“The lion of Guyana”
Le Saux, an authentic Ultra Running globetrotter, does not go unobserved: small and petite in stature (1 metre and 63 cm and 57 kg in weight) is recognisable for his lion’s mane often left untied.
A versatile athlete (he first practiced athletics and triathlons), for the last several years he has established himself in the trail world, in particular in long stage races. In 2008 he was in the group of climbers roped together who were attempting to climb Pumori when an enormous block of ice hit Corinne Favre: Cristophe was among those who helped the friend and took her back down to base camp, saving her life.
In 2010 he started the Tor, but problems with his knee forced him to retire in Valtournanche. In 2011 he came second, despite a major crisis which struck at 70 km from the finish line and his left knee swelled to the size of a melon. “The Tor des Géants is not the longest trail, but it is certainly the toughest in the world, for the climbs and especially the descents which you have to face”.
CRISTOPHE LE SAUX
Bib number 634 – 2nd - 84:09:46 at the Tor des Géants 2011
Spirito Trail, November 2011 / extract