The 36th edition of this unique relay race in Europe has stopped in the Gers, bringing together runners and enthusiasts.
For the thermal city, it was a great first: to welcome a stage of the 36th round of France while running, the longest race in relay on road in Europe. This national sporting adventure began in Cournonterral (Hérault) on July 19, to end in Bernay (Eure) on August 2.
At the origin of this extraordinary race, André Sourdon, former baker in Bernay, passionate about two things: his job and the background. After having devoted 20 years to his profession, he left the bakery to devote himself to his passion. He then discovered an atypical test, Paris-Dakar while running, which links Paris to Dakar on foot. Marked by this experience, he then decides to create his own test: the Tour of France while running, now recognized by the French Athletics Federation.
The race takes place in teams of eight runners, with at least one woman per team. This 36th edition had six teams committed. Each day covers about 200 km, or 25 km per runner on average. Departure often takes place around 2 am or 3 am, for an arrival scheduled between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
City step
After the stages of Gan (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) and Saint-Sever (Landes), it was Cazaubon-Barbotan-les-Thermes who had the honor of being a city of arrival of this great event. The stage village was installed Place Armagnac in Barbotan, to accommodate more than 100 people: runners, guides, volunteers as well as many visitors.
The organization of this stage in Cazaubon was made possible thanks to André Sourdon, who requested Patrice Lartigue, baker-pastry shop in Creon-d’Armagnac and Barbotan, also president of the Chamber of Métiers des Landes. The latter proposed the idea to Isabelle Tintané, mayor of Cazaubon, who accepted with enthusiasm. The municipality thus provided the cottage and the cover to all the participants. This test attracts the elite of regional running, but also enthusiasts from far away. This is the case of Stéphane, who leaves the United States every year to participate.
