2024-03-13 05:01:00

the essential At 52 years old, Gilles Bordenave will participate on April 12 in the emblematic Marthon des Sables. He will stand alongside more than 900 adventurers of all nationalities, to cover 252 km on foot in the Moroccan desert.

An adventurer at heart, Gilles Bordenave is one of those men and women who never stop pushing their limits. Originally from Pamiers and living in French Guiana for 17 years, on April 12 he will be the only Ariège resident to start the emblematic Marathon des Sables. An adventure of nearly 252 kilometers in southern Morocco, between dunes, stony plateaus, tracks, dry rivers, palm groves, small mountains.

Born in Pamiers, Gilles Borndenave studied in Ariège before leaving for his military service. A former employee in private security or in cinema, alongside director Olivier Marchal, he fell in love with Guyana where he today raises buffaloes.

Although he is participating in this race for the first time, he is no less accustomed to extreme treks. A reservist in the Army for 8 years, he is used to exploring the Amazon jungle. “I have had a passion for solo trekking, in regions isolated from any civilization for almost 20 years. I lived for several years in Senegal, and that’s where it all began. I have very good goals precise, no GPS, no telephone, except without a SIM card to take photos and of course without motorized vehicles, I allow myself a bicycle, a donkey or a camel to carry my bag,” explains the adventurer.

A true enthusiast, Gilles Bordenave is participating in his first Marathon des Sables this year Gilles Bordenave

It was in 2004 that he set out on his first expedition across Western Sahara in 182 days, through Mauritania, Morocco and Algeria. Since then, this passion has never left him and he undertakes treks in the Amazon whenever he can, like in 2016 when he completed a 6-month journey through the jungle in total autonomy. A human experience that he recounts in particular in his book “The Amazon has lost its heart – Vert d’aventures”.

“I like this solitary aspect. I’m not a competitor, I don’t do survivalism either. I like to take my time, to discover. I don’t impose deadlines on myself either, if I need to eat better one day, I’m going to take the time to sin.”

Get out of your comfort zone

Gilles particularly likes to challenge himself. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of his first crossing of the Sahara, he is going to Morocco this Wednesday March 13 to trek to Mauritania, this time with a time constraint, and not the least, to be back in time to start the Marathon des Sables on April 12.

After the desert and the jungle, Gilles aims to tackle Alaska for his 60th birthday Gilles Bordenave

While some like to prepare and arrive in good shape on the day of departure, Gilles chooses a challenge. “It is above all a test for me. I do things my way in general, here I will have to adapt to the regulations, there are time constraints, checkpoints. I am not aiming for a ranking, I Above all, I hope to finish the race.”

In 6 stages, Gilles will have to cover between 30 and 40 km per day under the Sahara sun, with the third day a stage of almost 80 km. If he especially likes solitude during his treks, this time he will have to deal with more than 900 participants from 58 different countries. He is now looking for sponsors ready to accompany him on this adventure. The Army notably provided him with the freeze-dried meals necessary for the entire race.

With unfailing mental strength, Gilles doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. He has already made an appointment with Alaska in 2032 for one last extreme challenge.

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