“You must always be humble”

Christian GINTER is one of the Legends of MARATHON DES SABLES: he has participated in all editions since the third, and is thus lining up for the 36th time, at 70 years old. This is obviously the peloton’s record. Another record: he completed the adventure each time. An incredible track record that doesn’t go to his head: “It’s going much better than last year at the same time. But we always have surprises: the back, the feet, the heat... You always have to be humble.“

Christian's son, Anthony is participating for the ninth time, and at the end of the second stage he is ranked 29th. Anthony's wife, Amélie, is participating for the first time, and is currently ranked in the women's Top 10. “It’s great, but it’s not over,” tempers Christian, who knows more than anyone that nothing is ever won in the middle of the desert.

Tomorrow, it's time for the long stage, placed on the third day rather than the fourth. But for Christian, it is not a problem to adapt to these changes: “You have to know how to adapt, since my first participation a lot of things have changed. But what changes the most is us and our bodies.“

Christian recounted this life intimately linked to the MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY in a recently published book: “It was truly a dream to release this book.“ The next dream to come true: finishing this 38th MARATHON DES SABLES LEGENDARY!