Grand Raid
The Grand Raid de la Réunion, also called La diagonale des fous (The Bishops'/Madmen's Diagonal) is a mountain ultramarathon race. The race takes place annually in October on Réunion island, a French overseas department in the Indian Ocean, situated between Madagascar and Mauritius. The 166 km route with 10,000 m of elevation gain is reputed to be highly challenging, brutally difficult and one of the hardest footraces in the world. Category of course 

Three races are held at the same time:
 the Grand-Raid or Diagonale des Fous —  with  of altitude gain
 the Semi-Raid or Trail of Bourbon —  with  of gain
 Mascareignes Raid —  with  of gain

Dates of races in 2017 

 25th edition of the Diagonale des fous: 19 to 22 October 
 18th edition of the Trail de Bourbon: October 
 7th edition of the Mascareignes: October

Death 
This race has recorded three deaths since its inception. The 2002 edition was marked by the death of Gérard Bordage in the descent of the Kerveguen hillside and that of the Dutchman Guus Smit in the rampart of the Roche Écrite; while that of 2012 sees the death of Thierry Delaprez after a fall in a ravine at the Col de Fourche. Winners

Men

Women

References

Related books 

 "Grand Raid Reunion Island", a 68 pages comic book edited by UltraBD

External links

Official web site of Grand Raid de la Réunion
Official forum of the web site of Grand Raid de la Réunion

Ultra-Trail World Tour
Sports competitions in Réunion
Athletics in Réunion
Recurring sporting events established in 1989
1989 establishments in Réunion
Ultramarathons in France
Trail running competitions