Le Puy en Velay

Cyclists

Total Distance 684 miles ( 1100 kilometres)

Runners

2 x 55k

8 x 28k

1x 12k

Total Distance 346 kilomètres

I write this after a hectic weekend following our Tonbridge runners whilst staying with our French family and meeting up with the twinning association.

As mentioned previously the cyclists and Nigel & Monica were met at the conclusion of their ride. However unlike in previous years where we always had to climb to the cathedral to get to the hub of the trail races, this had now switched to the Jardin Henri Vinay park at the bottom of the town.

Whilst this was a much more spacious area to handle the 7000 runners taking part across the various distances the organisers had rather cruelly decided to still send the runners up the Rue des Tables and then up the steps of the cathedral before coming back down and throwing in an underpass just to add insult to injury!

We had seven runners on the Saturday taking part in the 28k Chibottes run which like both days was run in steaming hot conditions. This course has a bit of everything because as well as the rough trails, and roads through town it also had a railway tunnel, lovely and cool according to the runners, and this pontoon bridge set up.

First home were Charlie & Harri. Harri impressively still smiling through gritted teeth after having had a couple of close calls on the rough terrain.

Alex was next up and even though he appeared a bit grumpy was pleased to have finished and be back in the arms of his fiancée Summer.

Richard and Penny were our next finishers. Penny completing the course impressively as 8 th in age category and Richard of course just having completed the cycle ride. Our final finishers and completing the 100% record were Vee & Caroline. Both super pleased to have covered their longest ever run.

Sunday dawned sunny and it was only going to get warmer but by now our two longest distance runners Jamie & Hal had boarded their coach at 5.50 to get them to the start

Nigel, Monica & I drove out to the first two feed stations to see Hal and Jamie but missed the first one as the organisers’ scheduling was a bit awry. When we got to the outskirts of the small village of St Jean Lacharme there were queues of parked cars everywhere so we parked up short. A sensible move as both Nigel and I ended up doing a bit of traffic marshalling to allow a tractor and its Tedder ( hay spinner) back to his yard as he was unable to get to his field as the selfish had blocked his entrance. Funnily enough we met him again on our way out and he gave us a big thumbs up for our help.

Hal came in on good form commenting that the climb had been relentless and brutal. Soon after she left Jamie appeared focussed and unfazed with the objective of completing the run.

Whilst these two marathoners were pounding along Catherine hit the 12km trail and Dom, having had to forego the 78km run due to injury, went for the 28km walk.

Both Catherine and Dom powered round their courses and its best not to mention that Dom walked the course faster than Vee and Line ran it! Mr superhuman.

That left only Hal and Jamie out on course. In the interim Line and I enjoyed a full lunch with our French family and all their offspring!

Hal speeded up over the last section so much we had to rush our dessert and get down to see her finish. Taking inspiration from her brother’s efforts two years ago she even ran up the Rue des Tables

Following Hal’s finish we had time to congratulate her and then get back out to see Jamie come through town. Looking solid and determined ( and so much happier than 7 years ago) Jamie kept to his schedule and finished strong.

What a fantastic achievement by all our athletes. It’s also important not to forget Maria and Justine who came to undertake a patisserie marathon. In fact Justine was our only first place finisher having completed a game in the athletes village.

After these fantastic efforts and deserved shower and clean up, the whole group were then invited back to a celebratory meal overlooking Le Puy hosted by Hughette Portal and her husband Jean. The only downside being that it was back up at the top of a hill where tired legs were not keen to go.

What a fabulous way to end the weekend with wine and cheese and successful memories.

Silvia who is 90 next month, remains a force of nature, and is the reason why we are all here this weekend. She started off my love affair with Le Puy, 52 years ago when I first arrived in Le Puy with my dad on a weekend visit. She plucked me off the coach and said he’s with me as my son is the same age.

We have remained friends and I have returned countless times since on school trips, skiing, weddings, birthdays and family holidays too so it is always a great joy to share this special place with everyone.

So will we be back to the Trails du St Jacques in 2028?