Raid Caneo Nature 2008

Frances Largest Adventure Race

The first Raid Canéo Nature will be setting off from Yvelines on July 28, 2008

Departing from the Place d’Armes in Versailles 

The 40 teams enrolled for the first Raid Canéo Nature will be setting off from the Place d’Armes in Versailles on July 28 on horseback.  

The chosen discipline for the crossing of the Yvelines area will be “ride and run”.  Each team comprising four competitors (including at least one woman) will have two riders and two “trailers” to cover this 56 km route taking them out into the heart of an attractive natural environment as they cross the département.

Over the space of 11 days, taking in more than 1000 kilometres on foot, on horseback, by kayak, by rollerblade and by mountain bike crossing mountains and forests, canals, streams and rivers, not forgetting the sea, canyoning, caving, abseiling or via ferrata, these 160 advanced to top-level sportsmen and women will be making their way to Marseilles from Versailles.  They will be crossing a France largely unknown or badly known by many of our fellow citizens, including one of the richest and most diverse environments in the world, featuring a wealth of cultural and historical heritage unrivalled anywhere else on earth. 

With this in mind, the decision was taken to start the race in Yvelines, an area known for its marvellous historical sites.  What many people do not realise however, is that Yvelines is also a valuable “lung” for the Paris region, a splendid natural setting in which virtually all kinds of sports are practiced, with horse riding taking pride of place.

Over above the excellent symbol represented by Versailles, the choice of Yvelines as the starting point for this exciting event will also make it possible to put the spotlight on some less famous and occasionally unknown and unexpected sites just a stone’s throw from the Paris conurbation.

The complete and detailed race route for this first Raid Canéo Nature will be announced shortly before the start date to avoid prior reconnaissance.  It will be passing through eleven départements, guaranteed to reveal no shortage of outstanding natural and cultural attractions.  

The 160 competitors enrolled for this first event come from very different backgrounds.  Some are hardcore veterans of numerous rallies from around the world while others have participated in a small number of the 700 short rallies organized each year in France.  All are well trained sportsmen and women, and have carefully prepared for the various disciplines on the event programme.  However, to take account of the differing ability levels and to ensure that everyone can get the best from their adventure without exceeding their capacity, at the end of the first stage they will be dividing into three separate categories: “Extreme” for the best trained athletes, “Raider” for competitors with a good level and “Adventure” for those with an excellent physical condition but who have trained less intensively.

The routes differ in length according to the category but all of the participants will be crossing France, making their way to Marseille day and night, with five short pauses to mark the end of each stage.  At each changeover of activity, the competitors will be joined by two fellow team members who are not involved in the race but who will be managing the sports equipment and supplies with devotion and efficiency!

Drawn from all sections of society, and aged from 17 to 57 years old, the competitors in this Raid Canéo Nature are shining examples of the new breed of enthusiasts for what is today becoming known as “sustainable sport”.  They stand as living examples of forward-looking sporting behaviour, being health conscious, focused, determined to live better, and to put the spotlight on our environment and everything which comprises our culture.

Each year, the Raid Canéo Nature will be covering a new route, revealing France from a new angle as it crosses the country.

                                                             Paul PELLETIER

The RAID CANEO NATURE