The tireless Jacques Morel, vice-world champion in ultramarathon at 75 years old

Who says long distance, or even very long distance, says... Jacques Morel! World champion in his category last year in ultramarathon, the member of the Sainte-Maxime Athlé club did not achieve the double but put in a very good performance by finishing in second place, synonymous with the title of vice world champion.

This "Gomu" (World Ultramarathon Organization) world championship took place in Ardèche, in Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, as part of the "6 Days of France" organized at the beginning of May.

The "6 Days of France" race is the longest official loop race in France. The goal is simple: to cover the greatest distance over six days on a 1.1km circuit.

Slowed down by injury on the last day

The 75-year-old Maximois covered... 502.694km, an average of 83km per day! He finished 77th overall out of the 141 competitors who started.

The low number of participating runners is explained by the fact that a sort of "sports passport" is required to take part in this type of extreme and extraordinary event. Jacques Morel, thanks to his various exploits, notably the one achieved in the Mauritanian desert, is one of them, thanks also to his steely mentality, which is well above average.

The latter was a little disappointed with his title of vice world champion. " It's especially frustrating because I blocked my back on the last day when I was first in my category [veteran 8] and the world title was within my grasp again. I finished the race but walking ," emphasizes the exceptional athlete who, before his injury, was in ^40th place in the overall standings.

The 2025 ultramarathon world vice-champion now has his sights set on the 1,000km European Championship, which will take place in Italy at Lake Garda in September.

In the meantime, he is treating his back to be at 100% of his capacity in a little over three months and try to win a European title!