Diagonale des Fous | All you need to know

The Diagonale des Fous and the Grand Raid de La Réunion will take place this year from October 17th to October 20th, 2024. Considered one of the most difficult ultra-trail competitions in the world, the 'Diag' attracts each year thousands of international trail running athletes who come to compete on the steep slopes of this island in the Indian Ocean. Four routes with demanding characteristics and heavenly scenery cross Reunion from south to north.

Do you want to know more about the different races? Check out our special Diagonale des Fous 2024 article now.

The Diagonale des Fous, the queen race of the Grand Raid

Inaugurated in October 1989, the Diagonale des Fous is reputed to be one of the most difficult trail-running races in the world. From Saint-Pierre to Saint-Denis, the athletes cover 165 km in over 22 hours, for a 10,500 meters elevation gain. This race is also aptly named "Madmen's Diagonal" since the participants climb the Piton de La Fournaise massif, a still active volcano.

Because of its difficulty, runners wishing to take part in La Diagonale des Fous must have run at least one trail between 1st of January 2023 and 31st of July 2024 and have obtained at least 85 points over this same period.

From the slopes of the Piton de La Fournaise to the Plaine des Sables via the Réunion National Park, the Diagonale des Fous offers us varied and above all sublime panoramas. A mythical race not to be missed, whether for spectators or runners.

Technical characteristics

Start date: October 17th, 2024

Local start time: 21:00

Start location: Ravine Blanche Saint-Pierre

Distance: 170 km

Elevation: 10,500 meters

Time barrier: 66 hours maximum

Number of participants: 3,000 maximum

Athletes who made their mark on the race

Salomon athletes

• Courtney Dauwalter won the Diagonale des Fous in 2022 finishing at 4th place in scratch.
• François D'Haene won the Diagonale des Fous 4 times in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018.

Notable athletes

• Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz & Katie Schide won the Diagonale des Fous in 2023.
• Killian Jornet won the Diagonale des Fous twice in 2010 and 2012.
• Ludovic Pommeret and Daniel Jung won the Diagonale des Fous hand in hand in 2021.

The Trail de Bourbon

The Trail de Bourbon is a demanding and technical course that alternates between cool nights and scorching heat during the day. From Cilaos to Saint-Denis, the athletes cover 100 km for a 6,090 m elevation gain.

The main sites on Reunion Island crossed by the participants are the Kerveguen Trail, the Caverne du Four, Hell-Bourg, the Cirque de Salazie, the Col de Fourche, the Cirque de Mafate, the islets of La Nouvelle, Marla and Roche Plate, La Grande Chaloupe, the Parc du Colorado, etc.

As for the Diagonale des Fous, runners will need to justify a certain level of experience. To take part in the Trail de Bourbon, they will have to have run at least one trail between 1st of January 2023 and 31st of July 2024 and have obtained at least 75 points over this same period.

Technical characteristics

Start date: October 18th, 2024

Local start time: 20:00

Start location: Cilaos

Distance: 100 km

Elevation: 6,090 meters

Time barrier: 42 hours maximum

Number of participants: 1,300 maximum

The Mascareignes Trail

From Hell-Bourg to Saint-Denis, the athletes cover 70 km for a 4,000 m elevation gain.

The main sites on Reunion Island crossed by the participants are the Cirque de Salazie, the Scout Trail, the Cirque de Mafate, etc.

A major new development this year is that runners will now need to demonstrate a certain level of experience to participate in the Mascareignes. They must have run at least one trail between 1st of January 2023 and 31st of July 2024, and have obtained at least 40 points during this period.

Technical characteristics

Start date: October 18th, 2024

Local start time: 01:00

Start location: Hell-Bourg

Distance: 70 km

Elevation: 4,000 meters

Time barrier: 21 hours maximum

Number of participants: 1,800 maximum

The Zembrocal Trail Relay

From Saint-Joseph to Saint-Denis, the athletes cover 147 km in relays, with a 7,910 m elevation gain.

The main sites on Reunion Island crossed by the participants are the Piton de la Fournaise, the Cirque de Salazie, the Scout Trail, the Cirque de Mafate, etc.

No points are required for the Zembrocal trail relay but some experience and good training are recommended.

Technical characteristics

Format: Relay

Start date: October 17th, 2024

Local start time: 17:00

Start location: Saint-Joseph Town Hall

Distance: 151 km

Elevation: 9,130 meters

Time barrier: 39 hours and 45 minutes maximum

Number of participants: 225 teams of 4 maximum

The mandatory equipment for the 4 races of the Grand Raid de la Réunion

- Your race bib

- A race bracelet provided by the organisers

- Your personal bag to which is attached an electronic chip given to you by the organisers when you receive your race bib. Your bag must have enough room to carry:

• 1 headlamp or torch with spare batteries
• 1 water reserve of at least 1.5 litres
• 1 whistle
• 1 mobile phone with sufficient charging capacity for your entire race
• 1 food reserve sufficient to link the different feeding points
• 1 waterproof rain jacket with hood
• 1 long-sleeved warm garment in technical fabric
• 1 reusable cup per person
• Your ID
• For the Diagonale des Fous and the Trail de Bourbon: 2 adhesive elastic bands to make a bandage or a strapping with a minimum length of 2.50 meters and a width of 6 to 8 cm.
• For the Mascareignes Trail and the Zembrocal Trail relay: 1 elastic bandage or strapping with a minimum length of 2.50 meters and a width of 6 to 8 cm (per person in the relay).
• 1 survival blanket with a minimum size of 1.4m X 2m

- In the event of exceptional measures (for example COVID 19), the organization will inform the runners of the rules to be applied.

- Any use of sticks is strictly prohibited.

You now have all the information you need to start your training. To find out more about trail and ultra-trail preparation, do not hesitate to consult our dedicated articles.

Crédits Photos: Jordi Saragossa