Let’s go back to when this idea was born: what was the exact conversation or triggering moment that drove you and Oscar to run across Europe?
We’ve always loved taking on athletic challenges and participating in races together, and we wanted to try something neither of us had ever done before: a multi-day challenge. We didn't know what to expect, except that it would be a totally new experience for us and would really test our limits. At the same time, we didn't want to just do anything; we wanted something meaningful with a clear purpose. That’s why we chose to run from our "home"—where we grew up—to where we currently live in the South of France. We also wanted to involve the French community, because every opportunity I have in my career is thanks to the people who support me on social media. It was a way to give back while raising funds and encouraging people to join us for a run, turning it into a true community event.
When you were completely exhausted, in the middle of nowhere, and your legs were giving out, what specific thought or personal memory kept you pushing forward, one foot after the other?
I thought a lot about Oscar’s dad; I didn’t see him myself, but I know he suffered deeply for many months. And seeing my own father endure immense pain during a specific round of chemotherapy—where he developed terrible oozing and crusty sores all over his body—made me realize that so many people are enduring far worse than I am, so I can keep running. Running is something I chose to do, and I was surrounded by friends. So many people face much harder struggles, alone, without a choice. Ultimately, the thought that someone always has it worse helped me tremendously. I’m also a firm believer in keeping your word. Even for small things, like meeting someone for coffee, you shouldn't cancel. If you said you’d do it, follow through. It was the exact same thing here: we said we’d do it, so we had no choice.
What did you feel emotionally when you finally caught sight of the Mediterranean coast in Nice?
Actually, the first time we caught sight of the coast was in Marseille, and strangely enough, it almost felt like we had finished the journey even though we still had four days left. Realizing we had officially crossed France on foot felt a bit overwhelming, and we took immense pride in how far we’d come. But I quickly told myself: "Alright, we still have a massive job to finish. Running 60 km a day for four straight days is a huge challenge in itself." So we kept taking it one day at a time, knowing that barring a serious injury, we were going to make it. When we finally arrived in Nice, it felt surreal: we’ve done the stretch between Antibes and Nice so many times, and having so many people turn up to join us made it truly special. I felt happy, proud, deeply moved by everyone who came out to support us, but also a bit sad that the journey was over.
Running over 1,000 km in extreme conditions is brutal on gear. What was it like relying on the calf sleeves and Stay Fresh kit when heat, sweat, and fatigue were at all-time highs?
It was really reassuring to know we had everything we needed to pull off the project. We had the best gear and the best support team; in reality, it meant it was all on us, which I loved. Being able to manage all the controllable factors without worrying about gear failure stopping us in our tracks was incredible. It’s one less thing on your mind. On the run, the Stay Fresh range really helped regulate our body temperature during intense heatwaves. Oscar and I both loved the Ice Cap, which we filled with ice cubes, especially in the afternoons—it also kept us from getting sunburned on the neck and ears. I also really appreciated the arm sleeves: in extreme conditions, my sweat created a cooling effect that felt great without being too intense or dropping my core temperature too abruptly. The calf sleeves were also incredibly effective; I felt stronger day after day, and they definitely helped speed up that adaptation.
Could you share the final numbers with us? (Total mileage, number of days on the road, peak temperature recorded, and total donations raised so far?)
In the end, we covered 1,761 km across 30 days of running, with zero rest days (our "rest day" was actually our shortest run: the final day, when we ran 38 km to reach the finish). The peak temperature we recorded was just under 38°C, with a feels-like temperature of 42°C on the asphalt. To date, we have raised €12,787.
