Grand Raid concludes in La Réunion

The 34th edition of the Grand Raid, an ultra-trail running event, concluded on October 18 in La Réunion, drawing around 6,800 participants from 43 countries. The event took place over four days, from October 15 to 18, with runners tackling various challenging routes across the island.

Thanksgiving mass held in Saint-Denis

A thanksgiving mass was celebrated on October 18 at the Notre-Dame de La Délivrance church in Saint-Denis. The event was led by Father Sébastien Payet, who emphasized the importance of honoring the runners, their families, volunteers, and all those involved in the Grand Raid.

Challenging routes and natural beauty

The Grand Raid featured five different ultra-trail itineraries, ranging in difficulty and covering the diverse landscapes of La Réunion. Runners traversed through the UNESCO-listed Réunion National Park, encountering lush forests and rocky ridges, with over 2,000 volunteers providing support along the way.

Hugo Deck wins the race

French runner Hugo Deck, 26, emerged as the overall winner, completing the 180-kilometer course with 9,700 meters of elevation gain in 22 hours, 54 minutes, and 19 seconds. The event saw 5,656 finishers across all races, each completing an unforgettable journey.

Mass highlights human values

The thanksgiving mass aimed to highlight the human values associated with the Grand Raid, such as perseverance, solidarity, and fraternity. The event also included a special blessing of equipment by Dominican brothers from the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, reinforcing the spiritual and communal aspects of the race.