Beñat Marmissolle of France carried out like clockwork to take second on the 2023 Hardrock 100. On this interview, Beñat talks about how he tried to run inside himself all race lengthy, what it was wish to run solo in a spot as wild as Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, and if he’d wish to take part on this occasion once more sometime.
For extra on how the race performed out, learn our in-depth Hardrock 100 outcomes article.
Beñat Marmissolle Publish-2023 Hardrock 100 Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Meghan Hicks of iRunFar. I’m with Beñat Marmissolle. It’s the day after the 2023 Hardrock 100. Félicitations, congratulations, Beñat.
Beñat Marmissolle: Thanks very a lot.
iRunFar: It’s the day after the race. How is your physique, and the way is your thoughts feeling in the present day?
Marmissolle: [In French, via translator] So, I used to be capable of sleep very effectively final night time. My physique’s feeling nice, and likewise I’m extremely joyful of the race generally.
iRunFar: Now that it’s sooner or later after Hardrock, what does your thoughts really feel concerning the race? What’s your full impression of the expertise?
Marmissolle: Yeah, effectively, first I’m speechless about it. The mountains, they have been beautiful. You not often see one thing so beautiful in a 100-mile ultramarathon. It is a great race.
iRunFar: It looks like you managed your race so effectively. You have been constant in your pace from begin to end. Did it really feel that method for you on the market?
Marmissolle: Yeah, I imply, that’s precisely the way it felt to me. I had my sport plan. I used to be racing my very own race, following my tempo. As , I didn’t have a pacer all race lengthy. I used to be on my own and simply actually racing my very own race and never occupied with anybody else. And I used to be capable of keep fixed by way of pace and power the entire time.
iRunFar: In your thoughts, have been you operating as a competitor? Eager about the boys in entrance of you, and behind you, or have been you fully making an attempt to run inside your self and nevertheless the competitors occurred, it occurred?
Marmissolle: Yeah, so after all I used to be conscious of who was forward of me, who was behind me, how far they have been. However generally, I feel it’s best to keep away from falling into the lure of focusing an excessive amount of on the place the hole is rising or lowering. You need to take into consideration what you are able to do and can’t do to just be sure you have a superb race. So sure, I used to be conscious of Aurélien [Dunand-Pallaz] forward of me and folks behind me, and I simply stored on my race and stored on going.
iRunFar: For races right here in America, this course is among the many wildest. Like, you’ll be able to’t actually have a race in America in a a lot wilder place. And also you selected to run by means of the night time and not using a pacer. You have been all by your self in one of many wildest locations {that a} race could be. What was that like for you?
Marmissolle: Yeah, effectively. Yeah, I used to be really very enthusiastic about that. When you concentrate on it, I’m a beast myself and I used to be anticipating the night time to return and listen to these noises round me and have the wildlife. I used to be not scared in any respect. In reality, I used to be enthusiastic about it.
iRunFar: So did you see any wildlife? We talked quite a bit in your pre-race interview about bears and about potential wildlife. What did you see?
Marmissolle: Yeah, I did come throughout many animals, however particularly, there was a bear that got here. There was a bear on the path once I was coming on my own. And often bears, I’ve seen eight bears within the final three weeks, however often they only run away. However this time, he was a little bit extra curious. So, he checked out me, and he began getting in my path, and I needed to speak with him. I mentioned, “[a phrase in French]” However sadly, the bear doesn’t converse French. So, he didn’t perceive. However finally he moved the aspect of the path. After which he simply stored me impressed by how sturdy of a runner I’m.
iRunFar: [laughs] So, can we are saying perhaps half of that was the reality and half was the story?
Marmissolle: No, no.
iRunFar: It’s true.
Marmissolle: It’s all true. Sure, sure. Sure.
iRunFar: The bear doesn’t converse French. That is very humorous.
Marmissolle: That’s the ninth bear I noticed, and none of them converse French.
iRunFar: I’ve checked with each one in all them. Was that within the nighttime or the daytime? Did you could have worry? I feel most individuals would have, for a bear not operating away from you, after which particularly alone in the course of the race. Like, I feel I’d have numerous worry.
Marmissolle: Sure. I used to be a little bit apprehensive, however I did have some fairly good cookies in my bag. So, I knew perhaps I might feed him that.
iRunFar: [laughs] I really like this. Passing by means of the night time on this wild place. So not a lot worry, however extra like surprise and pleasure to have the ability to do that by your self.
Marmissolle: Yeah, that’s precisely proper. Extra excited than scared or something.
iRunFar: I actually loved the look in your face and the celebration that you simply made with your loved ones on the end line yesterday. Are you able to share a little bit bit about how that felt and what that was like for you?
Marmissolle: Yeah, I imply that’s a really private expertise, and naturally so many feelings popping out . So many issues taking place. Yeah, I imply, initially, simply this race generally, Hardrock generally, it’s a implausible expertise. I beloved it. And it was such an unbelievable feeling, even simply to complete this race. It’s a really difficult race. After which to have the ability to end behind Aurélien [Dunand-Pallaz], which he had a implausible race, he was very sturdy all day lengthy. He actually deserved to win. However for me, to complete second, that’s a dream come true. And it is a victory for me, after all, but additionally all for my household which might be supporting me the entire yr. Day in and time out. It’s, sure, I used to be operating this weekend, however they’re there the total yr to assist me. And so they have been there to spectate, which feels great.
iRunFar: And for the oldsters watching, we have now a extremely large viewers for this interview. The entire household is watching us have this interview. There’s a sure spirit that’s the Hardrock race. And for me, once I see you, it looks like you match that spirit, and that spirit matches you. Is that this a race or a spot that you simply suppose you’ll come again to sometime?
Marmissolle: Yeah, I imply, initially, thanks. I imply, this race is implausible. And I admire the sentiment. I feel the spirit right here is implausible. And once I have a look at it, the Hardrock 100 is among the high three greatest races on this planet, in my thoughts. But in addition, it retains this vibe, this small race vibe. It’s a smaller race than say, UTMB by way of the gang of racers, but additionally simply the entire city generally. And that is my first time in America. I wish to thank everybody right here. What I find out about America actually is Silverton, and folks have been implausible right here. Very welcoming, very good to me and my household. I need to thank everybody right here, from the race group, volunteers generally. And if I need to be again? Sure, after all. As quickly as doable. Subsequent yr, if doable. That might be nice.
iRunFar: Thanks a lot for the interview. Congratulations in your second-place end on the 2023 Hardrock 100, and I hope to see you once more one other yr.
Marmissolle: Thanks very a lot. Merci beaucoup.
