2023-06-15 14:00:01
Nicolas Vandenelsken, eco-adventurer part of the MAIF Sport Planète movement, granted us an interview… while running on the GR34. He comes back to the idea of beating this record held by Jérémy Desdouets but also all the awareness-raising part and the legacy that will be left.
How did the idea of beating the GR34 record held by Jeremy Desdouets?
This idea of a GR34 record didn’t really come from me, but from a Breton friend who, for the past two years, has been following me on quite a few adventures. I’ve always been a little scolded by the Bretons because I cut through Brittany quite a bit on the Tour de France while running. I really appreciate Brittany, because I come here to recharge my batteries for a week during each of my eco-adventures. In October 2022, he said to me: “Do you know that Jérémy Desdouets set the GR34 record in 2021?” There had been many published articles reporting that 44 Breton municipalities were threatened by the rising waters. It stuck in my head and during the 110 marathons I convinced myself that this might be a next challenge.
You are almost halfway through your challenge (he was running the 9e stage during the interview, editor’s note.). How is it going so far?
I think today (Thursday) I will get closer to 800 km. I was close to 700 km. It’s going really well. I think I’m a little over a day ahead of the current record. I had a big scare during the third stage because I injured my ankle. She had swelled up nicely. I gritted my teeth for three days, until stage six. During the record, we also try to be accompanied by medical personnel when we can because there is a partnership with the Osteopaths of France. I had seen a first one on the first stage to help me recover and a physiotherapist who bandaged my ankle. It was essential that I see someone in the sixth stage because I don’t know how I might have continued. On Monday, I came across an osteopath in Lannion, who was brilliant. I think he saved my ankle doing a recovery session. Although I still have a little pain, I feel that my ankle is much better. I can pursue the big steps. Yesterday (Wednesday June 7, the interview was conducted on Thursday June 8, editor’s note.), I managed to run 97 km. Everything that happens around pleases me with all the energies, all the sensitizations that we do. Of course, I run, but behind, there are also people from my team, including Charly and Dimitri on bikes, who work in schools to raise awareness regarding coastal erosion. Jérôme, who is in an electric van, takes care of the photos and videos of the record attempt and the refueling. We also have an online kitty that is starting to grow (Rand’eau Raid 34). This kitty will be used to finance local actors who preserve the Breton coasts.
“Different forms of heirlooms will be left following the challenge is completed”
Charly and Dimitri are in charge of raising awareness of coastal erosion in schools. What feedback do you have on these meetings?
Children are very receptive. They are more and more sensitized. The children of Brittany are more aware of the challenges of preserving these coasts, because they are their playgrounds. Teachers are very invested in the subject. We also tell them what is happening on other French coasts. We made a distance learning kit and so it allows them to follow me, to follow the story.
Since the start of the challenge, what changes have you noticed related to global warming?
This can be seen quite easily. I think it is the Bretons who will best witness the changes here in the territory. Even if I’m not Breton (he comes from the North), I see it quite easily on the GR 34 trails where you can no longer pass. It happened to me quite a few times to see a “Forbidden Path” because of landslides on the coast. The coastline is regularly modified due to erosion. By talking with the locals, we learn a lot of changes in terms of biodiversity and endangered species. It is quite palpable and disturbing.
Is the objective of this record attempt a sports operation that will serve as an educational support to address climate change through sport?
What I often say is that I don’t set records so that Nicolas Vandenelsken can be noted somewhere. I enjoy a bit of the system in which record stories please. I use it because I know it will attract. Conversely, I say that you have to slow down and take your time. That’s not what I’m actually doing here, but it’s what needs to be done. To sustain this support, it will be full of things, such as the educational kit for example. That’s already a sustainability because the schools in which I intervened also follow this project. To continue raising awareness, there is the kitty. That is to say that the more donations there are in the kitty, the more we will be able to finance and also carry out concrete actions on Breton territory. There is certainly a documentary film that we are going to make since Jérôme is also there for that. There will be different forms of inheritance.
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