the essentials Josyan Sieurac, a 64-year-old Ariégeois from Saverdun and long-distance runner, took on the challenge of covering 3,900 km in one hundred days on Route 66 in the United States, in order to raise funds for the Toulouse association “1 jersey for life”. On the road for 55 days, he testifies.
Former rugby player, newly retired at 64, Ariégeois from Saverdun Josyan Sieurac is enjoying a saving break on this Tuesday, October 29. Departing on September 2 from Chicago, at the official start of the legendary Route 66 (3,900 km), which crosses three time zones and eight states in the USA, this experienced marathon runner recharges the batteries. He has already traveled 2,400 km. Just crossed New Mexico and arrived in Arizona.
“I alternate between running and walking”
“I alternate,” he says, “between running and walking, except in recent weeks when I cross desert areas and where there are few supplies and I have to plan. With a 9 kg bag, you can’t run a marathon, I walk.”
What pushed this long-distance running enthusiast – he crossed the Pyrenees over more than 850 km in eighteen days and regularly participates in ultra-trails – was fundraising for the Toulouse association “1 jersey for life” which strives “to fulfill the dreams of thousands of children affected by the disease”. In the midst of the presidential election and the Trump-Harris duel, Josyan Sieurac was quickly thrown into the mix. It’s his first time on American soil, but without mastering the language of Shakespeare.
“I got arrested by the police”
“I actually hear a lot about the election, I especially came across Trumpists who were speaking, but I speak English very, very poorly,” he regrets. “It played tricks on me from the fourth day when I was stopped by the police because I was running on a four-lane highway, Interstate 40, and it’s forbidden for pedestrians. They saw that English was a handicap for me, so they stopped me. put in the car and dropped me off further on Route 66. It went relatively well.”
Going on an adventure, backpack
Acquired for very long distances, this time without elevation changes, the Saverdunois admits “having gone on an adventure, backpacking, it’s the first time I’ve come here, I’ve read a few books before. Despite the barrier of the language, I have good relationships with people I run in sports gear, with a small American flag and another French one, I ask the people for water, especially during the first 1,000 km where I go. crossed quite a few towns and villages.” Josyan Sieurac hopes to arrive in Santa Monica (Los Angeles), California, in early December.
