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The 2025 edition of the Gustavialoppet may have been a record-breaker, but it remains true to itself. At least, that's what three friends who took part - Hugo, Maxime and Alex - assure us. It's quite complicated with the climbs," they explain. Even if you know the route, the Calvary is always a surprise. "203 runners registered for the Course des As, 115 for the 5km, 150 walkers and 128 children for the foulées des Ti-Mouns. The turnout was a bit of a surprise for the organizers, but was appreciated by the three friends, who don't forget to thank the volunteers. "It's nice because there are a lot of people, more than in previous years. As a result, you're never alone. You always have people with you, pushing you to the front, in fact. You're not in no man's land. So that's good. "
As for the organizers: "It's impressive," smiles Théo Estasse from the Collectivité's sports department, interviewed at the end of the race. We were surprised in terms of registration. But it's great. I think people are happy. And yesterday's foulées de Ti Mouns was great. There were a lot of people. And then again, this morning, it's impressive, this mass of people gathered there. A positive assessment. We'll have to structure it for the future, to keep it growing. But it's great, the volunteers were there, too good, perfect. "
The Ace Race
The tone of the race was set from the very first kilometers of the 10-kilometer Race des As by the leading pack of Manuel Silliau, Michel Pradel and Alexis Wozniak, surprising organizers and spectators alike.
For his first participation, Manuel Silliau won the Race of the Aces (32:54) just 14 seconds ahead of Michel Pradel (who has held the distance record since 2021). Alexis Wozniak completes the podium.
The circuit is demanding," admits Manuel Silliau. There are three really good climbs. Even in Metropolitan France, I've never done a circuit with such a steep gradient. So you really have to manage it, because if you don't, you can have a really bad time. I'm used to running on the track and over the 10 km distance on the road. In particular, this year I finished 23rd at the French 10 km Championship in Saint-Tropez. My record over the distance is 29:39 on the road. Here, it's different, it's more difficult. In mainland France, they always try to make the course as rolling as possible, so that there are times, and that attracts people to the race. Well, here, there's not necessarily a way to do a rolling 10 km. That's what makes it special too, and that's great. "
Michel Pradel, record holder for the distance, crossed the finish line in second place. I've got the distance record (32:38, editor's note)," he smiles. Manuel Silliau probably could have beaten it, but he managed the first part of the race as a precaution, as it was his first edition. But next year I'll be back to try and beat the time. Yes, a 14-second gap. But I know when I'm up against something stronger. I couldn't do anything about it, but it motivated me, and I can't wait to meet him on other circuits. When there's a fast athlete like that, it helps a lot of people to improve their performance. I like to come and do the 10 km in Saint-Barthélemy thanks to the Inter Génération Runners club in Saint Martin. I make the trip with them. And every time it's an unforgettable weekend. For this edition, there were a lot more people. It's a really well organized competition. I'm impressed by the number of athletes on Saint-Barthélemy. I saw people practicing sports all weekend from morning to night. "
For Mathieu Peressoni, who came 13th overall, the course is still difficult, even after five participations. "We tend to go too fast at the start, so it's hard at the end. The last few kilometers are tough. This is confirmed by Jean Cattiaux (9th overall), who adds: "This is my third participation, and it's still just as tough. There are only two or three climbs, but they still sting. They're spicy! "
Top 10 of the Course des As (from left to right) Manuel Silliau (32:54), Michel Pradel (33:08), Alexis Wozniak (36:01), Valentin Loup (36:30), Fabien Husson (36:39), Jean Gouin (38:45), Franck Challaye (38:57), Olivier Basset (39:18), Jean Cattiaux (39:31), Stephane Riviere (39:55).
Eden Rock takes on the 5 km
Of the 115 runners registered for the distance, the three fastest were on the Eden Rock staff. Guillaume Vouillot Scemama, a clerk at the hotel, was the first to cross the 5 km finish line. With a time of 21:17, he beat the distance record held by Cesar Bigorre in 2024 (22:16). This fine performance was applauded by his colleagues, who were quick to point out that over 30 athletes from the Hôtel de Saint-Jean were registered for both distances (10 and 5km).
At the age of 23, Guillaume Vouillot Scemama has set himself the challenge of beating his time in the next edition. "Next year, I'll beat this time. I think you can go under 20 minutes with a bit of training. I've never really done the course before, but I run every morning before I go to work, as well as on my days off. Normally, I take the Tourmente climb, I often pass Gustavia or the stadium, so I know the terrain well. "The hardest section? "The Tourmente climb looks impossible. I tell myself there are several options. Either you go up 'full ball' and slow down on the way down, or you slow down on the way up and then accelerate. That's the option I chose. It's too, too hard. After the descent, you take a rest, then accelerate again on the flat and it's easy. And frankly, in truth, it was an excellent race; if there are others during the year, I'll certainly take part. "
The podium was completed by Aleksandar Marinkovic and Mathieu Clavier.
Full results on page 9 of the November 13 issue of the Journal de Saint-Barth.
