Audrey Tanguy sets the women's benchmark for the 14 Summits of the Massif des Bauges

On Midnight Saturday 4th July, Audrey set off on the technically brutal route which not only saw her summit the 14 peaks over 2,000 metres, but a route which exceeded that in difficulty of Dunand-Pallaz and previous record holder Francois D´Haene. 

With no woman ever attempting this extreme path, the Frenchwoman aimed to set the benchmark at under 24 hours for her 90km/9,500mD+ route. Setting an impressive pace through the night and into the day…. At 23:43, on the heights of Faverges, Audrey fulfilled her dream, as she became the first woman to establish a record reference time on this course. Raising the level for future adventure-seeking women trail runners in the process!

When asked why she chose the project, without hesitation she hinted to her passion for these mountains, growing up and living there. "It's my favorite place in the world and I have so many memories there. It is a very wild and preserved massif with many mountain pastures...Gorgeous!"

Audrey Tanguy, Pro Trail Runner

But even without a woman´s reference time or checkpoints, Audrey was not extremely relaxed about the objective. ¨I was afraid because I did some of these summits and I knew what awaited me. It's very technical so you can do 1km in 50 min! Just after the "dent de l'Arclusaz" the summit above my family house, there is a very tough ascent without a path and very steep for around 50 min. Then a vertiginous and technical summit line of around 3 km. At that time was the first moment that I was physically and mentally tested. It was before noon so I still had a long way to finish! But luckily we had a lot of friends with us like Ludovic Pommeret (also a Compressport athlete) and Adrien Perret, so it helped me to keep fighting.¨

In addition she had the great support of other runners and supporters like Ludovic, who helped her to stay calm and focused. ¨Around 10 people were at 4 different aid stations, with a van during the course, plus 10 more runners who took turns to run with Timothée and I. Also another three photographers. So that was a big organisation! :)¨

While the current situation of this year has not been ideal, as for all sporting greats, Audrey has made the best of it and continued to get the most out of herself. "Normally I had two big projects this year, first with the Western States 100 which is one of my dream races and then the UTMB which is, for me, the most important, and noted race in the world. Finally both have been cancelled...but they will take place next year". 

She turned around a misfortune situation to set herself the challenge such as this one and she also confesses that there is another one planned at the end of July….which she says is a "secret for now…. Then my first big goal in a race will be the Templiers in October. It's a big goal for me because it's shorter than what I usually do...and of course, faster!"

There is little doubt about her fitness after this incredible test as she has been able to continue to run every day, and do home trainer sessions during the lockdown. ¨So I didn't really lose my physical condition. After that I did some big days in mountains like crossing the Chartreuse (70k 4000 D+), or parts of this big challenge of 14, 2000 of Bauges¨ Finally she shares her secrets to what Compressport products were vital to her record setting performance. ¨I loved the Compressport Free Belt Pro because it's very practical with its many pockets to put food and of course, the poles. Secondly the mid compression socks because I like the feeling of the height on the calves, which are asked a lot during this type of course. This height also prevents soil, leaves or other branches from entering ;-)¨