Baptiste Chassagne triumphs at the Grand Raid: A run of giants!

Baptiste Chassagne triumphs at the Grand Raid: A run of giants!

On October 17, 2025 there was exciting news on Reunion Island: Baptiste Chassagne won the 33rd edition of the Diagonale des Fous at the Grand Raid. What is particularly impressive is that he completed the route of over 175 kilometers with 10,500 meters of elevation gain in a time of 23 hours, 31 minutes and 54 seconds. Chassagne celebrated his triumph at the La Redoute stadium in Saint-Denis and put in an impressive performance during the Saint-Pierre race, where 2,845 runners started on October 16. Fabrice Payet, the first Réunionnais to finish, secured sixth place, proving that the island's athletes can compete internationally.

The conditions for this extreme ultramarathon were challenging, but Chassagne mastered the course with flying colors. At La Grande Chaloupe he had already moved to the top at 7:11 p.m., more than 40 minutes ahead of second-placed Yannick Noël. At La Possession, where Noël's standstill began, the gap to Chassagne was already 45 minutes. And the other pursuers, such as Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, who won the race in 2023, also showed that it was hardly possible for them to keep up with the pace of the leader.

Women's winner and notable achievements

The women's race was led by the talented Blandine L'Hirondel, who covered the course at Maïdo Tête Dure at 4:25 p.m. with amazing speed. This means she is currently in ninth place overall when considering both men and women. At the back, Marianne Hogan and Sarah Vieuille battled for second place, while Émilie Maroteaux, one of the favorites, made a disappointing exit.

Aside from the main event, competitions such as the Trail de Bourbon, which started on Friday evening at 9 p.m. in Cilaos, and the Métis Trail, which started on Saturday at 6:30 a.m. from the Grotte du Peuplement in Saint-Paul, were also highlights. The Grand Raid has a large fan base and attracts participants from more than 50 nations every year who love the challenge. Whether experienced ultra-cross runners or trail runners, the atmosphere is characterized by self-overcoming, solidarity and joy.

An event with esprit

The Diagonale des Fous is one of the introductory events of the Grand Raid and is considered one of the 15 most difficult races in the world. It is not only a competition, but also a season finale for the athletes who come together in a community to take on this tough challenge. The thrill and pride of exceeding your own performance limits make the event an unforgettable experience for all participants and spectators. Even though Chassagne had emphasized before the race that he came “to discover,” he, like the whole island, won his way into the hearts of the spectators.

For more information about the event, its participants and the future challenges on Reunion Island, you can read the articles on la1ere.fr and reference-trail.fr read up. Also island-la-reunion.com offers exciting insights into the various disciplines and their challenges.