Royal Raid 2012, most famous Mauritian trail run

Royal Raid 2012: one for the Bucket List

Event date: 12 May 2012

The Royal Raid is the first and most famous Mauritian trail run. It will take you on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the island of the wildest parts of Mauritius, showcasing the island’s most stunning scenery.

The event was created in 2006 by two passionate Mauritians: Albert d’Unienville (today he’s the Events Manager of Naiade Resorts) and Frederic Robert, owner of Ecotourism Park and activites in the south of Mauritius. Expertise from Reunion Island (known for its famous Grand Raid event) was sought for the first two editions.

Royal Raid established the foundation of Trail Running in Mauritius. Since 2006 and every year, international and local runners and hikers have enjoyed the challenging course, the breathtaking scenery and the wonderful friendship atmosphere which prevails, before, all along and after the event!

On the occasion of the 2010 edition, SA Supersport TV (via 3 Monkeys Productions) produced a memorable film of the event by following some SA runners who took part in the ultra 80km race.

Royal Raid consists of two races being held simultaneously:
• Royal Raid 80 (RR80) a race of 80 kilometres to be covered in less than 20 hours
• Royal Raid 35 (RR35) a race of 35 kilometres to be covered in less than 9 hours
• Gecko Raid, a short challenge of 15km

During their 80km challenge, the participants will have the exclusive opportunity to discover the following beautiful places:
• Yemen Nature Reserve, the largest and one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Mauritius
• The endemic fauna and flora – and the famous Parakeet Trail! – of the Black River National Park (also included in the RR35)
• The sugarcane fields of Domaine de Bel Ombre (also included in the RR35)

2011 edition – Results

Royal Raid 80km (Men)
1 DUHAUPAS    Frank Stephane Senior     (Reunion) in 7:42:52
2 HOAREAU    Georges Marie     Veteran 2 (Reunion) in 7:55:03
3 RIVIERE    Rosaire Jean Pierre Veteran 1 (Reunion)    in 8:20:15

Royal Raid 80km (Women)
1 RIVIERE    Marie Jasmine     Vétéran 1    (Reunion) in 9:27:24
2 BOURGEOIS    Marie-Noelle     Senior (Reunion)    in 9:57:31
3 RIBOTTE    Ghislaine Veteran 1    (Reunion) in 10:21:03

Royal Raid 35km (Men)
1 SMITH     Jenifer     Senior     (Mauritius)    in 2:37:55
2 LACROIX Eric     Veteran 1    (France) in 2:43:18
3 PAPATHANASOPOULOS Argyrios     Senior (Greece) in 2:46:25

Royal Raid 35km (Women)
1 HOARAU    Michelle     Senior     (Reunion) in 3:35:43
2 DELGARD    Marie Denise     Veteran 1    (Reunion) in 3:39:05
3 FANCHIN    Viviane     Veteran 1    (Reunion) in 3:39:59

Track / Path – general description of the Royal Raid 80km – RR80

The Departure of RR 80 2012 edition will be at Casela Bird Park / Yemen Nature Reserve on the west coast of Mauritius on 12 May at 05h00. The race will go through the nature reserve: the track is undulating with steep slopes, on a dry and hot ground. After the nature reserve the race will go through the Black River National Park. After 1.5 km, a climb of 6 km in the middle of the tropical forest to reach 500 m higher, through a humid track, the Jet Ranch where rest facilities and meal are available. After Jet Ranch the race will go once again down through the forest before another major climb of 5 km with 600 m of positive height (Parakeet Trail) to reach a place called Parakeet, the highest point of the race at an altitude of 720 m. As from there and after 800 metres of tarred road the race will go through the track Bel Ombre Trail; magnificent views on the south of the island – during an 8 km descent on a very pleasant large track in the middle of the forest and then in the middle of sugarcane fields. The Finish will be in the south at Tamassa – Naïade Resorts Hotel.

Track / Path – general description of the Royal Raid 35km – RR35

Start is at Jet Ranch on 14 May at 08h00. The first 12 km of the race will be on a plateau, mainly around the Mare Longue Dam before going downhill for 4 km with a negative height of 500 meters before a major climb of 5 km with 600 m of positive height (Parakeet Trail) to reach a place called Parakeet, the highest point of the race at an altitude of 720 m.

As from there and after 800 metres of tarred road the race will go through the track the Bel Ombre Trail; magnificent views on the south of the island – during an 8 km descent on a very pleasant large track in the middle of the forest and then in the middle of sugar cane fields. The Finish will be in the south at Tamassa – Naïade Resorts Hotel.

Accommodation

Accommodation will be at Tamassa Naïade (4 Stars): the Royal Raid’s hotel situated just a few metres from the race finish!

A spacious 4-star hotel that sets out to provide a contemporary setting that likes to be different. All the rooms, housed in a set of villas, face the sea. They are arranged in three arcs, two around large swimming pools with a beach and the third on the seafront. All the common areas are grouped together in village style, with a view of the sea to one side and on the other sugarcane fields running all the way to the foothills of the mountains. It’s all quite magical – a fabulous shoreline, lush greenery, rare tree specimens, flowering shrubs, plants and turquoise waters. Tamassa, Naïade Resorts’ latest creation, features 214 rooms; all with a sea view is a happy fusion of the contemporary and the traditional!

Tamassa is situated 50 metres from the race finish!

Accommodation for participants and accompanying persons includes:
• Transfers to race start
• All social events
• Race pack delivered at Tamassa at time of briefing
• Transfers airport-Tamassa-airport (on request and with a supplement)

Further information:
Registration via the official website www.royalraid.com
Naïade Events / Albert d’Unienville – email: albert.dunienville@naiade.com | www.naiade.com