Seb Chaigneau

Ultra runner

As a successful ultra-trail athlete and an energetic outdoor enthusiast, Seb runs 150-200km every week, but wherever in the world he finds himself, he always steps out with the same objectives: to be dazzled by nature, to discover new places, to explore his body’s potential and to share his challenges with others.

Quick Facts

Hometown

La Vienne, France

Homebase

Haute Savoie, France

Biggest dream

To enjoy new challenges in new countries.

How do I focus

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Best advice

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What inspires you?

Nature. And finding animals on the trail or meeting people from diverse cultures.

Words to live by

To take pleasure while respecting the environment.

Favourite other fitness exercise

Cross-country skiing and mountain-biking

I don’t leave home without my...

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Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/sebchaigneau/

Top 5 career highlights

  • 1st place and new record at the Hardrock 100 in USA (2013)
  • 3rd place at the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc (2011)
  • 1st place and new record at Transgrancanaria in Spain (2012)
  • 3rd place at Zolkan 4 Days (2016)
  • 1st place at the Ultra Trail Mount Fuji STY in Japan (2015)

Biography

Seb arrived in the world of ultra running relatively late; but this meant he was able to bring a wealth of unique personal experiences. As a child growing up in La Vienne, in the ‘flatlands’ of France, he excelled at road cycling and athletics and later specialised in the steeplechase. With a lifelong love of nature, he went on to work in the research lab at Marineland in Antibes before joining the special Alpine division of the French Army with which he climbed 30 mountains.

With his twin passions for athletics and outdoor adventure, it was inevitable that Seb would soon discover the thrill of trail running. After leaving the army, he signed up for a 50km trail run on Mount Ferion in 2001. He was soon addicted and began training, studying and preparing for longer ultra races. He won the Libyan Challenge three times from 2007 to 2009, placed second in the 2009 edition of Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, and triumphed in the Transgrancanaria races of 2012 and 2013. But memories matter more to him than trophies. When winning the gruelling Hardrock 100 race in America in 2013, he was as happy to see the rugged landscapes and wild animals as he was to pick up his medal.

Seb now lives in the beautiful mountains of France’s Haute Savoie and schedules his training around his family commitments, often taking a photograph of his children to inspire him during his runs. A knowledgeable expert in endurance, nutrition and training science, Seb is now both a student and a master of his sport. He shares his passion for ultra running through educating and inspiring others to hit the trails.

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