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Domaine les Bois de Bézyl has hosted ten runs since its inception in 2001. Generally taking place on the middle weekend of August, this event has become a popular fixture on the Bézyl calendar.
The route has been fine-tuned over the years to provide a challenging circuit that has it all: steep and gradual inclines, deceptively flat stretches and more than a few downhill sections to test those quadriceps…
The 2011 Bezyl Run is being held on Sunday 28 August. This year’s event will consist of an 11km and a 15km run.
Download
registration form here.
Click here to see the photo gallery of the Bézyl Run 2010.
The 2010 Bézyl – Sixt – Bézyl run was to be open to the general public for the very first time. On the morning of the 22 August, participants from all over the local area arrived and duly obtained their numbers. Altogether there were more than 60 runners, including a handful of Dutch and Germans who had come over especially for the run. It was a warm, sunny day – perfect weather, in fact.
The Chateau itself provided a wonderful backdrop, with the check-in desk right in front of the steps. There was much admiration for the newly renovated Chateau and its grounds, with plenty of interest as to what lay behind its magnificent doors!
As the start of the race drew nearer everyone headed to the starting line, located at the entrance to the drive leading to the Chateau, accompanied by the melodious sounds of an accordian player.
At 9.10am, the mayor of Sixt sur Aff, René Riaud, fired the official starter’s pistol for the 16 km run. Around twenty runners set off downhill as the seconds on the large digital clock began to tick away. At 9.30am the mayor fired the pistol for the second time, signalling the start of the 11km group, which numbered forty or so runners. |
The 16km route took runners along the road around the Bézyl estate before heading to Sixt sur Aff and then back to the Chateau. The shorter, 11km route led straight to Sixt and back to the Chateau. The staggered start ensured that runners from both groups met up on their way to Sixt. Marshalls in luminous vests patrolled the roads, stopping cars to allow runners to pass. Water was provided at 5km and 10km, and was gratefully received by some very thirsty runners!
The route took in some steep ascents and descents, with the longer run clocking up a total of more than 320 metres of ups and downs. This fell to around 220 metres for the 11km run. The most testing sections of the route came after the turning point behind the Chateau, along the rue de la Grotte, and on the two long, steep hills on the way back to the Chateau.
Besides the speedy Dutch runners Willem Boerkamp and Mark Willems, there were some extremely fast French runners. Also participating were various members from Redon Athlétisme.
The winner of the men’s 16km was Franck Lemoing (01:01:24), with Sophie Boule carrying off the honours in the women’s 16km (01:15:25). The 11 km was won by Daniel Riaud (00:42:55) in the men’s category, and by Jacqueline Buissan (00:48:57) in the women’s. The youngest participant was 15 year old Myrte Hassoldt from the Netherlands, who successfully ran the 11 km course in 01:05:27.
All those who took part received a specially designed medal, awarded by the mayor at the finish line. The individual prize winners were honoured on the steps of the Chateau, with René Riaud personally handing over trophies to the male and female winners of the 16 km and 11 km respectively. In his speech, he pronounced the event a great initiative, and one that would be held again next year on 28 August.
On behalf of all the runners, Wilmar Hassoldt thanked René Riaud and the community of Sixt sur Aff for supporting the event. He went on to thank Aly Roos, the manager of Bézyl estate, for organising the run and for making it a success. He finished by thanking Bézyl’s owners, Bob and Tineke Roest, for sponsoring the event.
Champagne and cake then followed for every runner and volunteer involved in the Bézyl – Sixt – Bézyl run, a day that was unanimously agreed to have been a great success.
Here’s to the 2011 event!
Please click here to see the registration form for the 2010 edition.
Click here for a map of the two runs.
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