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During the Ultra Transkarukéra XXL, a 164-km race on the trails of Basse-Terre, only Axel Mozer, an athlete from Saint Barth, managed to cross the finish line after 43 hours of intense effort. Here’s a look back at an exceptional performance that illustrates the tenacity and mental strength required to tackle this extreme endurance challenge.
For the 2026 Transkarukéra, Transka Guadeloupe, the organizer, offered five running challenges over three days, all of which started and finished in the town of Bouillante on Basse-Terre. A 164-km Ultra Transkarukéra XXL on Friday, a 94-km Ultra Transkarukéra XL and a 40-km night trail run on Saturday, as well as the Trail du Piton (20 km) and a Discovery Trail (10 km) on Sunday.
On Friday at 4:00 p.m., seven experienced ultra-trail runners set off on the longest race, the Ultra Transkarukéra XXL. Among them was Axel Mozer, a native of Saint Barth, known for his participation in the 2021 Marathon des Sables (JSB1444) as well as several CrossFit competitions. He was the only one to cross the finish line. He completed the 164 km in a remarkable time of 42 hours, 57 minutes, and 10 seconds.
Back on the island, Axel Mozer reflects on this extraordinary experience: “I went through every possible emotion and phase throughout the race, without sleeping or stopping. The race started on Friday at 4 p.m., and I finished on Sunday mid-morning—that’s two sleepless nights. I tried to let the difficult moments pass so I could focus on the moments of joy. This is the third time I’ve attempted this adventure, and this year I managed to complete the course. The most memorable moments for me were the parts of the course I hadn’t been on before. In previous years, I’d dropped out after 100 km, then after 80 km. So I knew the first part of the course well, but this year I had the chance to discover the second part and make it all the way to the finish. Looking back, despite the pain and fatigue that are still very much present, I remain impressed by the human body’s ability to adapt and to always push its limits far beyond what we imagine or impose on ourselves. I’m very proud and honored to have finished this race, which is renowned in the running community for its difficulty. I didn’t want to give up; I set out with a single goal in mind: to finish no matter what. I stayed the course, pushed negative thoughts aside, and never let up. I’m really happy to have succeeded and to have earned the respect of the people of Guadeloupe.”
Axel Mozer was able to count on the support of his coach, Gaétan Richard, who adapted his training regimen despite the island’s limitations—no mountains or suitable trails. “He found the right exercises to get me physically and mentally ready.”
The 2026 race will remain a highlight in Axel Mozer’s career. “These are memorable adventures that you’ll remember for a lifetime. It’s so intense and tough that it’s etched in your memory forever.”
