2024-07-08 14:43:56
The Moroccan athlete covered a distance of 615.271 kilometers during 6 days of non-stop running, taking fourth place in the general ranking and first place in his category. Said Bourjila, who ran for 143 hours, 44 minutes and 42 seconds, also smashed the Moroccan record.
A lap of honour was organised to celebrate this event during which Said Bourjila proudly carried the flag of Morocco. A flag that he always brings with him to the major sporting events in which he participates.
The 6 Jours de France are played at the Stade du Lac de Privas. This is an unmissable end-of-summer event for ultra marathoners, who come from all over the world, and devour the kilometers for six days non-stop for an extraordinary race.
There are few rules governing this event. In fact, it is up to the ultra marathoners to manage their own physical and mental condition. Some run while others walk, alone or in groups. They are all free to stop or not to eat and sleep.
Born in 1974 in Al-Hoceima, Saïd Bourjila started running in 2014 at the age of 40, starting with a few competitive races of 10 km, 15 km, half-marathon in Brittany and especially in Finistère around the city of Brest, before opting for the ultra marathon when he felt “the need to make the pleasure of running last”.
“The distances up to the marathon (42.195 km) were insufficient to satisfy my need to run more. I increased the distances progressively by then running 100 km, then 24 hours, 48 hours before opting for the 6-day race,” he confided to MAP.
Married and father of two daughters, Said Bourjila runs for his own account, his professional life and his family life not allowing him to join a club “due to lack of availability”, he admits. Today, he still continues to run and train alone despite the solicitation of certain clubs in the region.
The Moroccan athlete has a fine track record to his name, having won the 48 Hours of Royan in 2016 with 297 kilometers run in 2 days and finished 3rd in the No Finish Line in Paris in 2018 with 482 kilometers covered in 4 days and 8 hours.
To succeed in the challenge of running 615.271 kilometers in six days non-stop, it takes a lot of endurance, discipline and training. “Running such a distance is not given to everyone, there is preparation that is done beforehand to acquire all the necessary qualities to best lead such a race,” explains the ultra marathoner.
“Before committing, you have to have self-confidence and the will to surpass yourself and tell yourself that you are capable of doing it. Then begins the real physical and mental preparation, which plays a very important role in this discipline so as not to give up. And this preparation is done over several months or even several years, working the most on endurance, swallowing up several kilometers per week, up to 150 km/week. Added to this is the involvement and regularity in training and a lot of family investment,” explains Saïd Bourjila.
“There are several parameters that allow me to achieve such a feat and can be summed up in the management of pain, sleep, food/hydration, and equipment (shoes, clothing, etc.), without forgetting family life and professional life…”, he continues.
But the result is there when Saïd Bourjila, the only Moroccan, Arab and African to compete in the last ultra marathon of the 6 Days of France, obtains the fourth place in the general classification and the first place in his category during this extraordinary race. He even manages to beat the Moroccan record. A pride and an honor that is only equaled by the fact of seeing the Moroccan flag raised to the highest.
“During my first participation in the 6 Days of France in 2017, I arrived at the stadium and saw the Moroccan flag flying among the other flags of the participating countries. I was very proud that my country was among them and that I was the one representing it. This gives me positive vibes to best represent my country and leave with my head held high at the end of the competition,” he says.
“This year again I had the opportunity and the pride to beat the Moroccan record with a great 4th place overall. What an honor to go around the stadium with the Moroccan flag flying under everyone’s gaze!”, he recounts with emotion.
With these great performances, the Moroccan athlete does not intend to stop there. He is already eyeing the 24 Hours of the Quai du CHER VIERZON which will be held in October 2020. In July 2021, he will try again to beat the Moroccan record at the 6 days of Grand EST.
2024-07-08 14:43:56