Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz sets new GR20 record in 27:29
© Rising StoryStarting from Calenzana at 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, Savoyard runner Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz reached Conca 27:29 later, the traditional finish of the GR20 crossing in Corsica. The 33-year-old ultrarunner smashed François d’Haene’s record, set in July, by 2:15.
The 2026 ultra-trail season has delivered one astonishing performance after another. First came the American Ben Dhiman’s victory at the UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix at the end of August, in under 19 hours. Then, around ten days ago, German runner Katharina Harthmuth finished third overall at the Tor des Géants 330, a first in the event’s history. And now comes this new GR20 record, set over the past two days by Frenchman Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz.
A season devoted to preparing for the crossing
He did not race much on the biggest stages this season, putting everything into a meticulous preparation plan for a record on the legendary Corsican trail. Over the past few months, he turned this brutally technical and demanding route into terrain that suited him perfectly. He had made it his own, absorbing every section through repeated reconnaissance and crossings completed in four days, then three, over the past few years.
A blistering pace from the outset
From 5 a.m. on Thursday, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz looked completely at home. The blistering pace he set from the first kilometres left even his pacers stunned. They were no slouches themselves, with Diego Pazos, Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon and Théo Détienne all drawn into this wild adventure. On the most technical sections, they even appeared to struggle to match the pace imposed by the former winner of the Hardrock and the Grand Raid de la Réunion in 2023.
© Rising Story
© Rising StoryObservers wondered whether it was sensible to attack the 166 km and 12,000 m of elevation gain at such a pace. Would Aurélien blow up, or was he simply banking as many kilometres as possible before the long night ahead, when progress would inevitably slow, as it had for François d’Haene,?
In reality, those questions were beside the point. The answer emerged with every passing kilometre: no, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz had not overestimated either the task or his pace, and his lead over François d’Haene’s benchmark continued to grow relentlessly across the kilometres and the mountains of rock underfoot.
Savouring the final miles
With 17 km to go at Col de Bavella, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz finally showed a slight dip in pace. But the hard work was done, and his lead was large enough for him to approach his goal with confidence: setting a new record on these mountains he holds so dear, in 27:29.
The record was ratified by the Corsican FFME league, triggering a visible outpouring of emotion from Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, who broke down in tears as he finally sat on a rock at the finish in Conca.
I thought I could break 29 hours. Secretly, I had set myself a target of 28:30, and I dreamed of going under 28 hours…
Taking nearly two hours and fifteen minutes off the previous record, Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz moved through the crossing like he was living out his wildest dream: seemingly calm, light on his feet, composed and in complete control. Another masterclass in an utterly wild 2026 season.