Treg Algeria Trail 2023: "We have strengthened African participation this year"

Tell us how the idea of organising the Treg Algeria Trail came about.

Jean-Philippe Allaire: We had organised other trails before this one, in a number of countries. For seven years in a row, we were in Chad, Ethiopia and Cape Verde for events. The Algerian trail is a story of chance meetings. We met a Franco-Algerian dignitary and the French ambassador to Algeria at an informal dinner, and we explained the project to them and our wish to stage it in Algeria, given its beautiful landscapes. By the end of the meal, the idea had taken root and we gave ourselves the green light.

How would you assess the first edition?

The first edition of the Treg Algeria Trail was a trial run, a chance to get to grips with the logistics. We knew the landscape was fabulous and the welcome magnificent and exceptional. But we had to organise a slightly unusual event, aimed at people with a talent for endurance, even long-distance fans. Trail running is practised all over the world, and in every country there are at least one or several trail runners, depending on their sporting culture. We organised this event in Algeria because it met all the criteria. So we had to put every particular requirement in place. It is worth knowing that in trail running, participants navigate for themselves. That means that, as with marathon courses, they are not marked out with signs and boards. Each runner is given a wrist GPS that lets them navigate and find their way alone. The second feature is safety. Each runner is fitted with a beacon on their bag that allows us to pinpoint exactly where they are. If they take a wrong turn, we can bring them back.

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Which brings technical constraints...

In Algeria, the issue with the GPS devices and beacons is that these accessories are easy to get hold of but hard to move around. We also had problems getting drones out to capture some really beautiful images. Despite all that, the verdict on the first edition of the Treg Algeria Trail is very positive. We are trying to strengthen African participation, with athletes from Burkina Faso, Senegal and Niger, and even a Palestinian. All in all, we have strengthened African participation, in addition to the participants from Europe, including Germany, Denmark, Belgium, France of course, and Algerian runners. It is truly an event about sharing and endurance, and a journey of meetings and exchanges.

Are there more athletes this year than in previous editions?

Slightly more, even if it is not double, because of travel restrictions and events being organised in different parts of the world. It takes a bit of time for everything to fall into place. Through this interview, we want to stress that getting a visa is really not easy. We had the embassy's support this year, which made our task easier.

What are you expecting from this edition of the Treg Algeria Trail?

We are already expecting a hospitable welcome from the local people. Alongside it, there is a marathon organised by our partner, the Algerian Federation of Sport and Work. That means we will have a good-sized field at the start, with the trail runners competing and making the most of the desert under a full moon.

Sanh Séverin, special correspondent in Algiers