The Saintélyon, one of the most famous trail events, is fast approaching! Training, nutrition, kit, clothing — there are plenty of questions to answer. With one month to go before the Saintélyon, how do you prepare properly? In this article, we share some tips to help you have an unrivalled night-time adventure!
How to prepare for the Saintélyon with a trail running specialist
Between urban running and trail running, the Saintélyon is the end-of-year event that represents a true challenge for many runners! Weather conditions are often unpredictable, ranging from sleet to heavy snowfall. And running enthusiasts — seasoned veterans and beginners alike — are queuing up to take on the challenge of linking the city of Saint-Étienne to Lyon.
Once you have your medical certificate and your registration is sorted, all that remains is to start your training, clock up the miles and collect your race number on the day. Knowing the course, the elevation gain, your endurance level and how well you adapt to off-road racing if you are used to road running is equally essential.
On the kit front, Cimalp — a French brand specialising in mountain equipment — offers clothing and accessories specifically designed for trail running. For a full trail running kit checklist, head to the e-commerce site of this Drôme-based brand. The key points regarding the right equipment are as follows:
- tackle the cold
- adopt the 3-layer system
- light your way properly
- find the right balance between warmth and breathability in your clothing
- hydrate and fuel yourself properly
- find shoes that fit! Don't change your pair of shoes on race day, for example — it will save you a lot of trouble.
With one month to go, specialist magazines also cover the topic of Saintélyon preparation — including Esprit Trail, which shares its programme for getting race-ready in 4 weeks!
To prepare well for a race like the Saintélyon, it pays to do your research and draw inspiration from trail professionals.
Tips from Cimalp athletes for the Saintélyon
Some athletes from the Cimalp Trail Team will be on the start line at the Saintélyon races. Among them:
- Maryline Nakache on the Saintélyon 78 km
- Laure Desmurs on the SaintéSprint 24 km
- Benoît Dupraz, also on the STL
For nutrition advice, turn to ultra-trail runner Maryline Nakache. Having won the Marathon des Sables and the TDS in 2023, she is now fully engaged in her trail coaching and nutrition career.
"Nutrition is a learning process that takes place throughout the entire year. It helps you understand how to fuel yourself in the 2–3 days before a race and during it", says the Cimalp athlete. With less than a month to go before the Saintélyon, it is not too late to prepare properly!
Photos Clément Simon | Lavaredo Ultratrail
