TRAIL RUNNING small by comparison , but they weren ’ t , and the footing was technical and treacherous . First it was up and over the “ English road ,” a road built from large volcanic rocks sometime in the 19th century . Due to age , disuse and erosion , it is now little more than a very long pile of rocks , so the next climb and descent of several kilometres were all just rock-hopping .
We hit the coast once again and then started the final climb . With about 14 km to go , there was still over 900m of elevation-gain left . And each metre now hurt , up or down . I slogged my way up a path that was just an erosion rut , barely wide enough to swing my legs past each other , resulting in me constantly tripping myself , or just losing my balance and landing in the bushes . I used every swear word I know , and even some that I made up !
Eventually I made it to the final checkpoint . The route profile showed downhill all the way for the last 5km , and I held thumbs it would be easy . It wasn ’ t . Instead , it was the most technical descent of the entire course – rocky , rooty , slippery , uneven , and with plenty of clambering required . I could hear the finish , I just couldn ’ t see it , and each corner I rounded produced only more suffering and no sight of La Redoute , the finishing stadium . Thankfully , I eventually saw a road , the noise got louder , I rounded a corner , and there it was !
Mind in Survival Mode
In past ultra events , I ’ ve become quite emotional when I get to the finish . It didn ’ t happen this time . My mind was numb , and seeing the finish line didn ’ t seem real . I entered the stadium and crossed the finish line like I was dreaming it . I had run , hobbled , tip-toed and walked 173km , and climbed over 11,000m , according to my trusty Garmin . I had started on Thursday night and finished just before 2am on Sunday morning . I had finished the hardest thing I have ever done , by a long way .
I made my way back to the stadium later that day , after a shower and a sleep , to hand back my GPS tracker and the stadium had come to life . Runners were still coming in , supporters were cheering , the sun was shining , and I was standing there , taking it all in , while wearing my finisher ’ s T-shirt , which proclaims
: A first sight of the coastline , but not quite finished yet
Gnarly trails made the running really slow and technical at times
“ J ’ ai survecu .” I survived . That ’ s when the reality hit me of what I had finished . I made it home 13-and-ahalf hours ahead of cut-off , and finished in the top half of all starters . I deliberately use the word “ starters ,” rather than “ finishers ,” because 869 starters never made it . Only 68 % finished . And I was one of them . It was an experience of a lifetime , and one I will never forget .
Due to his back niggle , Anton actually enjoyed the ups much more than the downs
Grand Raid Epilogue
Due to being in denial and / or not expecting to make it much beyond the first checkpoint , I hadn ’ t reminded my friends that I was running , nor did I let anyone other than Petro and the kids have my tracking info . However , when I woke up on Sunday morning and started scrolling through my phone , which had been on flight mode for most of the run to preserve battery , I was surprised and humbled by all the support I had received , the interest shown by my friends throughout the race , and all the messages of congratulations waiting for me . My attempt at remaining incognito was foiled and I had in fact been tracked all the way by my friends . Thank you to all who showed an interest and supported me , it really is appreciated !
With the little jog behind me , I had a few more days to sightsee and enjoy the island , so I started by visiting the turtle rehabilitation and sanctuary centre at Kélonia . What graceful and beautiful creatures they are . Then I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting at a beach bar , sipping a piña colada ( on Petro ’ s instruction ) and a few beers while watching all the people on the beach . When my neck started to get as sore as my feet , I called it a day and headed “ home ” for the night .
The next morning , I decided I wanted to see more of the island ’ s interior , but being too sore to walk or drive anywhere , I went for the lazy option and took a sightseeing flight . It was spectacular , and seeing
When your race Tee says you are a survivor , you know the race was tough !
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