Mad’Yard 2026

"Mad", really? Them? Never 😱. But you will become after doing this CRAZY event! 🫨

La Léchère, Valmorel, Savoie, Tarentaise, French Alps ⛰️, melting snow ❄️, climbing trails, and May sunshine playing hide-and-seek with the clouds 🌤️... Do you need more reasons to lace up your sneakers? 👟 Because honestly, between the 1,400 meters above sea level, the stunning views of the Savoy peaks 📈 and the air that hits your lungs in just the right way 🫁, here, even suffering is done with class 😎. You really have to not like mountain running to resist the call of the Mad'Yard 🏔️.

Baby of the Mad'Trail 👶 family, this novelty joins the range of wacky events that runners of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes have a knack for inventing. The principle? A standard Backyard Ultra: a loop of 6 km with 170 meters of positive elevation gain, to repeat every hour, as many times as you want... or rather, as many times as your legs will allow! 😬 And since it's May 1st 💐, know that while others parade with banners, you're parading with your trail shoes 🏃. It's another form of activism. The activism of those who love to beat themselves up beautifully 💪.

As for the course, let's not lie: 6 km seems short. And it is. The first loop, you're fresh, smiling 😀, greeting everyone 👋, taking photos 📸. The second, you're still in shape. The third, you start counting the stones. The fourth... let's say the view of the Tarentaise and snowy peaks 🏔️ takes on its full meaning at this point, because you need something beautiful to hold onto to keep going 😂. The Valmorel trails take you into a postcard-like Savoyard setting 🎫: pastures, forests, scree, and those views of the Alps that remind you why you're here rather than staying on your couch 🛋️. And to think that in winter, these same slopes welcome skiers who have no idea what you're going through... 🎿

What makes the Mad'Yard truly unique, and this is where the Backyard Ultra format is a genius invention (or madness, depending 🤪), is that there will only be one finisher. One. Uno. Ein. 1️⃣ No podium for three ❌, no medal for everyone 🥇. The last runner still in the race to complete their loop within the allocated time wins the prize 🏆. All others are eliminated, one by one, over the hours 🫣. This isn't a race against the clock ⏱️, it's a race against yourself, against your mind that starts telling stories around the fourth or fifth loop 🧠. "You could stop there, that's already very good 👍." "Aren't you a bit hungry? 😋" "It seems it's going to rain ☔️." Your brain, your worst enemy 😅. The Mad'Yard, it's the ultimate mental challenge disguised as a little mountain jog 🫡.

And when you turn in your race bib, whether after 2 loops or 12, La Léchère welcomes you with open arms for a recovery worthy of the name 🤗. Because yes, the Savoyard Alps don’t do things halfway when it comes to the table either 🍽️. Head to the village restaurants to tackle a well-deserved Savoyard fondue 🧀 (with local cheese, of course, we're in Savoie 😎), or a tartiflette that will recharge your batteries in no time 🔋. The terraces of Valmorel in spring are also a pleasure in themselves: a glass of Roussette de Savoie 🍷 with a view of the still snowy peaks is the kind of finish you don't plan but don't forget (attention, alcohol should be consumed in moderation ⚠️). And if you have energy left (which we very much doubt, but you never know 🙃) the Tarentaise region is full of treasures to explore: medieval castles 🏰, charming villages 🏘️, and of course the thermal baths of La Léchère, to give you fresh legs before hitting the road again ✨.

In the end, there will only be one left! 🫵