Sport extrême : ils testent la folie du parcours du combattant

The "Frappe à Dingue" in Gravelines is a unique event combining sport and carnival, where 2,000 participants tackle a 12 km obstacle course. The atmosphere is set with a warm-up led by sports coach Sal, where participants, many of whom are not seasoned athletes, prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. These challenges include climbing, white-water swimming, mud baths, and even electroshock obstacles. This event is part of a growing phenomenon in France, with over 200 obstacle races attracting 300,000 thrill-seekers annually. Twenty-four hours before the race, a group of neighbors, including Agathe, Aglaé, and Adélaïde, along with their mother Isabelle, are seen preparing. They are on a quest for costumes, aiming for a "traditional farmer" look, but with a budget of only about fifteen euros. The sisters, for whom Aglaé's 22nd birthday gift was a spot in the race, admit it's a somewhat sadistic present, as they too are compelled to participate. Registration costs 50 euros per person. The participants' preparation is far from conventional, involving aperitifs and fries, suggesting a more mental than physical approach. Isabelle, the mother, is initially reluctant, trying to back out, but her daughters encourage her, emphasizing the fun and memories they will create. Clément de Vince, the organizer of "Frappe à Dingue," orchestrates nine such obstacle races across France each year. In Gravelines, he and his team design a custom course, adapting to local features. For instance, an 8-meter-high rampart built under Louis XIII is transformed into a net climb. Five kilometers away, a waterway is identified for a crawling obstacle under a net. Safety is a priority; Clément meticulously checks for potential dangers like sharp objects in the water. The local prefecture grants authorization, and the municipality provides resources. Clément also crafts the signature element of the race: a mud bath. He notes that participants enjoy getting dirty, embracing the "forbidden" aspects of life and seeking a break from their daily routines. The concept of this unusual race was conceived by Clément's father, Marc de Vince, 15 years prior. Originally organizing nature races, environmental protection laws forced him to modify his routes, leading participants through increasingly challenging terrain. To his surprise, this proved to be a success, and the first "Frappe à Dingue" was born in 2010. The more "cruel" the obstacles, the more popular the race. Their most infamous invention is an electric wire field, powered by a 12V agricultural battery, designed to shock participants who fail to avoid the wires. Although painful, it is deemed harmless. On race day, the "farmer" neighbors embark on their journey. Isabelle, the mother, has been convinced to participate. The first obstacle, a climb, is particularly challenging for Isabelle, who suffers from vertigo. Later, Émilie faces her fear of confinement in a water obstacle. The spirit of the race is not competition but self-transcendence and mutual aid. There is no official ranking; the goal is to finish together, ideally in one piece. Clément, the organizer, monitors the course for accidents, supported by 90 volunteers and 20 first-aid responders. On average, there are two or three fractures per race. Caroline from Valenciennes abandons at the 7 km mark due to cold and fatigue, but expresses her desire to try again and finish next time. The neighbors then encounter a mud bath, fulfilling a childhood dream for some. However, the dream quickly turns into a struggle, with participants needing assistance to get out. Émilie, unable to complete this obstacle, is allowed to continue, as there are no disqualifications. The course continues with a 25-meter mud crawl, designed to further challenge participants and clean them off before returning to the city center. Near the finish line, the "cruelest" obstacle awaits: the electric descent. However, Isabelle cleverly bypasses the electric wires by finding a dry patch, much to the amusement of her teammates. After 3 hours and 50 minutes of "torture and laughter," the group of neighbors finally crosses the finish line, celebrating a memorable birthday. The video then transitions to another extreme event: the "Diagonale des Fous" on Reunion Island, one of the world's toughest foot races. Virginie, a 40-year-old mother, is attempting to complete the 165 km ultra-trail with 10,000 meters of ascent in under 66 hours. The narrator, despite having no real preparation, also registers for the 25th edition to understand the motivations of the participants. The race starts in Saint-Pierre, with thousands of spectators. The minimum equipment includes warm clothing, food reserves, and survival blankets. The average age of participants is 41, with less than 10% being women. The race quickly moves from urban settings to tropical forest. At 2 AM, after 16 km, the race is halted due to a massive bottleneck on a narrow path. This delay threatens participants with missing time cut-offs, leading to disqualification. The narrator survives the first night and appreciates the sunrise over extraordinary landscapes. After 50 km, reaching a refreshment station feels like a small victory, offering real food like cold pasta and overcooked chicken. These stations are crucial oases for physical and mental recovery. Virginie, living in Reunion for four years, is a first-timer, seeking to push her limits and find meaning in her life. The trail is an internal journey, forcing self-discovery during moments of exhaustion. The narrator experiences a difficult 56th km, with extreme heat and humidity. After over 16 hours of racing, exhausted bodies are increasingly seen along the trail, with over 100 km still to go. Entering Cilaos, one of Reunion's three massive cirques, the narrator reunites with Virginie, who appears more resilient. The narrator starts to doubt his ability to finish. Massages from the 1,700 volunteers at refreshment points provide temporary relief. The narrator struggles with eating, a common issue in long-distance races, leading to persistent nausea. Despite the breathtaking scenery, he loses enjoyment, feeling defeated by the "Diagonale des Fous." After 21 hours, 72 km, and 4,000 meters of ascent, his body gives up. He realizes he was not adequately prepared, having trained for only a few months compared to others who trained for years. The narrator is one of 30% of participants who will not finish. For Virginie and others still in the race, a second sleepless night begins, a battle against sleep and cramps. The treacherous paths of Reunion make fatigue potentially fatal, with three deaths from falls in 25 editions of the race. Virginie pushes on, reaching a refreshment station before allowing herself to rest, sleeping on the floor with her survival blanket. At this point, the winner crosses the finish line, while Virginie is still 85 km away. The next day, in the cirque of Mafate, the procession continues. At the 106 km mark, the primary school serves as a field hospital. Virginie arrives within the time limit, exhausted from the night's relentless running. She then faces the greatest challenge: climbing a 1,000-meter wall to exit Mafate and reach the summit of Maïdo, a three-hour effort. A 20 km descent follows to the coastal town of La Possession, including crossing the Rivière des Galets