Mathieu Blanchard Wins Diagonale des Fous 2024 in Extreme Conditions
Mathieu Blanchard's Remarkable Journey
The Diagonale des Fous 2024 saw the French runner Mathieu Blanchard achieve victory against Swiss athlete Jean-Philippe Tschumi. This ultra-trail race, extending over 175 km and involving a staggering 10,150 m of elevation gain, runs from Saint-Pierre to Saint-Denis, cross the dramatic terrains of La Réunion.
A First-time Triumph
Despite being a newcomer to this challenging event, Blanchard finished in a stunning 23 hours and 25 minutes. 'It's hard to perform when participating for the first time; this victory is totally unexpected,' he stated in an interview.
The Challenge of Conditions
The conditions during the race were intense, but Blanchard's determination shone through. He finally broke away from Tschumi on the very technical paths under the blazing sun, allowing him to claim the title. 'The atmosphere is crazy; I feel a lot of authenticity from the Reunionese, it truly feels like flying on the paths,' Blanchard expressed.
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