With its many permanent trails and various challenges, it's no wonder that the South Cévennes is a true trail running paradise! Sylvaine Cussot, ASICS ambassador and French trail running champion, shared her experience with us.
Did you know? The Gard department is so rich in trails, each as attractive as the next, that the sporting entities have joined forces to create a challenge called: Challenge des Trails Gardois.
And the Ceven'trail It is part of it. In fact, that's how I learned about this event, and how I participated for the first time in 2013.
The beginning of a great love story
A love story with the discipline, but also a love story with the Ceven'trail.
Trail running, because it's a sport that brings people together, that takes them on a journey, that allows them to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of nature. But also because it's a demanding, comprehensive discipline that severely tests both the physical and mental strength. It allows its practitioners to push their limits, to discover personal resources they never knew they possessed, which is what we call self-transcendence.
The Ceven'trail, because it's a magnificent race that has quickly established itself as a key event on the French trail running calendar. Organized by a team of passionate individuals, it manages to maintain the human values so dear to runners in the region, as well as its professionalism, by offering varied and well-marked courses.
Once you've tried it, you'll definitely want to come back at least a second time! To try and improve your performance, to try another route, to go back and see what you think you might have missed, or simply to relive those wonderful emotions that you experienced that first time.
Well, I actually went back four times! The second time was simply for the pleasure of experiencing it again. The third time was to prolong the enjoyment by increasing the distance. And the fourth time was to relive that third time in less… wintry conditions! Of course, that's the risk you take when you organize a trail race in early March in the middle of winter! Nature isn't always kind to trail runners, and they have to learn to adapt. Yes, indeed! And the worst part is, that's part of the charm of this sport.
A beautiful 62km tourist route
Yes, I can hear you now. How can you call it a "stroll" when you complete this 62km route with approximately 2500m of elevation gain in under 7 hours? In fact, in my opinion, the term "stroll" has nothing to do with a time or performance. It's more about the feeling.
We can "stroll" while going fast, if we enjoy the discovery, this inner journey, this personal introspection... and if, in addition to all that, we get caught up in the game of sightseeing, opening our eyes wide to the territory we are crossing.
I assure you, a 62km loop lets you see a lot of the countryside and breathtaking panoramas that leave you speechless! Well, legless! Haha! My best memory: the Cirque de Navacelles! Sensational, magnificent, surprising… I almost did the loop back the moment I crossed the finish line just to go back!
The villages we passed through were on a human scale. Typical, calm, charming… they were perfect for getting away from it all. And you know, we trail runners are dreamers. And how we cherish those moments of escape and tranquility! Far from all the hustle and bustle, far from all the harmful commotion that could remind us of the passing of time and the weight of our responsibilities.
This trip to the Cévennes was a suspended moment, outside of time. Both the light and mystical atmosphere of the region, and the wild, remote feel of the place, are what drew me back in 2022, after I'd shivered for 6 hours and 50 minutes on this very route in 2017. Because in five years, we tend to forget. Or we only retain vague, fond memories… just waiting to resurface!
2024, for another plunge?
And yes, the observation is clear: trail running is becoming increasingly popular, the number of participants is growing, and races are springing up all over the world. So choices have to be made. To choose is to give something up. And this year, I wasn't able to go back for my beautiful run in the Gard region.
Postponed! Life is still long (well, I hope so!), and I fully intend, if my health allows, to discover this long 100km route which I haven't yet had the chance to tackle and which is starting to really appeal to me… :)
I'll come back and tell you all about my long walk in the Cévennes. And if you decide to come and discover it too, then perhaps we'll walk a little way together?
