“DL” in the race: we tested the Neufont Lake Trail hike

It's 8:45 a.m. when we pull into the parking lot. Many trail runners are there, putting on their shoes and starting to warm up. The start of the long course is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., but we decide to get a head start. Before leaving, we have a little chocolate croissant, a croissant, and a coffee. Quick sweets to kick-start the effort. One of the volunteers shows us the course, which we take a photo of so as not to get lost in the woods of Saint-Amand-de-Vergt. And off we go on an adventure!

Competition refreshments

We first walk along the Neufont campsite until we reach a road. There, an arrow on the ground indicates that we should go straight ahead, into the woods. The signs and the barrier tape will remain with us during this very well-marked hike. The paths are clear and very smooth. We pass by a cornfield before plunging onto a stony path that will make a great spot for photos. Since we're a bit ahead, we wait for the first runners of the 19 km, who soon arrive. Like bullets, they race down the slope. The camera captures the moment, in bursts.

After the descent, the riders must climb back up. Then comes a short steep climb, which we also take. As in a mountain stage of the Tour de France, we pull over to the side of the road and applaud the effort.

After five kilometers, we arrive at the refreshment station. The volunteers at the Neufont campsite offer us food and drink. The refreshment station also serves as a separation between the two routes. The 19 km continues straight ahead, and we turn. After walking for 8 km, Lake Neufont appears before us, as the announcer announces: "The first 19 km finishers will be here soon." Quick, let's pick up the pace.

As a result, we arrived two minutes before the winner of the 9 km, followed closely by the winner of the 19 km, all in a great atmosphere. Not bad for a first edition.