| You will start the race from the main square of Vailhan, a typically Mediterranean village. You will leave the village, in front of the vicarage, then you will face a upward slope on a wide firebreak track so as to stretch the pack. After a 80m positive incline, you will dive towards the barrage, you will follow its bank until you get back up onto the road and you will run under the building dry-footed. A wide path along the bathing area leads you to a rather abrupt track, 100m+ in 550m. Nice view over the little village. |
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| As you run towards Montesquieu, there is a technical downhill passage, be careful not to let yourself dragged down, the turns are treacherous. The smell of thyme, crumpled by the runners’ feet will linger for a moment. You will cross the village, first past the goat-farm, then along the little streets which will be animated for the circumstance. From then on, all you have to do is follow the goats’ droppings! Joke aside, it is basically what you have to do, mind you, it goes really well with thyme… The reflexive barrier tapes will lead you from garrigue terrain to grassy lands, then to a mono track. No risk of getting moonstruck, you will be protected by the vaulted strawberry trees and green oaks. The terrain is not yet technical… and on you will run, happily smiling in the Mediterranean vegetation. Oh, there may be a couple of repetitive bumps, but as you love them really, you will not count them, and you will easily make it to Faugères, which has a wine reputation. Unfortunately you will not get any at the supply point, but you will be able to get plenty of water. And why not some soup too. 21kms. Ready for the coming 25kms, you will climb up to the windmill, all lit up for the night, along a very nice path restored par the Pierre Sèches Association, and which will also show itself to best advantage by a few torches. From this beautiful vantage point, you will reach Soumartre by a light downhill slope. Then, up to the Tantajo aerial, at Km 27, from which the view of the lit valley will undoubtedly reward your effort. The terrain will progressively change, technical here and there, the incline will make itself felt as it will be more obvious, and that is how the steep path to La Coquillade will be the start of another universe. Rocks will become more present… You will run under the stone gate of the Mercoirol castle ruins, at the lieu-dit Saint Michel. |
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| The downhill path will lead you to Aires then to Lamalou, whose lights, for a few kms will have made you long to reach the second supply point, and for some of you, to pass the relay to the second team member who will be more than happy to carry it to Mons. But this is still too far to be evoked, and the present stop will enable you to tend to any little pains and scratches thanks to the medical team set up in the Thermes du Soleil hall, at Km 46, 2000m of positive incline altogether. Here you will be able to get some food before getting to the core of the race. |
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From Lamalou until Olargues, it can be said without exaggeration that the terrain is ideal as training for the Grand Raid de la Réunion. You will judge by yourselves. Ready for action, you will cross the Thermes park opened just for you, and you will follow the steady uphill path that will lead you a first time to the plateau. Under a beautiful pine forest, you will follow uphill a mountain bike downhill track. After at least an hour of climbing, since the last supply point, the forest will get thinner, and with the dawning day, you will witness a magnificent show. A harmony of the colours of the bushes, flowers and rocks, a far view of the pics that will keep you busy for part of the day, and probably a meeting with a few mouflons.
Happy to be here, you will taste the freedom of running in Caroux. A short downhill track technically snaking its way between rocks and a vegetation eager to lick your calves, and you will reach Madale, then go up again for a bit before diving towards Colombières-sur-Orb through the Fleysses. Some real downhill pleasure, 580m-, through woods of green oaks and chestnut trees. Colombières-sur-Orb marks the first half of the race, the end of the first 2-runner relay, and the third supply point in the big village hall. As you will feel that you have not seen enough of the plateau’s beauty, you will be lucky enough to get back up there, but via the Colombières gorges this time, a magnificent trekking track that follows the spring’s torn-up ribbon. The rock is king of the area, and the vegetation has taken its place in subtle osmosis. In order to reach La Fage, a pretty stone refuge, an alternance of little flat bits good for re-speeding or for resting, and the presence of water, make this part fun |
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| From there, you will have to follow the GR7, still in the middle of rocks and pebbles, to find the summit and its fantastic views on the Pyrenees mountains on the one side and on the pre-Alps on the other side. 15 to 30 minutes’ well deserved respite on the plateau, crossed by a small peat bog that you will be reminded not to brand by peeing in it, for yes, this is the one sacred privilege reserved to the local fauna! As you get out of a pine-lined alley, you will admire the panorama – the valley 850m below you – and as soon as you’ve passed the orientation table, you will enter a formidable technical downhill slope called the Guards’ Path. The best of you will take at least half an hour to get to the Whispers’ Footbridge that overhagns the spring. |
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| Phew! Only 1,5kms left to find the 4th supply point, in Mons-la-Trivalle, at Km 74 and 3750m of positive incline. Passage of the relay to the 3rd runner. Some rest, maybe some pain treatment, and you will be in good shape to get started again for… a little run in the Caroux! Along a tree-shaded, winding and technical path at first, you will climb up to Bardou, a completely restored stone-built hamlet where you are very likely to encounter one of the resident peacocks. After a little stop to get some fresh air at the lake of Airette, you will take the long way up through a changing and gorgeous landscape to 1010-m high Montahut pass. |
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It is the starting point of the third relay, the shortest one, 29 kms, but not to be outdone by beauty and two major technicalities. Indeed, you will gradually move away from Olargues on a nice and slightly uphill PR, looking back to enjoy Olargues’ implantation in the valley. Higher up, you can make out the Montahut pass, an easily recognisable bare dome, and far away on your right, Héric’s gorges where you came from. What a long way you have run! But enough roaming, you will leave the PR after 5 kms to heave yourself as best as you can up to Naudech Peak, 330m+ in 1300 m, technical bit. What a panorama once you will get there! You will discover the colourful meanders of the Orb, which waters Vieussan and Roquebrun, even on the driest summers. Presently you will be going down a nice and stiff track, a straight slope, a handy test to check if your thighs still exist, and whether or not they do, it leads you to a nice mono track. A wide trail follows, and a steep negative slope, a former enduro trail that leads to the old bridge of Vieussan. 103kms. The 6th supply point is set up in the village hall. On the last leg of the race, you will enjoy a visit of this beautiful hillside village, along the marked out itinerary that will lead you to the Tour des Pins, the last 500m+ technicality on a narrow path? Turn around now and then as you go up and enjoy the view of the village. |
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| With your eyes full of beautiful images, you will go over to the other side and get to a rather easy part. Through the Cazalou, you will enter an oak forest, until you finally find the valley where Roquebrun lays, the final destination of this long journey. You can let yourself go on the last 4 kms of downhill slope (400m-) Eager to get a closer look at the Orb, you will reach the top of the village, past a vineyard before following the river course to eventually reach the Esplanade where you will hear your friends and family cheering you, and smell the aroma of the local products displayed by the producers from Pays Haut Languedoc et Vignobles. You can be proud of yourself and rest for a bit in the shadow of a Phoenix palm tree before tasting the local products! |
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ULTRA MOUTAIN NATIONAL TOUR 2016
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