Le Dernier Aulne Debout
On 17th February this year, the enchanting setting of Aulne Abbey acted as the backdrop for the second edition of ‘Dernier Aulne Debout’. Exactly what does this trail running event entail and why is it so popular with sportsmen and women in our region? Here is a closer look at an original concept that encourages you to surpass yourself and requires you to pace your efforts.
‘Le Dernier Aulne Debout’. Now there’s a name for a sporting event that sets the mind wondering … Actually, it is a tip of the hat to ‘Le Dernier Homme Debout’ (The Last Man Standing), a Belgian concept that was launched in 2018 in Andenne, which has since flourished, with the race now being organised in several regions around France, from the Vendée to Brittany and the Morvan.
Run, Eat, Drink, Repeat
So what is the ‘Dernier Homme Debout’ event about? You run a 7.5 km loop in less than an hour, to be repeated every hour, with a maximum of 24 loops. All runners that fail to complete a single loop in 60 minutes are eliminated, until just one competitor remains: the Last Man (or Last Woman) Standing. If several runners are still in the race after 23 hours (and 23 laps), the one who is first to cross the finishing line of the 24th lap is declared the winner.
Tip: each new start can only take off on the next hour on the dot, not before. While waiting for the clock to strike, the competitors must wait in the neutral refreshment area. Hence the phrase that sums up the concept: ‘Run, Eat, Drink, Repeat’.
Unfaltering enthusiasm
Last year, Julien Geuse and Vincent Rampaelbergs came up with the idea of organising a shorter version of this trail race in Fontaine-l’Évêque: a 7.1km loop to be repeated a maximum of 10 times. 70 participants set off hoping to become the ‘Last Aulne Resident Standing’. Eleven runners managed to complete the loop ten times, with Logan Perin from Andenne as the winner.
A more demanding race
The number of runners registered, and the very positive feedback received after the first edition of the event, described by Julien Geuse as being ‘among mates’, surprised the organisers and led them to stage a repeat performance in 2024, again in the splendid setting of Aulne Abbey and its surroundings. Albeit with a twist: the loop to be completed on 17th February was now 7.6km, 500 metres longer than last year. There were also three pleasant climbs instead of two, with the addition of a nice little climb of some 70D+ (a 70-metre uphill gradient) at the end of the trail, bringing the total to 230D+.
A second win for the Andenne local
This did not scare Logan Perin. Quite the opposite in fact:
‘The harder it is, the better it is for me’,
said the man who came to defend his title and, at the same time, train for Le Dernier Homme Debout – which took place in Andenne over the weekend of 23rd and 24th March. Without a doubt, it was this drive that enabled him to land another victory at Fontaine-l’Évêque, getting his ultra-trail running season off to a flying start.
2024. Shifting up a gear.
Another new feature of Le Dernier Aulne Debout 2024 was that it was available in three different formats. Participants could sign up for 12 loops, 6 loops or 1 single loop, with the aim of attracting and pleasing as many participants as possible.
This change to the event also led to an increase in the size of the rest and refreshment area. This year, before setting off on the next lap, competitors were able to recharge their batteries not only in the gym at Saint-Exupéry school in Fontaine-l’Évêque, but also in the school’s refectory. The icing on the cake was that the runners benefited from the professional care provided by physiotherapy students from the Condorcet University College!
Let’s talk figures
Just how long does it take to complete this loop of roads and forest trails? It all depends on the point in time you are at during the race: it is better to pace your efforts and save yourself in the first few laps so as to conserve the energy you need to give it your all for the last lap. This was the tactic adopted by Logan Perin who, in the 12th and final loop, found himself up against Cédric Baillet who was determined to take the trophy from him. However, Logan pulled out all the stops after the second of the three climbs and ended up winning the race, crossing the finishing line after 39’17‘’, ahead of Cédric Baillet (40’19‘’) and François Masson (40’53‘’).
Hats off to one…
Other than Logan, who won of the 12-lap race, the 20 finalists in the 6-lap race and the 18 runners in the single-lap format also showed great fighting spirit.
Corentin Thiebaux won the 6-loop race, ending his final lap at 35’35‘’ ahead of Geoffrey De Bilderling (37’12‘’) and Adrien Hocquet (39’02‘’).
As for the single loop, this saw Leernes’ Oscar Bourgeois occupy the top of the victory platform (32’17‘’), his brother Louis came second (33’49‘’) with Thuin’s Louis Tonolli placing third (36’59‘’).
… and all!
As the ultra-trail is also a women’s event, we cannot end our report on the 2024 edition of the Dernier Aulne Debout without paying tribute to the performance of the female athletes. Isabelle Delmotte, who took part in the single loop event, completed the race in 53’29‘’. As for the 6-loop event, three women finished the race: Mandy Dammekens (crossing the finishing line of the final lap at 43’19‘’), Laurence Triffaux and Yaelle Bruneau.
Congratulations to one and all and see you next year for what is now a must-attend event for the sportsmen and women of the Charleroi Metropolitan Region!
More details on the organiser’s Facebook page