Mathieu Blanchard, Blandine L'Hirondel, Ludovic Pommeret, Théo Détienne… The trail runners to watch in Clem Qui Court's backyard

Dubbed "Les 25 heures qui courent" and billed as "the biggest backyard on the Internet", the event dreamed up by Clément Deffrenne, aka Clemquicourt, aims to bring together two worlds that are now closely linked: ultra-trail and content creation. While the race will gather plenty of well-known faces from the Internet and social media (influencers and streamers), the field will also include genuine professional trail runners, well known in France and sometimes internationally. So which of the trail regulars should you keep an eye on?

Blandine L’Hirondel

Winner of the Diagonale des Fous in 2025 and the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2026, she is the best-known and most decorated trail runner on this backyard's start list. A two-time trail world champion, 2022 European trail champion and three-time French trail champion, she will wear bib 02. The Kiprun athlete, currently at a training camp in Font-Romeu, said: "I don't have a goal, I'll keep going as long as I'm having fun."

Mathieu Blanchard

Known to the general public for his appearance on Koh Lanta, the French athlete has a few things in common with Blandine L'Hirondel: he's a Kiprun athlete, he's at the same camp in Font-Romeu this week, and he has already won the Diagonale des Fous, in 2024. Beyond being an ultra runner, Mathieu Blanchard is regarded as an adventurer and a mountain running specialist. After taming the Diagonale des Fous on his first attempt in 23h25, he went on to win the Yukon Arctic Ultra, an extraordinary victory over more than 600 km in extreme polar conditions (-40°) in the Canadian far north. In 2026, he stood out at the Lapland Arctic Ultra, a 185 km extreme race in Swedish Lapland, which he dominated in 1 day, 14 hours and 13 minutes. Despite that impressive record, Mathieu Blanchard is not expected to complete 25 loops this weekend. The engineer by training had surgery two months ago for Haglund's deformity and has only just eased back into training. On his invitation card for Les 25 heures qui courent, the stated goal is a single loop, or 5.7 km.

Ludovic Pommeret

Winner of the UTMB in 2016, the Diagonale des Fous in 2021, and the famed Hardrock 100 in 2024, 2025 and 2026, Ludovic Pommeret is one of the headliners of this backyard and one of France's very best trail runners. At 51, he keeps impressing and surprising with his longevity. A professional only since 2025, the man nicknamed "the President" belongs to the world trail elite and will be one of the main names to follow. Although he is also coming back from injury, he should be among the favorites to reach 25 loops.

Hugo Deck

The organizers haven't confirmed it yet, but it looks like it will be made official in the next few hours. Recent winner of the Diagonale des Fous on October 16, Hugo Deck is among the biggest names signed up for Les 25 heures qui courent. By winning the famous Grand Raid at just 26, he wrote his name into French trail history. Before that feat, the Adidas-sponsored athlete had already won the Swiss Canyon Trail twice and the Maxi-Race Lac d'Annecy (2025 and 2026). The question is how fresh he'll be, only three weeks after his performance on Réunion Island. His presence makes him a serious contender for the win and lifts an already exceptional field even higher.

Mathieu Delpeuch

Originally from the Cantal, the engineer by training made a name for himself this summer with a 9th place at the CCC, the UTMB's 107 km race with 6,200 meters of climbing. Since then, he has confirmed his form with a standout run at the Rock'Voizine (50.5 km, 1,834 m D+), which he won in under 4h30. The Brooks-sponsored athlete is particularly committed to promoting a more responsible, environmentally friendly kind of trail running. On Instagram, he was introduced as one of the favorites, capable of matching Théo Détienne. His 2026 season backs that up: keep an eye on Mathieu Delpeuch and his bib number 80.

Benoît Girondel

Two-time winner of the Diagonale des Fous (2017 and 2018) and of the Endurance Trail des Templiers (2014 and 2016), the 40-year-old hasn't been in the spotlight for a few years but remains an ultra-trail specialist. He, too, should be aiming for all 25 loops. His experience could well keep him among the last runners standing this weekend.

Théo Détienne

Théo Détienne may have more than 280,000 followers on Instagram, but first and foremost he is a high-level professional trail runner, and one to watch on this backyard. After winning the 90 km du Mont-Blanc in 2025 and the 100 km of the Trail Alsace Grand Est UTMB in 2024, he joined the Brooks team on January 13, 2026. Following a tough UTMB this summer, the runner wearing bib number 1 will be keen to shine at the race organized by his friend Clément Deffrenne.

Aurélien Sanchez

The XXL cast doesn't stop there, as Aurélien Sanchez will also be on the start line. He is the first Frenchman to finish the famous Barkley, considered one of the most unusual and difficult races in the ultra-trail world. Sanchez is also known for completing the Pacific Crest Trail, the crossing of the USA from Mexico to Canada, setting a new record of 45 days for roughly 4,265 km. Able to run for 45 hours straight, he should without a doubt be among the last runners on the course. In a video posted on Instagram this morning, the ultra runner laid out his strategy. He has run only 180 km over the past six weeks so he arrives fresh after a grueling summer. He also plans to leave himself as little recovery time as possible by running as slowly as he can.

I plan to be the runner who rests the least.

Stéphanie Gicquel

She's more of a road ultra runner than a trail runner, but we felt she had to be named among the big names on the start list. She is best known for her records and titles over 100 km, yet she has also won the Ultra Marin (175 km) five times. After stringing together two 100 km races in a single week last month, the 44-year-old will probably be one of the last women to start the final loops. She holds the French 24-hour record with 252 km.

Manon Baudry, a trail coach who finished 31st woman at the Diagonale des Fous three weeks ago, could also have a card to play.