Diagonale des Fous 2025 – how to watch the wildest race live
The Diagonale des Fous (literally, “Diagonal of the Mad”) is not just another ultra-trail race. For many runners, it represents the ultimate test of endurance, resilience, and mental toughness. Every October, the island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean transforms into a global stage where thousands of athletes attempt one of the hardest ultramarathons on Earth. The course crosses the island diagonally, from south to north, over volcanic peaks, lush jungles, and technical ridgelines.
If you are searching for how to watch the Diagonale des Fous 2025 live, this article is your complete guide. We will cover streaming platforms, official tracking tools, race schedules, top favorites (is Kilian Jornet coming back?), and the unique challenges of the tropical climate. Whether you are a passionate trail runner, a family member of a participant, or simply a fan of extreme endurance, here is everything you need to follow this legendary ultra in real time.
Where to watch Diagonale des Fous 2025 live
The organization of the Grand Raid Réunion, which includes the Diagonale des Fous as its flagship event, has invested heavily in digital coverage in recent years. For 2025, we can expect multiple ways to follow the race live:
Official website: The Grand Raid Réunion site will host live tracking of all runners via GPS. Each participant carries a beacon, allowing you to follow their progress checkpoint by checkpoint. This is the most reliable way to know where your favorite athlete is at any moment.
YouTube and Facebook Live: In past editions, the organization streamed the start, key checkpoints, and the emotional finish line in Saint-Denis. Expect similar broadcasts in 2025, available both on YouTube and Facebook.
Local TV coverage: Réunion’s television network (Antenne Réunion) traditionally provides live coverage of the race, often accessible via their website. Some of this coverage may also be rebroadcast internationally.
Social media updates: Follow the official Grand Raid accounts on Instagram and X (Twitter). They provide highlights, interviews, and quick updates throughout the race.
Specialized trail media: Platforms such as iRunFar, Trail Running Magazine, and Distances+ usually provide commentary, photos, and insights on the elite field.
To make sure you don’t miss anything, bookmark the official Grand Raid site and subscribe to notification alerts on YouTube. That way, when the broadcast goes live, you’ll be among the first to tune in.
Race schedule and key moments
The Diagonale des Fous traditionally begins on Thursday evening, with runners starting in the southern town of Saint-Pierre. In 2025, the official date is expected to be October 16th, although confirmation will come later in the year.
Here are the main timing details to follow:
Start: Thursday evening (local Réunion time, UTC+4). This means late afternoon in Europe (around 5–6 pm CET) and early morning in New York (11 am–12 pm EDT). The start is one of the most emotional moments of the race, with thousands of supporters lining the streets and fireworks lighting the night sky.
First night: The opening section is brutal, climbing immediately into the highlands. For elite runners, this sets the tone. For viewers, the GPS tracking allows you to see who takes the early lead.
Mid-race (Friday): The Cirque de Mafate, a remote amphitheater of volcanic valleys, is one of the most stunning sections. Watching the leaders pass through checkpoints here is a must.
Arrival of elites (Friday night / Saturday morning): The fastest athletes usually finish in around 22–24 hours, meaning Friday night in Réunion, Friday afternoon in Europe, and Friday morning in the U.S.
Arrival of the majority (Saturday and Sunday): Most runners take between 35 and 55 hours to complete the course. The live tracking remains essential for friends and families during these long hours.
Keep an eye on the organization’s official timetable once published. Time zone conversions are key if you want to catch the action live without confusion.
Favorites and elite runners to watch
The Diagonale des Fous always attracts a fascinating mix of French trail legends, local Réunionnais heroes, and international stars.
Kilian Jornet? Rumors always circulate about his participation. While he has not run this race in recent years, 2025 could be a surprise comeback. His presence would instantly raise the global profile of the event.
French contenders: Names like Benoît Girondel, Ludovic Pommeret, and François D’Haene have all written history here. If any of them line up in 2025, they will be among the favorites.
Réunion local elites: Runners from the island often excel thanks to their intimate knowledge of the technical trails and humid conditions. Watching them compete against international stars is always a highlight.
Women’s race: Past champions such as Camille Bruyas, Audrey Tanguy, or Courtney Dauwalter (if she decides to return) could dominate the field. The women’s competition is often just as dramatic as the men’s.
As the official start list is announced, trail media will analyze the field in depth. Following Diagonale des Fous 2025 live will give you the chance to see how favorites handle the tropical terrain in real time.
Strategy and race challenges
Why is the Diagonale des Fous considered one of the toughest ultras in the world? A few reasons stand out:
Distance and elevation: Around 160 km with over 9,500 meters of climbing. This makes it comparable to UTMB but with steeper, rougher trails.
Technical terrain: Roots, rocks, mud, and exposed ridges define the course. Even walking sections can be dangerous at night.
Pacing: Many elites start conservatively, knowing the second half of the race is even harder. Watching the live splits can show when leaders decide to push.
Nutrition and hydration: Aid stations are less frequent and sometimes remote. Runners must manage their resources carefully.
This makes live coverage fascinating: positions can change dramatically in the last 30 km, when exhaustion sets in.
Weather and local conditions
The Diagonale des Fous takes place in tropical Réunion, where weather can be as challenging as the terrain itself. Expect:
Heat and humidity: Daytime temperatures can soar above 30°C, making hydration crucial.
Heavy rain: October is known for sudden downpours, turning trails into rivers of mud.
Microclimates: Conditions can change drastically between the coast, high volcanic ridges, and forested cirques.
For spectators watching Diagonale des Fous 2025 live, this means the race can shift unpredictably. A sudden storm in Mafate can delay runners or shuffle the leaderboard.
Why watching Diagonale des Fous live is unique
Following most ultras online can be repetitive. But Diagonale des Fous is different:
The scenery is spectacular, from volcanic peaks to lush jungle valleys.
The crowd support in Réunion is unmatched, with locals cheering day and night.
The emotional finishes often bring tears, as amateur runners complete their dream after more than two days of effort.
For trail fans worldwide, it is a chance to witness both human drama and natural beauty.
Conclusion
The Diagonale des Fous 2025 promises to be another unforgettable edition of one of the world’s wildest ultramarathons. By knowing where to watch, when to tune in, and who to follow, you can experience the race almost as if you were on the island. Bookmark the official Grand Raid Réunion site, follow the social media channels, and prepare to immerse yourself in the action.
Whether Kilian Jornet or other legends decide to toe the line, one thing is certain: watching the Diagonale des Fous 2025 live will give you front-row access to one of the toughest endurance tests on Earth.
