Grand Raid
In short
The Grand Raid is an annual mountain ultramarathon held on Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Known as La diagonale des fous, it covers 166 kilometres with 10,000 metres of elevation gain.
In plain words
It is one of the toughest long-distance running races in the world. Runners must climb steep mountains and navigate difficult terrain across the island. The race is famous for being extremely hard on the body.
A simple example
A runner might start at one end of the island and spend many hours climbing through tropical forests and volcanic landscapes to reach the finish line.
Why it matters
It is a premier event in the world of ultra-distance running. It tests the absolute limits of human endurance and attracts elite athletes globally.
Easy to mix up
Do not confuse it with a standard marathon, which is much shorter and flatter.