Climbing Fourvière 80 times is like reaching a vertical height of 8,849 meters, which is the height of Everest! And that's the wild challenge that Donovan, a 27-year-old trail runner from Lyon, has taken on. He's decided to turn the most iconic hill in Lyon into a Himalayan peak. The concept, revealed by Actu Lyon, is simple yet totally absurd: repeatedly follow a trail of about 120 meters in elevation gain until reaching the height of the tallest mountain in the world. This ultra-endurance challenge is called “urban Everesting,” sitting right between sporting achievement and mental endurance.
The ascent of Everest...without leaving Lyon
The adventure kicks off on Friday night into Saturday at 3 AM, starting from Vieux-Lyon.
Donovan plans for a pace of around four ascents per hour, with a total estimated effort of between 20 and 25 hours. The route will start from the esplanade of Saint-Jean Cathedral, passing through the Chazeaux ascent and the Heights Park, before reaching the Basilica of Fourvière, where a refreshing supply will be waiting for him. Then it’s rinse and repeat. Again. And again.
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If the challenge is individual, the energy will clearly be collective. Donovan has invited the people of Lyon to join him for a few climbs, a lap, or just to cheer him on. The idea, embraced as "funny, quirky, even silly," has exploded on social media. He expects to see about fifty people throughout the day, turning Fourvière into a giant playground.
Fourvière Hill Before the Andes
A wild challenge that also marks a personal and professional turning point for the young trail runner. At the end of the month, Donovan will leave his engineering job, tired of office life. After two years of trail running and several ultras under his belt, he now wants to live his passion by organizing mountain adventures and bringing together a community around outdoor activities.
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This Lyonnais Everest will also serve as a springboard for even bigger projects. In February, Donovan will head off for four months in the Andes, before aiming for the UTMB in August. And why not do it again in Lyon this summer, with a more structured version? In the meantime, Fourvière is getting ready to become, for a weekend, the tallest peak in the city.
Source : Actu Lyon