Mahé crazy challenge |23 November 2019
The winners and organisers in a souvenir photo
Winners receive their prizes
The winners of this year’s Mahé Crazy Challenge hosted by the Sports for All Unit within the National Sports Council last Saturday, received their prizes during a ceremony held recently at Stad Linite.
For this year’s event, Gino Belle won the men’s category in 9 hours 19 minutes 31.6 seconds (9h19:31.6), adding a second title next to his name, after also winning in 2016.
Samuel Vidot finished second with a time of 9h19:53.6, completing the course ahead of Malagasy Gerard Jaomaro, winner of the past two challenges who was third in 9h51:28.
In the women’s category, Nelda Freminot who was taking part in her ninth challenge, clocked 12h52:50.2 to finish first, ahead of Brenda Larue who took the runner-up spot in 12h54:44.4.
Florise Ernesta finished third overall in 13h16:00.3.
Commenting on the event, director of the Sports for All Unit Francis Remie said it was big success since a record 40 people managed to complete at least the first phase which ended at Cap Ternay.
He added that it was obvious that this year’s contestants were better prepared, based on their performances and speed, as well as the ‘zero casualty’ record registered.
Mr Remie further added that as extra incentives, the NSC is in the process of signing future winners for the same event at international competitions.
The winners’ reaction
Gino Belle: “In 2016 I was just testing the waters, but this year I came well prepared and I knew in advance what I was coming to do. It was more difficult this year as there were more people and they were all aware of my presence, so they were in a way marking me very tightly.
“As for my preparations, there was nothing extra. I trained twice daily except for having more rest closer to the event.”
Nelda Freminot: “It was quite tough as there were a lot of competitors and I had to keep increasing my speed to maintain the gap, especially with the runner-up and third-place finisher. I prepared myself very well for the event and I am lucky to have my husband as training partner since he is also an active participant. I am not surprised with the result since I was well prepared.”
Complete results of the Mahé Crazy challenge 2019
Men
1st Gino Belle 9h19:31.6
2nd Samuel Vidot 9h19:53.6
3rd Gerard Jaomaro 9h51:28
4th Jean Baptiste 11h02:37.6
5th Hillaire Jaomaro 11h46:27.3
6th Kevin Larue 11h51:51.6
7th Kumara Kks sisira 12h52:50.2
8th Jimmy Jacques 12h53:26.1
9th Leonard Andomalala 13h26:02.2
10th Antoine Mondon 14h39:40.5
11th Raymond Florentine 14h55:33.5
12th Danny Louange 15h04:46.4
13th Carlos Payet 15h04:46.4
14th Mervin Elizabeth 15h44:54.2
Women
1st Nelda Freminot 12h52:50.2
2nd Brenda Larue 12h54:44.4
3rd Florise Ernesta 13h16:00.3
4th Maggie Harray 14h52:16.3
5th Zsaklin Miklos 14h52:16.3
6th Samentha William 15h51:30.4
Special Prizes
Oldest man – Jimmy Jacques
Oldest woman – Florise Ernesta
Youngest man – Carlos Payet
Past winners of the Mahé crazy challenge
Men
2004 – Philip Louange
2005 – Gordon and Claude Payet
2006 – Gordon and Claude Payet
2007 – Clifford Edmond
2008 – Claude Payet
2009 – Roy Jean-Baptise
2010 – James Barra
2011 – Hubert Adrienne
2012 – James Barra
2014 – Herbert Adrienne
2015 – Herbert Adrienne
2016 – Gino Belle
2017 – Gerard Jaomaro
2018 – Gerard Jaomaro
2019 – Gino Belle
Women
2005 – Wilna Iman
2006 – Wilna Iman
2007 – Vivienne Vadivelo
2009 – Simon Jaffa
2011 – Maggy Harray
2012 – Maggy Harry
2014 – Maggy Harray
2015 – Anita Amasogno
2016 – Pene Voght
2017 – Pene Vogt
2018 – Corine Rasaonantenaina
2019 – Nelda Freminot
Roland Duval