User:Tardif89/Aurélien Sanchez

Aurélien Sanchez is a French ultra-trail runner who has achieved impressive feats in the sport. Born in Ariège, France, Sanchez is attached to his native region. He graduated from INSA Toulouse in 2014 and later lived in Phoenix, Arizona, where he discovered trail running and developed a passion for ultra-trail challenges.

On September 14, 2018, he set the fastest known time (FKT) for the John Muir Trail, completing the race in 3 days, 3 hours, 55 minutes, and 10 seconds, while also doing it without assistance.

In 2021, Sanchez has also completed the 930 km and 55,000 m of elevation gain on the GR10, which runs along the entire Pyrenees range, in 12 days, 5 hours, and 22 minutes, in full self-sufficiency, carrying only a 2kg backpack. He started his journey in Banyuls-sur-Mer, on the Mediterranean coast, and finished in Hendaye, on the Atlantic coast, breaking the record previously held by Thierry Corbarieu. In an interview with Distances+ after the feat, Sanchez said he did not prepare specifically for the challenge and counted on his basic endurance and a few mountain outings to accumulate elevation gain. He also worked on his mental preparation, anticipating the challenges he would face.

On March 16, 2023, he became the first French finisher of the Barkley Marathons by completing the 5 loops in 58 hours, 42 minutes, and 23 seconds, since John Kelly accomplished the feat in 2017.

Sanchez started his journey in ultra-trail running while he lived in the United States for four years. He discovered the sport and set a prestigious FKT on the John Muir Trail in California. He has also won the "Le dernier homme debout" race in Vendée, covering 107 km and 3400 m of elevation gain in 13 hours and 54 minutes, shortly after returning to France.

Although the pandemic caused many races to be canceled, Sanchez was not discouraged and took advantage of the opportunity to tackle his Pyrenees challenge. He lives near Carcassonne, in the Aude region, and has been inspired by Mike Horn, an adventurer who believes in living each day to the fullest. Sanchez completed his journey with only the essentials in his backpack and a few planned food stops, relying on his endurance and mental preparation to overcome the challenges he faced along the way.