Marche Roanne – Thiers, why not you?

Published 5 / 10 / 2022 Reading time: 10 min

You the Sunday sportsman who, when you are told “do you play sports? » answer by « what is this thing? What if I challenged you to embark on the Roanne – Thiers adventure. For my part, it took me a bet to dare to take up this challenge. Come on, let me tell you... 

It was during a meal with family and friends, the day before I turned 34, that with enthusiasm (and a bit of madness), I bet on doing Roanne-Thiers. Moreover, for the anecdote, it is necessary to know that it is a bet which is at the origin of Roanne-Thiers. If you want to know more, visit our page dedicated to this famous march. During this meal, everyone had already done it once or several times. I said to myself: this is the year to try the experiment. Well accompanied, they will be able to guide me in my training and give me courage... 
So if you too say to yourself “what if I took up the challenge”, I give you my humble tips for success. 

The keys to success 

Key n°1: Wear good shoes 

First step for me (and essential for all!), heading to a specialized store to find shoes that fit. After a thorough analysis of my feet and especially my support, I found the pair that suited me. I opted for trail sneakers. But if you're more comfortable in real hiking shoes, it's up to you. What you need to know is that Roanne – Thiers and its 57 kilometers is more than 90% by road. I preferred lighter and more flexible shoes to ensure more comfort along the length. 

Key n°2: Practice 

So, as you will have understood, I am a real Sunday sportswoman. The longest walk I had to do before my first training was 6 kilometers with my family. You see, how we can start from afar. So I started with a first training, alone, on a course of 13 kilometers with no elevation. All this to test my new shoes and see if I could walk more than 10 kilometers! Afterwards, with my acolytes, we chained the training sessions and, as we went along, lengthened the distance and added difficulty.

Key #3: Don't be reluctant 

As a reminder, Roanne – Thiers (or Thiers – Roanne depending on the year) is a night walk from Saturday to Sunday, always the first weekend of December. Two elements that should not be minimized. It is therefore also necessary to prepare for the weather conditions and to walk at night. So we started to train in the evening, after working days. No matter what time was announced, we were leaving. 18 p.m. to midnight, 00 hours of walking to train the thighs, calves, joints and above all prepare the mind! 

The deadlines 

D-2 months 

You understood, we started our team training at the beginning of October. First by reasonable distances with several exits around 20 kilometers. The first with little elevation around La Bénisson-Dieu and Briennon (a mix of circuits 31 and 32 of the topoguide of the Pays de Charlieu-Belmont). Then, gradually, we add difficulty by increasing the drop, around Montagny, Coutouvre, La Gresle. The Roannais is a real paradise for hikers. These trainings allowed me to realize the natural richness of our territory. If you are looking for hiking ideas, Click here. 

D-1 months 

Distances are extended. We move on to 30 kilometer outings, mainly around the pretty village of Perrous and we walk at night, in all weathers. I remember very well one outing in the rain, at night, when we were able to count more than 30 salamanders!  

I also take the opportunity to prepare the mind by hiking 18 kilometers in the pouring rain. And I can tell you that, at that time, I crossed my fingers not to have this weather for 57 kilometers on D-Day! 

J-15 

We decide to do the chestnut walk Saint-Haon-le-Chatel, 35 kilometers and almost 1300 meters of altitude difference. For me, it was an essential training, both psychologically and physically. From the first kilometres, I said to myself “but what am I doing here?! Indeed, over the first 15 kilometers there was a lot of elevation and I admit that on Sunday at 7:30 am, my body was not used to providing such intense efforts! But on arrival, immense satisfaction and above all the feeling of telling myself that I could perhaps achieve my goal. Indeed, when I embarked on the adventure, the days that followed I doubted my ability to do so. There, with this march, the idea of ​​succeeding finally crossed my mind. 

J-5 

Short outing: 18 kilometres. The goal: warm up the muscles without hurting yourself, avoid injuries and acclimatize to the temperature and weather conditions. It had snowed earlier in the week. The opportunity to test the rest of the equipment and to realize the adjustments to be made. 

J-3 

I must admit that the stress of the big meeting is mounting. I raid the stores to find a new jacket (thicker and more waterproof), a poncho and a new bag.
Finally, I proceed to my online registration. No more going back. However, when I see the forecast forecast, I say to myself: "but what am I doing..." 

the day before 

I pack my bag and prepare my things. I feel like I'm on the eve of a new school year. The clothes ready on the table and the bag filled with my equipment… Stress and excitement are there. Can't wait to see if I can surpass myself. 

A few hours before the big departure 

I put all the chances on my side by giving myself a nap. A sleepless night hasn't happened to me for a long time. We have a dinner of champions with the program: pasta, mashed potatoes and cooked ham. Note: on the occasion of the Telethon which takes place the same weekend, many Roanne associations organize take-out sales. We made the choice to take ham/mash from theFestibaye association (La Bénisson-Dieu) to give us all the energy we need. 

1 hour before the big departure 

We arrive at the hall, we register (we had already done our online registration a few days earlier) and we get our bag which this year replaces the first supply. NB: remember to leave some space in your bag to hold these snacks. 

23h 

Everyone is under the departure arch. The excitement has come to a climax. We find friends who are also embarking on this challenge. Some running, others walking but at a faster pace than us. This departure is an opportunity to meet and encourage each other. In our group, the novice that I am is growing wings! Midnight ! Come on, let's go!   

The first few miles are crazy. This year, we are 1305 participants to start. I can tell you that at the exit of Roanne to Villemontais, the show is nice. A great caterpillar of lights that meanders our Roannaise coast. 

So, as you will have understood, the purpose of my article is not to tell you about the route in detail but it is above all to make you want to embark on this great sporting and human adventure. You who said to yourself one day “So me, Roanne-Thiers, never! and if you take up the challenge? Personally, the adage "never say never" has taken on its full meaning for me.  

12h

After running part of the last kilometers, we arrived at 12:02! 57 kilometres, more than 1500 meters of elevation and therefore 12 hours of walking, mostly under the snow. This feeling of pride on arrival is indescribable. Proud to have surpassed myself, proud to have held on, proud of all of us. I almost shed a tear but to tell the truth, it's rather the smile that hasn't left me all day. I did this walk for myself, to prove to myself that, even without great physical capacity, I was capable of meeting somewhat crazy challenges.  

If I had only one piece of advice to give you, it would be to dare then go for it!!! 

This feeling of pride on arrival is indescribable. Proud to have surpassed myself, proud to have held on, proud of all of us.

Frédérique

I take advantage of this article to say a big thank you to:

• my teammates without whom I would never have had an experience like this,
• my husband, my parents, my parents-in-law who, even if they worried a lot (“why are you doing such a thing when you never walk?!”), were there to support me and take care of my children when I needed time for my training,
• all my loved ones (family, friends, colleagues), who encouraged me throughout my training, who sent me dozens of messages to boost me and who flooded me with messages of congratulations.