Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge   |15 May 2023

Winner of the first Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge Greth Estico (Photo Vanessa Lucas)

Seychellois boxer Greth Estico wins inaugural challenge

Praslinois pugilist Greth Estico is the grand winner of the inaugural Seychelles Nature Trail Challenge held on Saturday, gathering over 100 competitors, both locals and foreigners who covered a total distance of 22km on the heights of Mahé.

At Saturday’s event, jointly hosted by the tourism department, National Sports Council (NSC) and Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority (SPGA), along with various associates and sponsors, Estico clocked 2 hours, 23 minutes (2hr3:00) to cover the 22km distance.

The competition which started at 7am at the Constance Ephelia led runners and hikers round Anse Major, through the well-known hiking routes including the Mare Aux Cochons, Casse Dent and Sans Souci area, before  finishing at the Grand Anse Mahé playing field where the awards presentation ceremony was held

Minister for Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment Flavien Joubert, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) for the Grand Anse Mahé district Waven William, chief executive of National Sports Council (NSC) Marc Arissol, members of the diplomatic corps, along with senior officials of the tourism department and sponsors were present.

Other than being a trail competition, the event was also an opportunity for the foreign competitors, along with their families and friends to connect with nature, disconnect from the modern world, and experience an unforgettable moment in one of the most beautiful places on the planet, which is Seychelles.

Planned to be an annual activity, the event was also to propel Seychelles’ engagement towards green tourism, enticing visitors to explore the destination’s lush biodiversity and reaches out to sports enthusiasts through the portrayal of Seychelles as a versatile destination and an ideal sports venue.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Estico said he was looking forward to the challenge and was expecting to do well, since as a boxer, he is always enduring in tough physical fights, noting that other than his boxing endurance training, he did not make any other special preparation.

He, however, noted that despite having won the competition, putting the Seychelles’ flag above that of other countries, he is a bit disappointed with the competition reward which was a trophy, along with goodie bags from different sponsors.

Estico noted that the organisers need to take into account the intensity of the event, thus the amount of energy one has to put into it to complete it, let alone winning, and therefore come up with some more interesting rewards, if they want to attract more competitors in the future.

Jeremy Fontaine of Reunion was the second contestant to cross the finish line, completing the challenge in 2h24:00, finishing ahead of Seychellois Jonathan Quatre who was third in 2h30:00. Frenchman Alexandre Vienne finished fourth overall in 2h36:00, ahead of compatriot Isabelle Lamy who was the first female contestant to complete the course, clocking 2h40:00.

The top 25 finishers of the inaugural Nature Trail Challenge

1.        Greth Estico – 2h23:00
2.        Jeremy Fontaine – 2h24:00
3.        Jonathan Quatre –  2h30:00
4.        Alexandre Vienne – 2h36:00
5.        Isabelle Lamy – 2h40:00
6.        Geno Belle – 2h46:20
7.        Gilbert Beaudoin – 2h47:05
8.        Noah Chilinda – 3h04:43
9.        Julien Lacoume – 3h05:20
10.     Trevor Lespoire – 3h16:53
11.     Damien Leong-Pong – 3h17:05
12.     Jean Clydes – 2h22:55
13.     Moise Barret – 3h23:00
14.     Stephenson Raboude – 3h26:07
15.     Keven Larue – 3h27:29
16.     Bourne Elvis – 3h29:52
17.     Manon Desirand – 3h29:58
18.     Andy Rose – 3h33:09
19.     Pierre Patou Parvedy – 3h35:35
20.     Guilène Rèvauger – 3h36:06
21.     Simon Mucha – 3h38:03
22.     Antoine Mondon – 3h38:46
23.     Conrad Appasamy – 3h39:13
24.     Roger Toulon – 3h46:49
25.     Jimmy Jacques – 3h49:06

The different category winners

Men Scratch

1.        Greth Estico – 2h23:00
2.        Jeremy Fontaine – 2h24:00
3.        Jonathan Quatre – 2h30:00

Women Scratch

1.        Isabelle Lamy – 2h40:00
2.        Manon Desirand – 3h29:58
3.        Guilène Rèvauger – 3h36:06

Seychellois ranking (men)

1.        Greth Estico – 2h23:00
2.        Jonathan Quatre –  2h30:00
3.        Geno Belle – 2h46:20

Seychellois ranking (women)

1.        Vanessa Sinon – 4h17:13
2.        Brenda Larue – 4h21:06
3.        Guisepina Grandcourt – 4h31:26

Espoir (boys)

1.        Trevor Lespoir – 3h16:53
2.        Stephano Adrienne – 4h00:30
3.        Brandon Vital – 4h27:23

Espoir (girls)

1.        Chloe Banane – 6h10:11

Senior (men)

1.        Greth Estico –2h23:00
2.        Jeremy Fontaine – 2h24:00
3.        Jonathan Quatre – 2h30:00

Senior (women)

1.        Manon Desirand – 3h29:58
2.        Guilène Rèvauger – 3h36:06
3.        Vanessa Sinon – 4h17:13

Master 1 (men)

1.        Damien Leong-Pong – 3h17:05
2.        Keven Larue – 3h27:29
3.        Andy Rose – 3h33:09

 Master 1 (women)

1.        Isabelle Payet – 4h22:16
2.        Guisepina Grandcourt – 4h31:26
3.        Ronny Esparon – 4h44:17

Master 2 (men)

1.        Noah Chilinda – 3h04:43
2.        Jean Clydes – 3h22:54
3.        Moïse Barret – 3h23:00

Master 2 (women)

1.        Isabelle Lamy – 2h40:00
2.        Brenda Larue – 4h21:06
3.        Isabelle Barret – 4h22:28

 Master 3 (men)

1.        Roger Toulon – 3h46:49
2.        Jacques Jimmy – 3h49:06
3.        Lindsay Antonio – 3h56:45

Master 3 (women)

1.        Florise Ernesta – 4h35:57
2.        Sabine Incaya – 4h49:28
3.        Jenna Valentin – 5h15:24

Roland Duval