Marie ESTERHAZY (CAN)

A Canadian living in Belgium, Marie ESTERHAZY, not yet in her thirties, is a doctor. She will participate in her first MARATHON DES SABLES next April, as a worthy successor to her father Nicholas: “He was lucky to participate in the MDS in 2012 and to have crossed the finish line on his own two feet. I followed his adventure with diligence and passion. From that moment, I internally promised myself that I too would do this damn race! "

And yet, at the time, Marie was completely new to running and even more so to trail. But she has always been a real athlete, especially in field hockey: "I had the chance to play at a high level for the national team when I was a teenager. "So in preparation for the MARATHON DES SABLES, Marie took to running after completing her medical studies three years ago.

Like all the other competitors, Marie naturally thinks about her sports training, but also about equipment and food. Well… she should think about it: "Like my father, I'm rather nonchalant. No training program, just by feeling. For better or for worse, we'll see! Marie runs almost all the time with her father and two dogs, while chatting and testing equipment, bars and energy drinks.

And then of course in 2020 there was the Covid-19 pandemic, and for Marie who works in intensive care, the impact was enormous: “It is clearly not easy to reconcile training and work in this kind of situation. I actually contracted the virus, luckily without any consequences. The hardest part is to stay motivated and train without knowing if a third wave will emerge ... "

So to stay motivated, Marie thinks about her goal - to cross the finish line. “Regardless of the time and the standings, I just want to have fun and share good times with my father. "Because Nicholas will be on MDS for the second time, and no doubt he will be watching over his daughter!

His worst fears? The heat and the light bulbs… What attracts him the most? “Surpassing oneself in terms of physical effort, but also the adventure side of the race. »His strong point? "Surely the fact that I can't give up in front of my father!" My pride is at stake, ”she jokes.