Cross-country is usually a moist, chilly and soiled sport–however we’ve bought handy it to those French athletes who tackled a really brutal course.
On Sunday, on the Nouvelle-Aquitaine qualifying race for the French Cross-Nation Championships in Yzeure, France, lots of of runners throughout all age teams discovered themselves splashing by way of what could be the most important puddles we’ve ever seen.
However cross-country runners are a distinct breed; most appeared unfazed as they charged by way of shin-deep muddy water prefer it was simply one other part of the course. Some even took a full-body dip–some deliberately, others much less so.
With temperatures hovering round 6 C, many opponents got here ready in lengthy sleeves, hats and gloves. However there was little they might do for his or her ft–simply excited about waterlogged socks is sufficient to trigger nightmares.
Spectators additionally appeared prepared for the situations, sporting rubber boots and getting into the identical big puddles because the athletes to line the course and watch.
Movies from the race rapidly made their rounds on-line, with remark sections filling up with each admiration and disbelief. Some praised the athletes’ dedication to race day, whereas others joked that the occasion appeared extra like a triathlon or steeplechase. One consumer couldn’t fairly imagine the puddle was actual, asking: “Is that this AI?”
Different viewers questioned why the race wasn’t cancelled, noting the dearth of floor visibility might considerably improve the danger of harm.
