Smile and pleasure. Repeated in a loop from dawn by “Pilou” and Mehdi, the two speakers of the day, these words contaminated the approximately 8,500 brave people who came to stretch their legs at the Domaine national de Saint-Cloud. On this last Sunday in November, as tradition dictates, the 51st edition of the Cross du Figaro Nordictrack brought together a record number of participants despite competition from the Boulogne-Billancourt half-marathon, just a few hectometers away. Alone, with family, friends or colleagues, thousands of motivated people braved the cool weather (2°C on the thermometer) to take on the four challenges proposed during the morning: the 15 km and 20 km first, 5 km and 10 km afterwards.

In the early morning, while the village located at the Balustrade roundabout welcomed its first visitors, the most daring set off after the sound countdown, borrowed from the famous video game “Mario Kart”. On the trails of the Hauts-de-Seine park, there are no banana peels or blue shells to slow down the arrows in front, simply energetic strides that intertwine and encourage each other. Courage, it takes a certain amount to tame this course called “paw-breaking” but “natural” by Laurent, big winner among all the winners to complete the 20 km. Forget the mud and light rain of last year, the wind and humidity have passed their turn this time. “A little more sun and that was ideal,” summarizes Thomas, proud to have completed his second participation in the legendary race without incident.

Once the effort is over, it’s obviously time for comfort, in the middle of the heating stoves which serve as a gathering place, where hearts warm and stomachs fill. Some even follow up with a clean-up by starting a game of table football, while the souvenir photos number in the hundreds. The satisfaction of a great accomplishment can be seen on half of the faces, reddened by the cold and marked by fatigue. The other half, their legs very light, are impatient to set off during the second start, even more popular, around 11:30 a.m. The highlight of the day, the release of the 5km and 10km runners marking the official start of the Telethon. The “Friends” of the French Association against Myopathies (AFM) precede the crowd of anonymous people under the arch, which saw the 750 registered in the yellow and black jersey of the partner EY, organizer of the award ceremony, rush off. prizes to the winners Tuesday evening.

In the main aisle parallel to the finish, the airlock fills little by little and causes excitement. It is not a question here of decompression but rather of excitement and muscular activation. The regulars of jogging concentrate in their bubble, others jump and stretch to avoid freezing, the latecomers rush. “I haven’t run since last year’s edition,” smiles Serge, who came with two friends and his daughter Nora who has only raced “three times in her life.” Whatever the experience or the time, the essential thing is elsewhere. Driven by the group phenomenon and human warmth, young and old will push their limits, to satisfy their personal pleasure while serving a good cause. Even if the legs say stop, the heart will definitely take over. The Gala title “Freed From Desire” resounds on the sound system, releasing the desire for solitude, sensations, and sometimes suffering, of the 8,500 valiant people, always smiling and mostly covered from head to toe.

As a safety measure, the last Sunday athletes are barely setting off while the fastest ones are already crossing the finish line of the 5km. Don’t worry, everyone will be entitled to their traditional medal, presented by the essential volunteers. In the cold of the heights of Saint-Cloud, its home since 2013, the Cross du Figaro could hardly dream of a better 51st opus. Without the rain or the wind, the fever of the race attracted the crowd and its strides more than ever. Each participant in this “cane festival” in the forest will, without doubt, return home sore. But just as proud to have experienced this magnificent moment of escape, shared since December 17, 1961. As usual, the brave people of 2023 will be able to read their names in our special Figaro section which will be released this Tuesday.