*
Yvan
09:29:42
V1M
F (29)
53
Fromager*
Alain
09:38:35
V2M
F 75)
54
Jaillet*
Claudine
09:42:02
SF
F (01)
55
Rongvaux*
Bernard
09:42:08
V2M
B
Ensemble pour Chloé 2
56
Boss*
Tommy
09:46:12
SM
D
MDS Tent 70/2
57
Halford*
Pete
09:53:55
V1M
Canada
Les trois castors
58
Passamonti*
Massimo
10:01:43
SM
Italia
59
Aragon*
Patrick
10:03:20
V2M
F (33)
60
Badie*
Stéphane
10:04:39
SM
F (63)
61
Merlier**
Jérôme
10:10:28
SM
F (25)
20° celsius
62
Lassus*
Emmanuel
10:14:54
V1M
F (75)
63
Michon**
Sylvie
10:15:52
V2F
F (33)
Les 4 fantastiques
64
Chrétien**
Corinne
10:20:08
V1F
F (17)
Lou sentious
65
Marcot*
Guy
10:22:52
V2M
F (34)
66
Ginot*
Carole
10:22:52
V1F
F (69)
67
Ginot*
Yvan
10:24:37
V1M
F (69)
68
Bevalet**
Bertrand
10:28:13
V1M
F (77)
69
Marie*
Didier
10:33:12
V1M
F (27)
Maratouristes de Dreux
70
Domise*
Sébastien
10:36:46
V1M
F (59)
71
Leaux*
Richard
10:37:13
V3M
F (45)
72
Lagarde*
Marie-Laure
10:44:43
V1F
F (33)
73
Keller*
Alexander
10:58:18
V1M
D
MDS Tent 70/2
74
Bonnay*
Dominique
11:02:01
V1M
F (87)
75
Jaeger*
Gérard
11:02:38
V2M
F (31)
76
Nobécourt**
Pascal
11:07:53
V1M
F (65)
77
Meyer*
Frédéric
11:10:16
SM
F (68)
78
Plat**
Joël
11:14:44
V1M
F (92)
79
Dupart*
Frédéric
11:21:11
SM
F (33)
80
Michalak*
Isabelle
11:23:17
SF
F (Lux)
Ensemble pour Chloé 2
81
Gahler*
Thomas
11:25:45
V1M
D
MDS Tent 70/2
82
Freer*
Victoria
11:53:46
V1F
GB
83
Lavigne**
Marianne
12:04:02
V1F
NL
84
Jost****
Philippe
12:13:26
V3M
F (75)
85
Ackermann*
Jérôme
12:24:33
SM
F (78)
86
Evrard**
Geoffrey
12:25:32
SM
F (59)
Team CARGLASS
87
Cervera*
Patrice
12:35:54
V1M
F (69)
88
Cigan*
Joachim
12:40:18
V2M
D
MDS Tent 70/1
89
Giannino*
Xavier
12:55:22
SM
F (13)
Team CARGLASS
90
Portrat***
Valérie
13:01:32
V1F
F (69)
Lous cutiotes
91
Laporte*****
Michel
13:05:18
V3M
F (33)
92
Le Meur*
Christian
13:13:46
V3M
F (28)
Maratouristes de Dreux
93
Le Bris*
Pascal
13:14:56
V2M
F (33)
94
Serres****
Susan
13:17:33
V2F
GB
95
Klotz**
Virginie
13:18:13
V1F
F (31)
Les 4 fantastiques
96
Durand*
Didier
13:18:23
V1M
F (31)
Les 4 fantastiques
97
Collins*
Steven
13:21:43
SM
GB
Alf Tupper
98
Tesnière*
Pascal
13:29:17
V1M
F (76)
99
Boileau *
Christophe
13:43:46
SM
F (44)
OSEKI-ODP
100
Bevalet*
Marc
13:46:44
V2M
F (91)
101
Valot**
Patrick
13:48:27
V2M
F (77)
102
Hastie*
Andrew
13:51:56
V1M
GB
103
Caumon**
Caroline
13:54:41
V1F
F (75)
104
Ménard****
Pascale
13:56:17
V2F
F (29)
OSEKI-ODP
105
Debus*
Bernd
14:04:55
V1M
D
MDS Tent 70/1
106
Minaire*
Patrick
14:07:59
V1M
F (31)
AFUM Team Auterive
107
Brunette***
Corinne
14:26:04
V1F
F
Lous cutiotes
108
Gasqueton*
Pascal
14:26:44
V1M
F (33)
109
Picard*
Michel
14:29:04
V2M
F (37)
Ensemble pour Chloé 2
110
Le Meur*
Emmanuel
14:32:05
V1M
F (17)
L'ECOSAQ
111
Ferrer*
Frédéric
14:47:28
V1M
F (92)
112
Corrihons*
Nicolas
14:50:27
SM
F (33)
113
Kraemer*
Caroline
14:52:47
SF
F (68)
114
Barrère*
Eric
15:08:06
V2M
F (16)
115
Carrel*
Paul
15:18:04
SM
GB
116
Féret*
Laurence
15:20:24
V1F
F (61)
Lous cutiotes
117
Jacobi*
Ralf
15:22:31
V1M
D
MDS Tent 70/1
118
Merlier**
Nathalie
15:31:27
SF
F (25)
20° celsius
119
Hardy**
Gérard
15:34:47
V2M
F (60)
120
Collins*
Gary
16:26:53
SH
GB
Alf Tupper
121
Legrand*
Arnaud
16:33:32
V2M
F (38)
122
Leyterre*
Sylvie
17:03:55
V1F
F (87)
123
Denaene***
Franck
17:25:34
V1M
F (44)
OSEKI-ODP
124
Gaston*
Bruno
17:34:02
V1M
F (33)
125
Chadourne***
Denis
17:40:05
V3M
F (24)
Les Dalton
126
Maache*
Jean-Louis
18:17:05
V2M
F (01)
127
Fatras**
Jacques
18:26:19
V1M
F (74)
Les Dalton
128
Mahot****
Dominique
18:27:03
V2M
F (77)
OSEKI-ODP
129
Mangin*
Pascale
19:27:54
V2F
F (83)
130
Peres-Lacaze*
Corinne
20:18:02
V1F
F (95)
Lous cutiotes
131
Lefèvre*
Véronique
20:40:03
V1F
F (95)
Les Marmottes
132
Duparc*
Martine
21:21:19
V1F
F (92)
133
Delaby****
Francis
21:40:57
V3M
F (62)
134
De Bruijn*
Petra
22:02:27
SF
NL
135
De Bruijn**
Karel
22:02:27
V2M
NL
136
Hurlisis**
Martial
23:36:49
V1M
F (59)
La Chti défi
137
Decottignies*
Isabelle
24:43:46
V1F
F(59)
Les Marmottes
Abandons
NC
Legrand*
Sébastien
SM
NC
Reymond
Arnaud
SM
NC
Michel*
Claudio
SM
NC
Kréa**
Patrick
V1M
NC
Dudon***'
Emmanuelle
V1F
NC
Henderson
William
SM
NC
Hilfiker
Thomas
SM
NC
Blanc
Yannick
SM
NC
Mathis*
Brice
SM
NC
Collins**
Chris
V3M
NC
Sabatier
Christian
V2M
NC
Dauteribes*
René
V4M
NC
Hutchinson
David
V2M
NC
Perrot
Laurence
V1F
NC
Bellili
Hamza
SM
Press release – Stage 2
The 6th edition of the Trans Aq'
A tight fight on this 2nd stage
Hourtin – Lacanau Ocean (40 km)
After a good night's sleep and a few treated injuries, the 152 TA competitors started out all fit as a fiddle this morning for the second stage, under a fine drizzle that did nothing to diminish their enthusiasm... The cool air, and the sunshine that slowly broke through the Girondin skies made the race more comfortable, because 40 km are not as easy as that. Alternating between hilly areas, grassy and sandy paths, soft sand, cement paths and other areas, 535 meters of elevation in total... well, conditions worthy of a good trail.
Pace after pace, the runners must manage as best they can their progression to avoid tiring too soon and risks of tendonitis. The arrival at the forestry house of the Lion at Lacanau was a blessing for the less hardened. All took joy in the showering using, a rudimentary hand pump to ease away the feeling of wooden legs.
All the aspects of escape to be found in full nature are put end-to-end giving the crazy charm to this pedestrian raid that delight each year its guests.
Guillaume Vimeney tells us about his 2nd stage "this distance I didn't manage very well, even if the last 5 kilometers were particularly gruelling. 40 km rich in lessons, particularly for food because I realised that I hadn't had enough, causing a small hypoglycaemic crisis, but nothing serious. It really is important to take care of oneself, and that, Gérard never stops telling us and for a reason!!! For the long distance of tomorrow, it'll need good hydration. I also going to try and stay good, attack less but still keeping in front of my running friends."
Male rankings:
For his first participation in the Trans Aq', Guillaume Vimeney (bib N° 101) has made himself a name because he keeps his winner title for this second stage:
1/ Guillaume Vimeney (3h19’51)
2/ Benoit Sentost at 4’53
3/ Hakim Méziane at 10’31.
In the general rankings, Guillaume increases his advance on Benoit by more than 10m.
Female rankings:
1/ Anne Wade** (GB) at 4h34’28
2 / Emmanuelle Dudon***' (Canada) at 10’32
3/ Nadia Vételé* (F) at 14'43
Anne Wade has caught up a lot of time on Emmanuelle on this second stage and is only a few seconds behind the Canadian.
2 abandons: Patrick Kréa (bib 72) and Sébastien Legrand (bib 95).
As tomorrow, Wednesday's, stage approaches, the long run of the Trans Aq' of 55 km, apprehension may take over some runners. They'll take a flatter itinerary, very sandy, pass through a beautiful shady passage along a canal and then, and this is where it may take its toll, cover the last 16 km on the beach before arriving at Cap-Ferret. Two start lines will be given: the first at 7h30 and the second at 9h. The 60 first runners in the general rankings will leave the bivouac at 9h, in this way the first runners of this second start will quickly catch up with the first runners of the first start.
Stage 2
151 runners at the start line this morning, under a slight drizzle for the first kilometres. Then grey skies and humidity that announces heat and sunshine, soon...(?).
The youngster, Guillaume Vimeney takes his second stage victory and has constructed a 10 minute advance after 2 stages. Anne Wade (GB) has inverted the trend with Emmanuelle Dudon (Canada). They are now elbow to elbow in the general rankings.
Tomorrow, 55 km are programmed.
If you're following the race live, don't forget that for this 3rd stage, the first 60 in the general rankings of this evening, will start out 1h30 after the rest of the pack tomorrow. This is for better safety (the pack will be less spread out over the itinerary). Of course the rankings will be calculated in real time!
The rankings for stage 2 are on-line.
Press release – Stage 1
Press release – Stage 1
The 6th edition of the Trans Aq'
Electric atmosphere for this first stage.
Montalivet – Hourtin (31 km)
A liberating cry, and the 152 runners of the Trans Aq' started out on Monday at 10 o'clock along the long beach of Montalivet under a fine drizzle and a cross wind. Since the night before the tension could be felt, men and women alike just had one need, cross that first start line and get into the heart of the matter...
No longer a question of backing out, it's off for the adventure!
After covering 2 km of beach, the competitors left it to enter a more forestry itinerary along rough, damaged tracks towards "La Gracieuse" at Hourtin. Right up to the arrival of this first stage the runners were able to profit from good running conditions; cool air and a few bright spells, made this pedestrian raid more comfortable. They progressed along narrow, earthy tracks covered in pine needles, then more sandy tracks. Magical moments for these intrepid runners "a bit mad but lovable" (as said Isabelle the intensive care anaesthestist, member of the Trans Aq' medical team), who could be found at one point on the top of a dune with the spectacular vision of the ocean on their right and the forest on their left.
As the control points are passed, tiredness begins to be felt for some of the pack, looking a little drawn, their footing a little less sure, but nothing gives, they have to get to th end. The Trans Aq' only happens once a year so give your all! The volunteers, in charge of the control points or the aid stations, are all in place and are there to encourage right up to the arrival line bivouac on the magnificent lake-side site of Hourtin Lake.
The Girondin Guillaume Vimeney (bib N° 101) wasted no time in leaving the pack behind and running a great first stage in 2h35m10s (10 minutes under his planned time). Hakim Méziane* (bib N° 86), who won the first two stages in 2009, takes second position (4m37s behind Guillaume) followed closely by Benoit Sentost from Toulouse (5m36s).
Womens rankings:
1/ Emmanuelle Dudon***' (Canada) 3h20'32
2/ Nadia Vételé* (F) à10'59
3/ Anne Wade** (GB) à 11'10
This "warming up" prepared the runners for tomorrow (Tuesday) mornings stage that will be longer (40 km), sinuous, hilly forests, alternating between grass and sand tracks. Difficulties that are all the "charm" of a well thought out itinerary offering to the courageous a beautiful immersion into Aquitain landscapes. A stage that the faster runners should cover in about 4 hours.
After a good nights recover under the tent, the competitors will start out again tomorrow at 8h30; this second stage will take them to the ocean at Lacanau. Good management of this stages running will be necessary before attacking on Wednesday the longest stage of the race. Caution and moderation are to be taken!
NB - A "*" corresponds to one Trans Aq' participation.
Stage start times
Here are the start times for each stage for those who need to know and those who probably have "things to take" two hours before breakfast.
These times are varied because of the tide times, bus transfers, the captains age and wind speeds.
Stage 1: 10h
Stage 2: 8h30
Stage 3: 7h30 and 9h (two waves) (for the surfers)
Stage 4: 21h
Stage 5: 10h30
Stage 6: 9h
Itinerary
You'll have noticed that I've grouped together all the stage descriptions.
Today, I've tweaked a little the itinerary of the second stage, I've simplified it, reduced it by 1 km and taken away a little bit of sand. I've found loads of new tracks and a really wild gorge where 2 resin pot "mines" have resisted the ages. I'm going to leave them there, you'll see them as your pass by.
Unfortunately this stage will be quite sandy and you'll find it really long. But the landscapes are magnificent...
The 2010 Trans Aq' itinerary is now definitive, if its validated by the local authorities.
Here's a table comparing the stages for the 6 Trans Aq's.
Note that in 2006 stage 3 was shortened because of the heat-wave, but 2 runners completed the original planned distance (68 km) (Another runner wanted to complete the missing 9 km "off-race", I've forgotten who it was... If he knows then perhaps he could refresh my memory!).
The figures below are correct, even if they go against what I've announced in the "Trans Aq' Story's".
Etape 1
Etape 2
Etape 3
Etape 4
Etape 5
Etape 6
Total
48 km
31 km
62 km
30 km
31 km
19,5 km
221,5 km
2005
160 m
279 m
266 m
315 m
160m
14 m
1 194 m
40 km
30,6 km
58,9 km
30,2 km
35,1 km
25,3 km
220,1 km
2006
136 m
319 m
315 m
510 m
421 m
202 m
1 482 m
27,7 km
44,2 km
54,2 km
33,7 km
35,3 km
28 km
223,1 km
2007
386 m
633 m
387m
607 m
304 m
241 m
2 558 m
29,7 km
33,9 km
58,2 km
37,2 km
36,8 km
20,3 km
216,2 km
2008
483 m
393 m
309 m
698 m
380 m
50 m
2 313 m
28 km
41,5 km
57,3 km
39,2 km
23,6 km
27,1 km
216,7 km
2009
322 m
480 m
376 m
686 m
292 m
175 m
2 331 m
31,1 km
38,6 km
56,2 km
39,2 km
26,1 km
26,6 km
217,8 km
2010
170 m
535 m
260 m
690 m
334 m
306 m
2 295 m
Stage 1 modified
As I said yesterday, here are a few changes made to the first stage.
It goes from 29.9 km to 31.1 km. I wanted to avoid a very sandy track...
Thursday I'll tell you about stage 2, changed too...
For the first time the start of our (your) event will be given from the parish of Montalivet (read a map!).
The start bivouac will be on the dune, facing the ocean!
Distance: 31.1 km, elevation (185 m).
A longer stage than last year (28.3 km) but with less relief.
The finish line will be as in previous years on the Hourtin lake-side, at an area named "La Gracieuse", one of the most beautiful places of the Trans Aq'.
The start will be given on the beach, at 10 o'clock. Impossible to start earlier because of the tides...
A very North-South focused stage, an itinerary with no relief for the first 20 km but not very smooth (alternating between beaches, dunes, more or less sandy tracks and cement paths). The few km run on the beach won't be easy because it'll be mid-tide with an average height coefficient (76).
Those who start out too fast (with a full backpack) will soon calm down. Otherwise it'll be the end of the stage that will calm them: 185 m elevation with a few steep sandy slopes. A superb end of stage run along the Hourtin lakeside, a big classic.
The first runners should finish in 2h40 (less than 12km/h) for this stage, proof that running here isn't that easy with a backpack! And the cut off time at 5 km/h (clause 20 of the Rules) will, therefore, be 6h06.
"La Gracieuse" bivouac
Stage 2
The route for this stage is now practically definitive.
The distance will be about 40 km for 570 m elevation. That is 1.5 km less than last year, but with 100 m more elevation.
After two stages, and at the eve of the "long" stage, you'll have covered 70km (69 km last year).
The start will be given from the "Gracieuse" bivouac, on the Hourtin lake side and the finish will be the same as the last two years, in the middle of the forest, behind the dunes south of Lacanau. In a place called "Le Lion" (because there are still some left there, hi, hi, hi!). In reality there are no lions just frogs that sing all night long, so don't forget the earplugs...
This part of the itinerary is varied, and quite rough, especially the first 15 km, just to keep you awake. I've found a few new tracks that will prevent you running along the exact same itinerary as last year.
This stage will seem long and difficult for you. The first arrivals will do it in a little less than 4 hours, like last year (10 km/h) and the cut-off time (5 km/h) will be 8 hours. Those who over did it the day before or who haven't had enough to drink will be in trouble at the end of this stage. The wisest amongst you, the old foxes, will have taken it easy up to now in view of the next two difficult stages to follow. You have to learn to lose 30 minutes on each of the first two days in order to not lose an hour the following days!
It will be a beautiful stage, right within the Trans Aq' tradition, two shores on two different lakes, deep forests, very little asphalt. You'll only be in contact with civilisation for a very brief moment. You'll hear the ocean, but you won't see it, but you can bathe in it at the arrival, that is if you still have enough energy to climb over the dunes!
The Lacanau Lakeside
Stage 3
If I've not yet talked about stages 1 and 2, it's because I still don't know the starting point for the Trans Aq'.
But I do know the finish line for stage 3! Cap-Ferret, as usual... Who's complaining.
The stage should be 54 or 56km (route not yet definitive) with very little elevation, as always for this stage: 250m + and -.
As explained in a past news article, the tides are not in our favour this year, except for this stage, but only under the condition of being on the beach in the afternoon (low tide at 15h41 if I've not tied myself up in (nautical) knots between GMT, UHT, and summer times...).
And so, because you'll not be on the beaches much this year, your compensation is being on it a lot during the 3rd stage, more than usual. I'll not tell you how many km on the beach to keep you in "suspenders".
This will give a gruelling finish, that's why I'm not going over the 56km mark. Especially as it can be very hot as in 2005 and 2006, 35°C!
In the photos, below (taken this 24th November, Indian summer is still here, but no feathers in sight...) you can see the mounting tide through the dune (first photo) and the slope down to the ocean (2nd photo). The finish line will be somewhere further south, to the left... (opposite is America and to the right Great Britain).
Stage 3 (continued)
There's a clause in the Trans Aq' Rules and Regulations (clause 20) that has never been applied: "During the “long stage” the organisers reserve the right to start the race in two groups. The first fifty in the general ranking will leave 2 hours after the others, in order to keep the runners together along the itinerary (for safety reasons). Real time time-keeping will of course be used."
To resolve the tide problem at the end of this long stage 3, we will apply this clause, with a slight modification: it will be the first 60 in the general ranking after 2 stages who'll start out after the rest of the pack(1) and it will be a 1h30 delay and not 2 hours.
The runners ranking from the 61st to the last position after 2 stages will, therefore, start out from Lacanau at 7h30 in the morning. They'll be on the beach around about 12h30 and 15h30.
The first 60 in the provisional general ranking will start out at 9h (after a lay in) and will reach the beach between 12h45/13h and 14h30.
This will avoid anyone having to battle against a full high-tide and soft sand that will have to be taken.
Remember: low tide at 15h40, coefficient, quite low, 60 (this means that the ocean will not recede a lot but won't come up too high either, unless there's a strong wind...).
There, now you know all.
For those who have understood all, don't panic, it's real time keeping that will be used to update the ranking for this stage (time of arrival minus time of start).
(1)Why 60 runners and not 50? Because its nicer and more credible if the winner of the stage physically arrives at Cap Ferret in first position and not an apparent 5th or 6th position. And after our calculations, the 50th runner in the provisional rankings could arrive in first position at the Cap Ferret finish line...
Stage 4
I'm working on the fourth stage at the moment, it's a difficult one to organise "because the night" (as sang Patty Smith)?
I've given up finishing in Biscarrosse, I don't like pleading with people, and even less the town hall, to give me an answer (two requests have remained without replies, not even a no...).
After the start, I thought I'd get you to the Dune du Pyla by the beach, but because it'll be high tide, it's not possible. Particularly as the beach is completely covered by the ocean for the last 500 meters before the foot of "the dune"... So, a stage entirely forest!
The start will be given from a locality never used for the Trans Aq': the Pyla sur Mer, at the sailing club (opposite the post office). Arcachon will not be passed through, as was the case for the last 3 years.
You'll get onto the "Dune" (km 6.5) a little earlier and so you'll all see the sunset. Because the sun goes to bed! For you, it's not certain...
Because this stage will be 40km long and night will fall after an hour and a half of the run (walk?). And it's always longer at night, and more fun of course. Especially as this year there should be no more wolves "we've" re-introduced bears into this deep (and dark) forest. But good news is that it'll be nearly a full moon, a shame for the wolves, but at least you'll see the bears!
It's the most hilly stage, as usual (700m + & -) and the most savage.
We'll (you'll) use a few tracks never used before and the last 3 km are completely new. The last arrivals will get in at about 5 in the morning...
To resume: start time 21h, 40 km, 700m elevation.
Nota: If you get lost, and you "land" at the entrance to the military base of Cazaux, have a good explanation at hand, because seen the way you're dressed, seen the way you'll look, seen the time of day (night), seen the situation, no look-out will believe you. Especially if you don't speak French. So you'll finish the night behind bars. Hah, Hah!
So, still ready?
Re-nota: We've never lost a runner at night, you'd of heard (smelt?) about it
Stage 4 continued
Right then, yesterday I covered the entire route of stage 4 to check that it was passable (tracks, but also radio reception, GPS, GPRS, etc., for your safety).
I didn't see any bears, but you'll be going through marshes (dry footed) and there'll be a few crocodiles (you do know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? (Gérard is completely right! It's impossible to translate and so silly.... but it made me laugh anyway!)
Exact distance: 39.3km, 693m elevation + & -.
Dune du Pyla at km 6.6, aid stations at km 14.4 and 28.6, if no winter storms turn everything upside down.
This forest has a specific status on the Aquitaine coastline. It's not owned by the state, it's comes under a Napoleonic law leasing it out. It's cut into private plots or is used uniquely by the local residents, grouped together by owners who've set themselves up in syndicates. Fro me it's a bottle of ink.
For you, it means it's the only part of the Trans Aq' route where the forest isn't split up by the orthogonal fire breaks forming 500m sided squares. The tracks are interlaced, sinuous and numerous. Without a compass or ribbon markers you get lost within 5 minutes. It's also not a very sandy forest because not many vehicles drive through it.
Finally, because the forest isn't exploited for its wood, some of the pine trees are 150 years old or more, whereas over the rest of the itinerary they don't go beyond 50 or 60 years.
There, you know practically everything...
A pine tree over 150 years old. The slim model next to it is my faithful friend Didier.
Cleaning operation on the route: Didier is always there when there's dirty work to be done!
Stage 5
After have gone round the Centre d'Essai des Landes (Landes military testing centre) by bus (100 km detour) you'll be at the start of the 5th stage, at Mimizan beach. It will only be a few short hours after the finish of the night run...
It'll be high tide so you won't see the sea. A typical forest run in the Landes forest.
26 km (23 last year) and 334 m positive elevation (292 m last year). A stage very, very hilly with practically no sand, except between the 18th and 20th km (but I'm not saying anything...).
This stage is 90% new, I have to think about our "starred" runners!
You'll have hot showers at the finish line, in the Saint Julien en Born campsite, the first time since Montalivet...
Tomorrow I'll tell you about stage 6.
Small Landes pond (photo taken with a mobile phone, in rain, sorry...)
Landes forest (same comments...)
Stage 6
For this last stage, you'll have to keep running (or walking) for another 26.6 km (27.1 km last year) with 306 m elevation (175 m last year).
The itinerary is new for 80% of it, the "Courant de Contis" (river) crossing will be taken via a bridge never before used by the Trans Aq, a footbridge in the marches (see photo).
This last stage is not to be taken lightly, some tracks are really savage (covered in spiky vegetation) and some difficult passages should calm those who feel like they're flying towards the final finish line.
This stage will still, however, be quicker, because backpacks will be practically empty, the itinerary practically sand-free, except at the end on the beach. High tide, but very weak coefficient.
The final finish line is at Saint Girons beach, the same as last year, I sincerely hope that you will be many to receive your stars (and medals)...
In total the 2010 Trans Aq' will cover 217 km (216 km the last two years) but a few minor changes are still to be made on the first two stages. I'll tell you about stage 1 changes tomorrow.
Footbridge over the "Courant de Conti" (it'll be greener in the summer!)
Will you be a starter?
To finish the Trans Aq', you have to first be a starter!
Each year, we are sorry to receive roughly 15% withdrawals. Yes, registered runners who regretfully announce, between February and March that they won't be at the start line...
This represents a good 20 runners... Usually for very good reasons.
Primarily because of injury: a chronic tendonitis that won't heal, or that comes to life because of too sudden, too intense training programmes, a difficult trail run or a race run too close to the Trans Aq' dates. Sometimes a tendonitis provoked by one of these same reasons...
Then the more serious reasons: broken limbs, tax controls, unemployment, divorce...
Some even forget to train during the winter and then realise that it's too late, the injury then becomes "diplomatic". Without talking about those who get cold feet... yes, yes I know them!
Before withdrawing, ask yourself the question: If it was the Olympic games, would I withdraw? Or would I participate anyway, so as not to miss it? Isn't the Trans Aq' a wonderful objective, something not to be missed?
So will you be a starter? Be careful then!
Chinese proverb: "Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still".
Medical records
we sent you a medical file via e-mail. If you haven't received it, please let us know.
This file is to be completed and returned to us before the 1st of May.
Thanks
The Trans Aq' Story: TA 2008
169 competitors were at the start line of this 4th edition, a new record. Nearly a third of the pack didn't speak French and four continents were represented.
261 km and 2300 m elevation on offer. But the biggest worry was the weather. The forecast was very pessimistic, we were going straight towards a "wet" edition.
A heavy shower drowned the bivouac on the Saturday before the race start, just to give us a taste of what was forecast to follow. In reality, a part from a few drops at the start and a small shower that caught the back of the pack on the first day, the Trans Aq managed to dodge the rain. A miracle.
So this year, again, we avoided a heat wave and very dry, soft sand. The average speeds of the winners was, therefore, as high as in 2007 (11 km/h) and the abandons rate as low (8%).
First stage:
30 km hilly run on the menu (500 m elevation between the 10th and 28th kilometre) and the rain threatened. The first kilometres were run on the beach in the spray and mist. The wind-breakers were out. But in the forest it was warm and humid, sweat was running! A good opportunity for orienteering presented itself (allowed in 2008), and then another and Dominique Sikora*** in great form turned the heads of the leaders and was a menace to them right up to the finish line. Walter Jeannin beat Thierry Arnier by only 4 seconds and Jérôme Bézériat by 17 seconds. No one knew at the time, but it was at this moment that the final victory was played...
Edith doyen ran a lone race and won it by 18 minutes over the Austrian Irina Guarghias who was here to celebrate her 40th birthday.
The "Cutiots", led by Thierry Arnier*, Siko*** and Laurent Pujol* also took the team lead (3 minutes).
A rain shower caught the rear guard at the end of the stage. No abandons this day but 4 competitors will be withdrawn, they got in more than an hour later than the others and particularly more than 30 minutes after the cut off time.
A heavy shower hit the camp just at the end of the stage and everyone took shelter in their tents...
Second stage:
A classic now between the "Gracieuse" and the "Lion" (Lacanau) but each year with a few variations. 34 km and 400 m elevation within the first 10 km.
The end of the stage was run on the beach, with a good dune to climb up and then down again just at the finish line. Walter Jeannin came in ahead again, but this time with Jérôme Béréziat. They have only 19 seconds advance on Manuel Berthelot.
Edith Doyen has, this time, an 8 minute advance on Irina, but the difference has been made.
The Team Sohbi Rennes from Brittany left the Cutiots 12 minutes behind and the fight is going to be interesting. The victories by different age groups is very competitive and each day sees a new victor. Still no rain on this stage, not too hot, not too cold, practically a holiday for the pack, the proof being no abandons for this day. A big "first" for a second stage!
Third stage:
58 km for this stage, the last 12 km on the beach and rain threatening all day. Heavy storms fell only a few kilometres away, but not a drop over the race, the miracle continues.
Walter Jeannin and Jérôme Béréziat decided to stay together, and this right up to Vieux Boucau. Dominique Sikora*** keeps his form and finishes third for this stage.
Edith Doyen opens up a 36 minute difference between her and Carole Diest. For the teams it's a chassé-croisé, the Cutiots gain 20 minutes over the Bretons from Rennes and take a lead of 9 minutes.
Only one abandon on this 58 km stage, it's very surprising!
The Cap-Ferret bivouac will be spared from the bad weather, no wind, no rain, whereas in Arcachon (2 km away) there is flooding... A runner found some chanterelle mushrooms on the route, another collected some shellfish, that's self-sufficiency! To put it briefly, the "holidays" continue, but the pack is beginning to tire!
Fourth stage:
No one's laughing, 37 km by night, it's not easy. Especially with 700 km elevation, a real slide between the ferns. The Dune du Pyla passage will be less fiery than usual (see photos on the web page photos 2008) but still as emotional...
The "Dupont" Jeannin-Béréziat have become inseparable and win again, this time in front of Xavier Mézière by 1 minute. Edith keeps ahead on this stage and Irina finishes 12 minutes behind her. The Cutiots (there are 5 members) add 10 minutes to their advance on the Bretons from Rennes who are only 3 and so have no room for error, because it the time of the 3rd member that counts. 4 runners will abandon during this stage, proof that it's not easy to run 37 km at night following a stage of 58 km. The British runner Mark Plant, suffering from hypothermia at the end of the Dune du Pyla (fresh winds after the humidity of the forest) will be withdrawn by the medics.
Fifth stage:
36 km and 377 m elevation after 2 hours of sleeping rough. The threatened rain moves on and after a surprising morning fog, temperatures mount to 27°C.
It's a difficult stage, 100% forest and finishes with never-ending roller coasters. The finish line seems always to be behind the next hill, but no...
Walter and Jérôme have signed a pact of non aggression and finish together. They would like to be ranked ex-aequo at Vieux Boucau, but the 17 seconds that separate them since day one are still there!
Manuel Berthelot finishes 4 minutes later and Siko*** keeps a hold on the podium that is looming ahead!
Edith Doyen has 8 minutes advance on Carole Diest who is slowly nibbling away the distance that separates her from Irina Guarghias and is only 6 minutes away.
The Bretons go for it and take the lead, because the 3rd Cutiot finishes at 27 minutes! Unless there's a miracle, the game is over!
Another three painful abandons, the South African Dirk Staal, our senior runner René Dauteribes* and the Irish runner Mc Cormick victim of sever hypoglycaemia. This fifth stage is often fatal for the runners that don't eat at the end of the night run or who are injured.
Sixth stage:
Just a formality, or nearly! 20 km with 5 km roller coasters and 15 km on the beach, to finish. No one ever abandons the last stage... They'll be 155 at the final finish line.
Manuel Berthelot has wings and will take his first victory ahead of our two hand in hand companions. Walter Jeannin* has won... Siko**** finishes the race with no faults and takes the podium.
Edith Doyen* wins her sixth consecutive stage, something that no one has ever accomplished on the Trans Aq' with the exception of Lucile Belotti* in 2005. On the other hand, Carole Diest* catches up 11 minutes on Irina* and takes second place for only a 5 minute difference!
The Bretons from Rennes don't lose their luck and triumph at Vieux Boucau. (PS, they're back in 2010! - Xavier Mézière*, Manuel Berthelot*, Brice Mathis*).
Jérôme Béréziat* finishes second, but first under 40's age group, because Walter is V1 (under 50's).
Under 60's, a long battle between Joël Buchot and Jean-Marie Bahougne**** who finish in that order. Under 70's Francis Delaby*** battled with Bernard Petit* who pinched 2 stages from him!
Carole Diest is first V1 under 50's, Christine Dadoun wins the under 60's with 3 stage victories and Hélène Prepin V3 under 70's wins with 6 victories.
The prize giving takes place on the beach, very happy atmosphere and relaxed as always. And the rain left us alone right up to the end!
Stage victories:
Walter Jeannin* 5 of which 4 ex æquo
Jérôme Béréziat* 4 ex æquo
Manuel Berthelot* 1
Edith Doyen* 6
Stage victories by age category
Men's Senior (under 40's):
Jérôme Béréziat* 5
Manuel Berthelot* 1
V1 (Men under 50's)
Walter Jeannin* 6
V2 (Men under 60's)
Joël Buchot* 4
Jean-Marie Bahougne**** 2 ( 11 in total : 5 for V1 in 2005 and 4 for V2 in 2007)
V3 (Men under 70's)
Francis Delaby*** 4
Bernard Petit* 2
Senior ladies (under 40's)
Edith Doyen* 6
V1 (Ladies under 50's):
Carole Diest* 3
Irina Guarghias* 3
V2 (Ladies under 60's)
Christine Dadoun* 3
Linda Wilson* 3
V3 (Ladies under 70's)
Hélène Prépin** 6
The Trans Aq' Story: TA 2007
Here's the third instalment of the Trans Aq' Story.
For this third edition, the number of competitors was a little lower. But the pack was still very cosmopolitan and five continents were represented.
223 km and 2550 m elevation were awaiting the competitors. It's the weather that can make this event difficult and this year saw clement weather, thankfully! No really high temperatures, and if you check out the photos (web page photos 2007) you'll see the pack always running in maritime mists, especially the first day. And the ground conditions were, therefore, less dry, the sand less deep. Resulting in less abandons for the history of the Trans Aq' ( 7% instead of the 20% the previous years). The average speed was higher, 11 km/h for the leaders instead of the less than 10 km/h in 2005 and 2006...
First stage: Start line at Pin Sec, for the first time. 27.7 km very hilly and winding with a few possibilities for orientation. Benoît Laval* confided to me that not being in the best of form and as the opposition was of a very high level he decided give out some "disinformation". That is taking some orienteering short-cuts (still authorised in 2007) even where it wasn't necessary. Nervous, his adversaries didn't want to risk outdistancing him, afraid that he would suddenly turn up in front of them a little further on... From the first day, he successfully managed to eliminate in this way 2 rivals, only Jacques David (first ex æquo) and Laurent Martin* ranking only a few seconds behind were able to keep up the pace for "the win". On the ladies side Alexandra Rousset* went at it alone at the head of the race... the same for Anne Wade V1 (under 50's age group), Gislaine Ballans V2 (under 60's). To state it simply, except for the absolute victory, and the team rankings, all the other age category rankings were little battled for. It's not the most important part of the Trans Aq', because all finishers "are winners"...
Second stage: After a bivouac, for the first time along the Hourtin lakeside, in the magical place called la Gracieuse, the pack set out for the second stage, the longest in the history of the Trans Aq': 44 km to reach Lacanau, with quite a bit of relief, 630 m. With the idea of taking it easy in view of the next day's "long" stage! Benoît Laval* was still playing cat and mouse with his rivals: Laurent Martin* got ahead at the end of the stage but Benoît* and Jacques suddenly appeared in front of him within view of the finish line. The Montrail team picked up 6 of the 7 minutes that they lost to "Lous Cutiots" the previous day!
At the back of the pack, the "groupetto", were going well and thanks to the weather conditions and a good general running level, practically everyone finished well within the cut-off times.
Third stage: It's d-day for the "win"... 54 km programmed and quite a bit of sand, even if it is a bit more firm than usual. Benoît Laval* tried some orienteering, got lost leaving his rivals in the lead, but he didn't know this... Then, like a bat out of hell he managed to catch them up at 17 km from the finish line, in the "roller coasters" that became famous during this stage. He's worn out but hides it well and starts his attack, catching up 1 minute from Jacques David and Christophe Martin. This minute he'll keep right up to the finish. Laurent Martin* was having an "off" day and lost nearly 30 minutes.
It the "windshield wiper" day (knee tendon injury) and many runners are badly affected by this injury that is frequent on the Trans Aq' (because of the sand). Many will, however, get to Vieux Boucau, walking, limping, suffering... Amongst them, Amaury Delerue, and it was his birthday (and a party!) today! He'd given us for safe keeping a couple of dozen bottles of Champagne, kept cool in the caterers lorry. He generously offered the Champagne to all the competitors at the Cap Ferret bivouac. The Japanese runner Mie Minezawa couldn't believe her eyes when she arrived, exhausted, the last one in but within the time barrier: Amaury was waiting at the finish line with a glass!
Fourth stage: the weather was getting better each day and it was under a super sunset that the pack set off, not from the top of the Dune as in the two previous years, but from the Mouleau (Arcachon). 33.7 km and 607 m of elevation, it will be a difficult stage, at night. Especially this particular night, an idiot took down all the ribbon markers over 2 km of the itinerary, in the middle of an inextricable forest, at midnight! A moment of panic in the pack but the organisation managed to re-ribbon on the spot and so only about 30 competitors suffered. 21 runners re-grouped and met up with the finish line using their compasses, Siko** was a member of this party, compass in hand. A fixed time was given to these runners.
In the lead, Benoît doesn't need any ribboning, the road book is enough and he'll take his rivals with him. This time Laurent Martin* stays with him right to the end and gains his first stage victory. Jacques David lost 4 small minutes that will cost him a lot, because Benoît gets ahead little by little... Ivan Bertram*, 4 stars today, wins his first stage as V2 (under 60's age group). By team, it's the "Groupe Carrefour" that wins, but status quo in the general rankings.
Still very few abandons, one a day on average.
Fifth stage: the early morning mist is, after a very short, cool night! But the heat picks up fast (27°C in the afternoon) this will be a difficult day: 35 km and 304 m elevation for this fifth day.
Benoît Laval* now controls his only rival, Jacques David and lets Christophe Martin take off, each day gaining in form. He doesn't yet know that he'll be the 2008 eye opener for 24 hours racing, at national and world-wide levels...
Pierre Mialock wins his first stage victory for the under 60's age group (V2).
There will be 3 abandons and I thought for a moment that there would be more. Jean-Christophe Louis will be saved in the nick of time by a coca-cola that fell from the sky at the right moment... Dominique Mahot, (3 stars today) keeps an eye on his groupetto fold of sheep and brings in Mie Minezawa. René Dauteribes, our favourite oldest runner is hit by lumbago or some other sort of monster and finishes the stage bent in two.
Sixth stage: 30 km planned but the itinerary will be modified at the last moment and shortened to 28 km, because a track has been badly damaged by a near-by equestrian centre. So the final route ends up looking much like last year's, except that the last few kilometres on the beach are run at high tide and so in soft sand. The sun gets hotter each day, it's time that we reach Vieux Boucau! Christophe Martin still has his wings and wins this stage with a large advance on his namesake, Laurent Martin* who has been the most competitive competitor and the worst honoured: he led the 6 stages and only wins one! A group of competitors were fined by the race director, uncompromising as usual. It does nothing to shake up the general rankings but it does give a few surprises in the stage rankings: Nathalie Houriez wins the stage for the ladies, with Susan Serres* V1 and Sylvie Michon V2.
René Dauteribes at the height of his 68 years was living a nightmare at the back of the pack. Bent in half, he'll get to the end and receive a very moving tribute: all the competitors and helpers lined up in a guard of honour at the finish line.
Benoît Laval** is the big winner, Alexandra Rousset** the big winner for the ladies of this 2007 TA.
But not only them: for the ladies V1 (under 50's age group) it's Anne Wade*, Gislaine Ballans* for V2 and for the men it's Jacques David* for V1, Jean-Marie Bahougne*** for V2 (3 stars and 9 stage victories for his age group), and Michel Vassalière* for V3. By teams, Lous Cutiots got the better of the Team Montrail. Team members: D. Sikora***, L. Pujol*, C. Rozelier*, F. Nguyen*, and Nathalie Jourdan*.
During the prize giving ceremony on the beach, a storm approached and finished by bursting... The Trans Aq' "Continental Circus" managed to take refuge, just in time, in the Vieux Boucau gymnasium and the gala party lost nothing in the transfer: wild dancing right up to midnight; blisters and injuries mysteriously vanishing!
Stage Victories:
Benoît Laval** 4 of which two ex æquo (and 3 in 2006)
Christophe Martin* 2 victories
Jacques David* 2 ex æquo victories
Laurent Martin** 1 ex æquo victory
Alexandra Rousset** 5 victories (+ 1 in 2006)
Nathalie Houriez* 1 victory
Stage Victories by age category:
Men's Senior (under 40's):
Benoît Laval** 4 (+ 3 in 2006)
Christophe Martin* 2
V1M (Men under 50's):
Jacques David* 4
Laurent Martin** 2
V2M (Men under 60's):
Jean-Marie Bahougne*** 4 (and 5 V1M in 2005)
V3M (Men under 70's):
Michel Vassalière* 5
Alain Abdelmalek** 1 (+ 2 in 2006)
Sénior Ladies (under 40's)
Alexandra Rousset** 5 (+ 1 in 2006)
V1 F (Ladies under 50's):
Anne Wade* 4
Sylvie Apruzzese* 1
Susan Serres** 1
V2F (Ladies under 60's):
Gislaine Ballans* 5
Sylvie Michon* 1
The Trans Aq' Story: TA 2006
Here's the second instalment of the Trans Aq' Story.
For this second edition, there was an impressive increase in the number of participants: 152 (of which 22 ladies), from 12 countries and 3 continents! The Trans Aq' reputation had already crossed oceans! In total 31 competitors were not French and the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the bivouac was already being felt.
229 km programmed, 2560 m elevation.
The Romaine Emil Arseniu (V3) came from Bucharest by train, and then from Bordeaux on his bike via the Dune de Pyla, then boat, then bike again from Cap Ferret to Pin Sec, with all his luggage. Sleeping under the stars, during 5 nights before the race, asking us for nothing: self sufficiency (self DIY?) had already started for him! Too many runners mistake us for a travel agency and need us to care for them right up to the start...
This year again, the anti cyclone was present: 4°C the night before the start and more than 30°C during the stage!
The first stage left from Soulac and went to Pin Sec. 40 km very varied with passages through ferns and damp ground over the Médoc marshes. Only the last part was sandy. One abandon (and one non-starter the following day), but this stage marked the bodies.
Benoît Laval launched a 6-day battle with Régis Coumenges and Thierry Dehais. At the end of the stage he used the only possibility for orienteering (authorised in 2006) to lose the second position runner (Régis) who thought he was the winner and couldn't believe his eyes when he saw (cheeky) Benôit waiting for him at the finish line! Sophie Satrin laid the first stone for her future victory in the ladies rankings.
The second stage resembled that of 2005, 31 km very hilly, rough mono-track paths along the Hourtin lakeside. Superb, but just 31 km to Carcans beach. The heat wave has settled in and a competitor will need a perfusion during this stage. The Hattab sisters, from Jordan, are really not at home in the forest. With MP3 in their ears, they didn't hear the other racers yelling at them when they went the wrong way... they'll be lost for half an hour. We found them, walking in the wrong direction, full North!
The 3 leaders decide to stall for a while and finish the stage together... Alexandra Rousset takes advantage of Sophie Satrin's only mistake to win her first stage victory (but not the last). The Romaine, Emil Arseniu takes his first and only stage victory, category V3.
Saddened by the lack of responsibility of certain participants, stressed by the risks that were to be taken by the organisation the following day on a stage twice as long and worried because of the announced heat wave, Gérard (your servant) gave a briefing that was one to be remembered...
The program of the 3rd stage was 68 km and the heat wave (37°C). The toilets were frequently used this morning, I wonder why! A highly supervised stage by the race director and the medical team: the forest is so inextricable!
Quickly, at the back of the pack, things were looking bad: 3 non-starters, 10 abandons, 2 runners pulled out of the race by the director or the medics, perfusions everywhere... The runners at the back are still at the 25th km and I calculated that the leaders would arrive at the last control post at the 58th km! The last 10 km are very difficult (down onto the beach of Cap Ferret only at 1 km from the finish line). I have to take a decision, right and rapid, before an accident happens. I thought about stopping the race at the 58th km. Nothing much to make me hesitate because 5 radio messages announced runners dropping like flies all over the place. But how to manage the time-keeping ? How to get 136 competitors to the finish line? The helpers at the control post (François and Françoise Martin) are capable (because strict) of writing down the times by hand. I decided to stop the stage. We'll work out the rest somehow, safety first! By radio I informed them of my decision. François then tells me that Benoît Laval and Thierry had already been through the CP 6 minutes ago, well ahead at the 58th km... They were sorting themselves out for the Trans Aq' final finish victory! So I decided to let them continue but to stop the other runners at the 58th km anyway. I added, to all runners times, a basic time rate equal to the second leaders time over the last 10 km. The radio message goes through to the 45th km so as to warn everyone when they get there. An announcement met with relief by everyone. Many told me that they would have abandoned at the 45th or 58th km if I hadn't taken this measure...
But amongst the leaders, "Titi" Dehais was weakening and finished with difficulty. That evening 134 competitors congratulate themselves on my decision, except Thierry who was disadvantaged by this decision because of the exhaustion caused by the extra 10km...
Benoît Laval, therefore had an option on victory because Thierry turned up 21 minutes later at Cap Ferret.
Sophie Satrin also opened a distance of 40 minutes (!) between herself and her runner up, Monique Gauthier, V2 and ex-100 km French Champion.
The fourth stage, a 30 km night run with the start line on the top of the Dune du Pyla looked nothing like the previous year's itinerary. Little sand, lots of relief and ferns, ferns, ferns, a 25 km run between 2 walls of ferns taller than the runners! Benoît Laval having taken control of the general rankings lets go the victory for this stage: Régis Coumenges takes therefore his second stage victory. Sophie Satrin nails it, leaving Alexandra Rousset 23 minutes behind her! At the back, the race director has to supervise Emil Arseniu who's wearing really bad glasses dating back to the soviet era! At each crossroads, he takes the bad choice and it's lucky for him that he arrived at the finish line instead of the military base of Cazeaux! Speaking only Rumanian or Russian, it's a good bet that he wouldn't have finished the night under the stars...
Only two abandons this night and one non-starter, the V3 multiple stage winner (6 victories up to now) Holger Finkernagel*.
The 5th stage, was long after a near sleepless night: 35 km! Lots of relief and the hot sun still very present... Many weaknesses but only 3 abandons. The itinerary was difficult, particularly the famous mono-track path at the end of the ininerary, hilly with scary percentages. Everyone remembers them...
Benoît Laval continues to control the race and this time, it's the Swiss runner Pascal Lauber who benefits by taking the victory of this stage. Sophie Satrin controls it too.
The surprise by the chief was waiting for the 129 survivors: a canned drink, fruit, bread and cheese! Long live self-sufficiency!
The sixth stage was harder than the previous year: still a long end of stage run on the beach (11 km), but a hilly 14 km beforehand with a cool passage along the "riverside", through the Courant d'Huchet reserve. No abandons the 6th day, as always on the Trans Aq'.
With victory in his pocket, Benoît Laval lets Sylvain Delépine forge ahead (the "Big, Giant Orange") but keeps a control on Régis Coumenges now his only rival. The junior (under 30 age category) Steve Louraichi is the day's surprise: after holding back for 5 days, he lets everything go and finishes 6th for this stage!
Benoît Laval*, therefore takes the victory ahead of Régis Coumenges* and Pascal Lauber* and the "unhappy" Thierry Dehais* who comforts himself with his V1 victory.
David Jelly** takes the V2 victory and Alain Abdelmalet* the V3.
Sophie Satrin* is first lady with nearly 2 hours advance on Alexandra Rousset*.
Christine Delangle** takes the V1 victory, Monique Gauthier V2 and Ella Sarfati-Botten* the V3.
Team winners are the British runners from Ripon after a long struggle against the "Cutiots". The members of the winning team: Jelley**, Chapman*, Wright*, Wilson*, Wallace*.
Emil Arseniu* went (by train) to visit Paris, then Paris-Bucharest by bike... of course!
Veteran 1 (under 50's): Thiery Dehais* 3
Philippe Evalet** 1
Jacques Rouhier* 1
Bernard Constant*1
Veteran 2 (under 60's) David Jelley**, 5 victories this year and 1 V1 victory in 2005
Patrick Braud* 1
Veteran 3 (under 70's) Alain Abdelmalek* 2
Peter Whewell* 1
Emil Arseniu* 1
Holger Finkernagel* 1 this year and 5 in 2005
See the photos, menu "Photos / 2006".
The Trans Aq Story: TA 2005
I'm proposing a summary of the 5 first Trans Aq's; today is the first episode in the series, The Trans Aq' 2005.
62 participants "dared" to line up on the start of this new adventure, of which 8 ladies, 5 Germans, 3 Spanish and one British runner.
The total distance was 218km with an elevation of 2150m.
But this for year, just like the one that followed, it was the weather that hardened the race! The night before the race started was really freezing (6°C) and I know some that hardly slept, runners and helpers alike (true Caroline!).
With the exception of the night run, it was hot, 35/37°C practically every day. Yes we can call it a heat wave.
This year, the start was given "right at the top" of the Gironde Estuary at "la Pointe de Grave". If the weather hardened the race, it was also because the heat left the sand very dry and soft. As said Anke Molkenthin*, "it's hard because it's soft...". And then the last element that probably made this Trans Aq' the most difficult, was the length of the first stage: 48 km. This stage created the most damage, in the bodies but also in the minds of many runners. The first night, all of them were asking what exactly they'd got themselves into. A wave of "fear" was going through the bivouac.
This stage was dominated for the men by the flying ahead of Brahim Akhdar who had more than a 15 minutes advance before getting lost, and then re-finding the route but at 2.5 km from the control point. He turned back and ran past the second positioned runner; in spite of the extra 5 km (at least) he finished 2nd for this stage, 7 minutes behind the winner, Stephan Vernay*.
For the ladies, Lucile Belotti* and Marie-Anne Soulier* ran the race "pacing each other" and finished together.
The second stage was short but good (31 km) with plenty of relief and mono-trace paths. Brahim stayed with Stéphan* so as not to get lost, but, finding the pace too slow he flew off at the half way mark and won with an advance of 12'41, the second biggest difference in the history of the Trans Aq' and only over 15 km... Lucile Belotti* and Marie-Anne Soulier* still paced each other and finished again together.
In two stages more than 10% of the pack went home...
The third stage, 61 km with extremely hot weather continuing to decimate the pack.
The hardest was over but tiredness and injuries accumulated over the past 3 days continued to skim off the pack more and more each day.
Brahim Akhdar* flew off immediately. With a seriously injured knee (contracted before the first stage), he decided to gain as much advance as possible, and then manage this advance to win, Inch' Allah! Unfortunately his advance suddenly melted away and Stéphan Vernay* and Thierry Burgaud* joined him around the 30 km mark before he abandoned, the pain was too great. Stéphan and Thierry got to Cap Ferret without gaining any ground, one or the other. But Lucile Belotti* played the "go for it all" and came in well ahead of Marie-Anne Soulier*.
The 4th stage, at night, with a start line on the top of the Dune du Pyla was the shortest night run in Trans Aq' history (30 km) but not less stressful for the organisation, with, amongst others, the German Manfred Fellner* victim of a "brain go-slow" who forgot to leave the beach and ran about 10 km before waking up and turning around, with 20 km extra to his counter. The sun was nearly up by the time he got to Biscarrosse but he was allowed to continue the event seeing as how he'd finished 50 km instead of 30, without ever failing and without getting lost in the forest despite the light sticks being nearly out.
Stéphan Verney* was going for a third stage victory (very important for the general ranking) 2 minutes only ahead of T. Burgaud* and Pascal Martin* (future winner of the "Intégral de Riquet 2009!) but 20 minutes ahead of the 4th runner.
Stage 5 was a typical "roller coaster" stage, with a ford to cross (at Contis beach). Thierry Burgaud* dared a bit of orienteering (authorised at the time) by reaching the beach in front of his adversaries and won, to his great surprise and especially his great joy.
Lucile Belotti* won a fourth stage.
Stage 6, very short (17 km) was not the easiest because it was still very hot, the runners were "cooked" and this stage was run entirely on the beach, with another ford to cross at Moliets before arriving at Vieux Boucau.
The victor, Stéphan Verney* put a point of honour on winning the pompom (a private joke) for the last day too, and with little distance ahead of T. Burgaud* very combative. The same for Lucile Belotti* who won the general ranking and the last stage. A stage marked by this photo of Marie-Anne Soulier* crossing the ford on the shoulders of her companion! She won the V1 category for this Trans Aq'. Jean-Marie Bahougne**** won the V1 category, René Heintz* V2 and Holger Finkernagel* V3.
For the teams, a complete feminine team (Interflora) led during 5 days (Christine Delangle**, Marine Volay*, and Isabelle Grégoire*) before being pipped at the post by the Spanish male team, Flower Power (A.Abad Albello- S.Diez san José- JA Oliviera Rodriguez).
Yes, yes, Dominique Sikora*****, 5 stars today, was there for his first star!
Stage victories:
Stephan Vernay* (Senior) 4 victories, of which 2 ex æquo.
Thierry Burgaud* (Senior) 2 victories, of which 1 ex æquo.
Lucile Belotti* (Senior) 6 victories, of which 2 ex æquo.
Marie-Anne Soulier* (V1) 2 victories ex-aequo.
Stage victories by age category:
Male Seniors (see above)
Male V1 Jean-Marie Bahougne* 5 victories V1
David Jelley* 1 victory V1
Male V2 René Heintz* 4 victories V2
Patrick Coste* 1 victory V2
Daniel Friedmann* 1 victory V2
You can see the Trans Aq' 2005 photos in our archives (menu to the left of the screen – Photos – Trans Aq' 2005)
The Trans Aq' is tiring for the runners but for the organisers too, the proof, Gérard at Vieux Boucau for the final finish of the first Trans Aq':
Comprehensive Method
The frequentation of our website has progressed regularly over the last 5 years. You're a little more than 200 different visitors each day, and 1900 different visitors each month. Equally increasing for the overseas visitors.
The most read pages are on the forum, the registrations and the news, in this order.
The less read pages are those of the Rules and Regulations and the FAQ...
This probably has a link with the fact that we receive each day at least 15 questions (telephone or email) where the answer can be found in the less read pages...
We're pointing at no one in particular, but perhaps you recognise yourselves?
It's not a problem at this time of the year, but from April/March, we'll not answer, because we won't have enough time.
Just for the story, last year a participant arrived at the start line without knowing that the race was under alimentary self-sufficiency...
Ah! The comprehensive reading method wrecks havoc!
Backpack weights
A few statistics, the same as every year.
Women:
Lightest backpack: 3.8kg (Chrystel Montant)
Average backpack weights: 5.321kg
Average weight of backpacks for those who abandoned: 6.34kg
Backpack weights of the first three winners: 4.6kg, 3.9kg, 6.26kg (!)
Average “podium” backpack weights: 4.92kg the highest average weight in the history of the Trans Aq’
Men:
Lightest backpack: 3.8kg (Stéphane Bordelais)
Average backpack weights: 5.412kg
Average weight of backpacks for those who abandoned: 6.248kg
Backpack weights of the first three winners: 5.96kg (!!), 3.9kg, 5.28kg
Average “podium” backpack weights: 5.3kg the highest weight in the history of the Trans Aq’
Resin pot mines
Yesterday evening, I went boar hunting… yes, yes, don't laugh!
Each year, it's the same thing! Getafix the druid is afraid of not having enough mistletoe for his magic potion, and I'm afraid that I'll not have enough resin pots* to offer you!
It's an item that is becoming more and more rare. When a whole pot is found, it's already a little miracle. Abandoned for 40 years or more, very few survive the plundering by tourists and the local population.
All that are left are crushed by the forestry machines.
All? Non! Some determined pots are buried under the moss resisting the invader. Or they're hidden in remote zones far from townies and roman patrols.
So each year, i'm off to boar hunt! Slip of the tongue? No, no! There is a link with the boar! The boar searches for roots and digs up the moss.
To go pot hunting you need a good 4x4, that goes everywhere (not the ones that look good in town), you have to go into deep forest at the time of day when the sun is low and lights up the clearings, you need a tube of insect repellent against flat flies**, and you have to have talent. Yes, talent. Little by little I've come to understand where the next ones may be found: on steep slopes, to the east of dunes in the form of burs. Where the machines can't go, where patrolmen are too lazy to go. It's there that sometimes it's possible to find 20 or 30 pots scattered over a hectare of land, those that have been uncovered by the snout of a boar. But mostly we go home empty handed.
At a rhythm like this, it's going to take a whole year to find the 200 that look like being necessary!
But the miracle of talent happens sometimes: the boar have uncovered a stock of pots, placed here 40 or 50 years ago by a far-sighted resin collector. Slotted together, one inside the other.
So, last night I went boar hunting and it was my lucky day: 215 pots and I couldn't take them all (the Lada 4x4 risked being overloaded!)
3 "mines" unearthed within 20 m of each other and an "open-air mine", lit up by a ray of sunshine...
Judge for yourselves!
*Resin pot (cutiot): Each finisher of the Trans Aq' receives one. It's an earthenware pot, remnant of an activity that died out 40 years ago. The pots were used to collect resin that ran from cuts on the trunks of pine trees. Once transformed this resin becomes turpentine or colophony. Today, it costs less to buy these products from China...
**Flat flies: "horse fly", an insect that has infested our region over the last 15 years and lives on the blood of wild game and anything that runs and sweats in the forest.
Enough of complainers! Too expensive, not enough shuttles, etc. !
So, it’s decided, in 2010 the price goes from 680 to 2700 Euros. For this price, you’ll get a bonus: a week, full board in a hotel at Ouarzazate, flight included, trek on camelback in the desert included. Yes, a week of racing in Aquitaine + a week of holidays!
Shuttles included
And we’ll still make a profit.
Too expensive the Trans Aq’? Let me laugh...
Dédé
An anecdote, that only 2 or 3 are aware of:
It’s 2006, the second Trans Aq’, during the night run. Dédé is usually the volunteer that opens the race. But for the night run, I gave him the mission of “marking up” the most complicated part of the itinerary, the most hilly.
He knows the quirks of the La Teste forest like the back of his hand. But, careful and responsible, he decides to take a “guide” to help him through the darkness, just in case... On the map that I give him, I’ve underlined in red the tracks that are too sandy, where he must not adventure with his Chevrolet, under threat of becoming bogged down. His guide, an agent of the local NFO, Jean-François Deutch, who will later become one of the pillars of the organisation. Being short of time, the running pack is only 30 minutes behind him, he decides to take a short cut. Underlined in red on the map. The Chevrolet gets bogged down. And it will be stuck there until the following day.
No radio or telephone network in this zone.
Dédé understands the danger for the race and obviously for the runners. He must place a maximum of markers, on foot. He hopes that on my side, not seeing him get to the end of his task within the time limits (I’m covering the following zone), I’ll understand that I have to take his place...
With Jean, they take the ribbon, but also the beacon that they must place at “Curepipe” and start out on foot, running. He who didn’t like running! In the sand, and in the dark.
Effectively, 15 minutes later, my conscience gets the better of me and I check out the track where he should have already been along. Nothing. No markers.
I guess the story and start marking up as best I can 3km of tracks, just 5 minutes ahead of the running pack, praying that Dédé has had the idea of going ahead on foot.
Arriving at Curepipe he discovers that he’s lost the clip for the beacon... he decides to stay there and counts on my trust and understanding of what has happened. He’ll spend 3 hours, sitting in the dark with Jean, at the beacon spot. To reassure the runners, he ticks their cards using an indelible ink pen. And informs them that there are no tape markers for the next km. Because of his knowledge of the zone, he understands that I won’t have had time to cover this part of the track, and it being a straight line it is easy for the runners to follow. He understands that I’ll consecrate my time to the following km.
Yes, that night, the symbiosis between our ways of thinking, but more the composure, the sense of responsibility and the analytic qualities of Dédé, saved the night run.
In the early morning, Jean with a shovel, Dédé directing the manoeuvres.
Operation nearly over
Au petit matin, Jean à la pelle, Dédé dirige la manoeuvre. Opération presque terminée.
André Broutouly
Faithful volunteer from the first Trans Aq’, André Broutouly (Dédé) has been taken from us, victim of an heart attack.
You know that we don’t go in for “sentimentality” but by force we must say that we are deeply affected by this drama. Next June it will be hard not seeing him behind the wheel of his Land Rover, very difficult not to hear his voice over the radio, his laughter at the bivouac...
His funeral was held yesterday morning at the Notre Dame des Passes church in Mouleau (Arcachon).
Our heart-felt condolences go to his family and friends.
Running for women
Cécile Bertin is the founder and presenter of a different type of website. It’s dedicated to running for women.
Her declared objectives are:
-Give women the incentive to launch themselves into this sport that is more complete than thought.
-Give women the incentive to launch themselves into sports projects of which they dream, without having the courage to do it, like running their first marathon
-Bring answers to their questions that they sometimes judge as idiotic and that they don’t dare ask anyone…
-Create a community united by the same way of approaching running: pleasure before all!
“My Trans Aq’ gift, the T-shirt has been delivered. I wear it day and night. Is this normal? The wait until June is going to be a long one…”
Lionel Nédélec, future Trans Aquitainian
Stars
You know that we’re in the habit of sticking one or more stars to competitors names when they’ve finished one or more Trans Aq’ (and an ‘apostrophe’ for those who’ve finished a Cannonball).
On the left-hand side of this page under its name “Stars” is our new web page, we’ve published the full list of finishers, but also the non-finishers.
Please let us know if you find any mistakes.
Number of Abandons
2008: 168 starters, 10 abandons = 5.91%
Because of the weather, let’s say, clement, the rate of abandons was small this year. Note that the runners eliminated the first day are not included in these ratings, which would take them up to 8.28%
2007: 128 starters, 8 abandons = 6.25%
With weather showing no rain and no big heat, the rate of abandons was also small (and no runners were eliminated).
2006: 152 starters, 23 abandons = 15.13%
Heat wave (+35°C in the shade at some moments). Many health failures. One eliminated.
2005: 62 starters, 12 abandons = 19.35%
Heat wave and a difficult first stage (48km). 4 abandons the first day! One eliminated.
Bag weights 2008
The (hand) bags for the women’s podium were the following : 5.520kg for Edith Doyen*, 6.620kg for Carole Diest* and 6.220kg for Irina Guarghias*. The lightest womens pack was that of Corinne Arbez*** (4.120kg) and the heaviest (7.000kg) for Tess Geddes and Nathalie Chevallay, both eliminated the first day in fact.
For the men, Walter Jeannin* 4.900kg, Jérôme Béréziat* 4.860kg and Dominique Sikora**** 4.700kg. Many packs (10) were at the 7.000kg limit, this includes the 3 last runners in the general rankings. The lightest pack was that of Gideon Zadok* 3.780kg.
For these weights to be more meaningful they should be linked to the body weights of the runners.
Long-life blisters
Costly, but well worth it in the long run! No, I’m only joking… I’m, of course, going to talk about your feet!
Read clauses 16, 23 and 32 of the Rules and Regulations.
It’s a sure thing that the Trans Aq’ bivouac will not look like a camp hospital each evening. The Trans Aq’ is aimed at responsible runners. That means you take care of yourselves, feet included.
The rules obligate you to carry the necessary equipment for treating your feet. That means if you play with words and you go through the control points with just one plaster and a mini bottle of antiseptic, then don’t expect to find an “understanding jury”.
Our chiropodists will do a tent tour and give you solid and precise advice.
The same goes for the physiotherapists, strapping and other amputations!
Re-read carefully articles 16, 23, and 32. S’il vous plait!
Speed
For those who have never taken part in the Trans Aq’ or run in Africa, it’s important for you to understand what awaits you…
Backpack + more or less sandy tracks + relief + heat = -20% to -30% of moving speed. Yes, if you usually run a marathon in 4 hours, then it will take you 6 hours or even more to run a stage of 42 km.
This theory has been verified even for the best runners, because the Trans Aq’ is won at a speed of 10 to 11km/h (depending on the year) by runners capable of running these distances at 14 to 15km/h without a backpack, no sand, etc…
1. Quality – run quickly
This is why it’s important to include quality (speed-work) in your training sessions, to increase your value so you’ll not be forced to walk 90% of the Trans Aq’.
E.g. if you run a marathon in 4h10m, your speed is an average 10km/h. With a backpack weighing 5kg (day 1), you lose about 2km/h at the same level of effort. With temperatures at 27°C to 30°C you’ll lose at least another km/h in comparison to 20°C still at the same level of effort. And the average state of the ground on the Trans Aq’ will make you lose another 1 to 2km/h. So, the first day, if it’s hot, in order to not overdo it, you’ll have to run at 7km/h in the morning (when it’s cool) then 6km/h if the heat remains until the end of the stage, always at the same level of effort for a 4h10m marathon…
This is only an average. To resume, if the backpack is heavier, if the weather is hotter and in sandy passages, you’ll be at a maximum 5km/h, if you don’t want to put yourselves into the “red zone”. It’s essential to understand this if you want your Trans Aq’ to be a success.
A 4h10m marathon runner will, therefore, walk often. At each sandy passage, at each uphill passage.
A 3h marathon runner, if he knows how to manage his effort, will probably never have to walk because his average speed will be between 9 to 10km/h.
So, this is why it’s useful to do some quality training sessions, otherwise you’ll be forced to walk often.
2. Specific – slow running
On the contrary, I know many runners where the Trans Aq’ has “completely passed them by” because they didn’t take the time to learn how to run slowly. When you’re used to training at 11 to 13km/h, it’s very difficult muscularly to run at 8 or 9km/h. But it will very often be necessary so as not to “explode” and have to finish a stage by walking. It is, therefore, necessary during training sessions to run for at least 2 hours using these specific speeds. Thigh muscles will become accustomed to work under compression and you’ll avoid pain and injury when you’ll be forced to run at these speeds over many hours (the long stage).
The same goes for the slower runners; they’ll have to walk often (as shown above) and so it’s useful to train yourself to walk because the tendons and muscles don’t work in the same way.
Blisters
Many runners suffer from blisters when usually they never have them… If it’s not owing to shoe size or even new shoes, it’s often because you’ll provoke unusual rubbing/friction. By walking, you may suffer from blisters on the heels if you usually don’t walk, whereas when running you never get blisters, except on the toes.
To sum up, teach yourself to run slowly, or do speed training, running at your marathon speed is unnecessary for preparing the Trans Aq’.
This is only my opinion, it’s not advice carved in stone.
Blondes
Corinne Brunette is registered, Frédérique Chatain (Chestnut) is pre-registered, Alexandra Rousset (Redhead) will not be with us this year… If there’s a blonde out there who would like to register, she can do it under her real name!
Spreading the weight
In the forum, I’ve read that some teams are spreading out the weight between different members. A tube of sunscreen, a cooking pot, etc. It’s clever, logic and not really forbidden. We can’t, after all, forbid everything! But we would like to appose some reservations: It’s clear that the mandatory equipment can’t be transported in the bag of a spouse, friend or team member. Why? Suppose that (s)he has to abandon! (S)he hasn’t the right or the possibility of handing over the shared equipment.
The mandatory equipment is listed in clause 23 of the rules and regulations. It concerns equally and especially the foodstuffs.
Our controls will be systematic and regular. We’ve established a table of the weight that we should find for your backpack at the different stages, in function of the initial weight and the weight of the calories. If the weight is not in accordance (too light or too heavy) we’ll open the pack to try and understand where the problem lies. The same goes for clothes, wearing the spare set of clothes of a friend is not in the spirit of the event.
The objective of this rule is not to penalise the frail or those who are there for the pleasure, but to respect a certain equity, especially for those who want a good place at the finish line and who wouldn’t appreciate being beaten by someone who didn’t run under the same set of rules.
Gentlemen, if we find a make-up bag in your backpack, you may have to answer in front of a suspicious and sardonic audience!
Ultra book
Raidlight have just published a book talking about ultra stage racing. The MDS and La Trans Aq’ have been well covered. The writers of this book are the “leeks” so dear to our hearts, i.e., anonymous runners to be found in the middle of the bunch. One is a Trans Aquitainian, Foued Bérahou*
Start with the second one!
We often hear: “the first year, I had too much food, my scissors were too heavy, I took too much useless stuff in my pack. For my second go, I’ll not make the same mistakes!”
We suggest that you run your first Trans Aq’ as though it was already the second!
Listen to our advice; listen to the “oldies”.
We’ll soon be opening up a forum in which oldies and newcomers can “exchange” ideas. Summaries of each others’ experiences, our news articles will reflect week after week all the tricks of the trade from the “oldies”.
Avoid the first attempt and start straight off with your second Trans Aq’…
For those who grumble
Here’s a Senegalese proverb for those who grumble, of course we’re not pointing at anyone in particular:
“It is better to walk fast than to grow angry at the forest.”
Soul
Russian proverb: “The soul of others is often a deep forest.”
The Trans Aq’ has a soul; it’s not us who says so, but your testimonies. A soul, difficult to perceive, for those who have not run in the …deep forests of the Trans Aq” route.
Screening
We are happy to announce the arrival of a new major partner: Carglass, The number one specialist in France for windscreen replacements and repairs.
We are pleased to note that a major company like this doesn’t give in to easy projects by helping popular events, but on the contrary it decides to support a race that defends other values. The decision that gave origin to this agreement came straight from the heart of a senior executive of this firm. A Trans Aquitainian himself. Thank you for the Trans Aq’ and Welcome!
Cutiots (Resin Pots)
It’s not only the name of the winning team in 2007, it’s also the “Landais” name for the resin pots that are becoming more and more difficult to find in the forest. There were “truffle” pigs, now the place has been taken by “Gerard-the-resin-pot-tracker” (or “resin-pot-pig”?). Mushrooms are too easy! The cutiot, now that’s sport: don’t try and beat me at this, I’m much too good: I can “smell” them, yet another 110 have been found in 3 expeditions. We’ve got 180 in stock. Will you be 180 finishers next year? For a 2nd cutiot and umpteenth star?
The Cutiots team will be back in 2008 with, to top it off, a girls team “the Cutiotes” to join them!
Au petit matin, Jean à la pelle, Dédé dirige la manoeuvre. Opération presque terminée.