Teacher turns ultra-trail athlete

Sarah Vieuille, a 41-year-old physics and chemistry teacher in the Vosges region of France, is making waves in the ultra-trail running community. Unlike most elite athletes who train for months, she arrived on La Réunion only five days before the Diagonale des Fous, an 180-kilometer race with 10,200 meters of elevation gain, which starts on Thursday evening.

Recent race success

Vieuille recently won the TDS, a 148-kilometer race in the UTMB Mont-Blanc series, finishing in 22 hours and 8 minutes. Her performance earned her a notable 9th place in the combined men's and women's standings, showing her competitive edge despite her unconventional training schedule.

Balancing teaching and training

Vieuille manages her teaching career and athletic goals by starting her day at 5:30 a.m. with core training before heading to work. After classes, she changes into her running gear and trains, often living out of her car to save time. Her coach, Philippe Propage, says her unique schedule gives her a strong mental drive that helps during tough race moments, even though it limits her recovery time.

Overcoming physical challenges

Despite facing foot injuries from 2022 to 2024, Vieuille remains focused on her goals. She plans to compete in the Diagonale des Fous, where she finished fourth in 2025 despite nutrition issues during the race. She sees this event as her "last participation" but is determined to perform well, especially after her recent success at the TDS.

Background and inspiration

Vieuille, who grew up in the Bordeaux region, began running during her engineering studies in Rennes to regain fitness after a difficult time. She later moved to the Vosges, where she discovered trail running and became a top athlete. She now teaches in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and is part of the Kiprun Team Trail, where she runs with Blandine L’Hirondel, a professional trail runner who transitioned to a full-time athletic career in 2024.

Inspiration and influence

Vieuille's success after 40 has drawn comparisons to Ludovic Pommeret, another athlete coached by Propage. While she acknowledges the differences between her lifestyle and that of full-time athletes, she finds inspiration in her work and the balance it provides. Her students and colleagues are aware of her dual life, with many following her athletic achievements and even taking up trail running themselves.