Canigou race

After ringing and the church service, I went down to watch the runners arriving. The  Canigou race is 34 kms and 2,100 metres of ascent. The winner was only the second to break the three hour barrier which is staggering. The eight kg record for running with weight to mimic the former ice carriers was also broken in a shade over four hours. The ice carriers  went up daily to supply the hotels with ice for the drinks of their rich visitors at the beginning of the twentieth century. The end of the race is often a family affair with children being picked up or running with their mums or dads for the final hundred metres or so (see extra.)