Injured, Ludovic Pommeret gives away his Templiers bib and offers race support at Millau

Forced to withdraw from the Endurance Trail des Templiers because of a foot injury, Ludovic Pommeret has turned his frustration into a generous gesture. The Frenchman is giving away his bib for the 100-kilometre race in Millau and, together with his wife Céline, will provide support for the runner who gets it.

He was due to return to the Templiers, eight years after his last appearance. Instead, Ludovic Pommeret will not be on the start line of the Endurance Trail, scheduled for Friday, October 16 in Millau, with the race starting at 4:00 a.m. The course covers 100 kilometres and features 4,309 metres of elevation gain.

The 2016 UTMB and 2021 Diagonale des Fous winner, as well as a three-time Hardrock 100 champion, was injured while doing some DIY work on September 2. An angle grinder severed a tendon in his foot. Forced to spend several weeks unable to put any weight on it, the 51-year-old Frenchman must also postpone the knee surgery he had scheduled. His bib, however, will not go unused.

“We thought we could be useful”

Ludovic Pommeret decided to give it away through a contest on his social media channels. To enter, participants must be capable of running more than 100 kilometres, not already have a bib and not have their own support crew.

Because the prize goes well beyond a simple place on the start line. Ludovic and his wife Céline will provide support themselves at all five aid stations on the Endurance Trail: “Céline has been handling my aid-station support for at least 15 years, so I know what it means to be able to count on someone and have my own supplies,” explains Ludovic Pommeret.

That is valuable experience in a 100-kilometre race, where managing nutrition, kit and the runner’s needs can become decisive as the hours tick by. Ludovic Pommeret’s partner, Private Sport Shop, is also adding a Näak pack and a pair of HOKA shoes to the prize. Although he will be absent from the trails, the French ultrarunner will still be in Millau. This time, he will not be trying to cross the finish line himself. He will help someone else get there. A wonderful initiative.