Feeling blessed to wear a bib in 2020 - Les Monts du Jura 73k

Just like everyone in the world, this year has been quite challenging, and I had to adapt my plans significantly. Originally, I had signed up for a series of ambitious races: the EcoTrail Paris in March (45k), MIUT in May (85k), Ultra Lozère in June (110k over 2 days), 6000D in July (65k), and the CCC in August (106k). It was supposed to be an epic year, culminating in the classic UTMB race ending in Chamonix. However, all of these events were cancelled due to the global situation, making it hard to stay motivated without a clear goal in sight.


Fortunately, at the last minute, I signed up for the first edition of a ‘small’ race in the Jura, thanks to a tip from Mathieu. This race, called La Renarde, was surprisingly one of the few events in France that didn’t get cancelled in 2020. Part of a festival with several races over the weekend, La Renarde covered 73k with a 2300m elevation gain.


We started at 7am under a blanket of snow, but as the day progressed, the sun emerged, creating perfect running conditions. I thoroughly enjoyed running along the edge of Mont Jura, an area renowned for producing the famous Vacherin cheese. The race was a fantastic experience, and despite the year’s setbacks, it reminded me why I love trail running. I will definitely be back!


 

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