From Water to Mountains: Antoine Thiriat’s Rise
Antoine Thiriat developed a passion for sport at a very young age. First following in his brothers’ footsteps by playing football and practising judo, he later discovered windsurfing. For ten years, he sailed across Lake Gérardmer, where he lived with his parents. But as he began studying law, he gradually moved away from a discipline whose evolution no longer matched his aspirations. That was when this lover of the great outdoors discovered trail running.
“It came very naturally,” explains the young athlete. “I often went hiking with my family when I was little. I had always done a bit of running. Then one day, I put on my running shoes and went out for my first run, then a second and a third. Each time, I went a little further, rediscovering the freedom I had loved so much about windsurfing. I could go wherever I wanted and carve my own path. It was all the more exhilarating because I had reached a plateau in windsurfing. In trail running, I quickly started achieving good results, which encouraged me to keep going.”
From the outside, it might seem that Antoine Thiriat took things slowly, almost casually. He even describes himself as somewhat self-taught. But a closer look leaves no doubt about the athlete’s determination.
“It’s true that most people start trail running with distances of around 20 km. I wanted to go straight into ultra-trail running,” he explains. “During my first races over 42 km, I never really felt like I was struggling. I had prepared for them, even if my training was a little unstructured. I immediately fell so deeply in love with long distances that it felt as though nothing else existed.”
And his passion for trail running has certainly paid off: Antoine Thiriat has achieved a string of successes and impressive results. He has attracted the attention of major brands and turned his passion into a professional pursuit.
Running to Restore the Mountains
When Antoine Thiriat laces up his running shoes, he does so to pursue his thirst for freedom, push his limits, follow in the footsteps of legends such as Kilian Jornet and François D’Haene, but also to convey a message.
Beyond being a promising ultra-trail athlete to watch closely, the young man is also a PhD candidate… in environmental law. His research explores ways to restore environmental damage through in-kind remediation.
“Since 2016, following the Erika oil spilland extensive case law concerning ecological damage, legislation has evolved. Those responsible for environmental disasters are now required to repair the damage caused through restoration measures, rather than simply paying traditional financial compensation. This can involve pollution clean-up operations, awareness campaigns, reintroducing species into their natural habitats, or restoring those habitats themselves. Through my thesis, I am trying to understand how this legal framework can benefit ecosystems. I want to develop a research focus on high-mountain environments. What I find fascinating is that I have to work with ecologists to understand and quantify the damage caused to nature.”
Antoine Thiriat encourages us all to reflect on the relationship between trail runners and their environment.
“As a runner, I can see that things are changing. At some races, for example, runners are required to use red lights along certain sections to limit light pollution. That’s already a positive step, but if we're being honest, it’s not enough. We need to go further, rethink the increasingly commercial model of these major events and reduce the number of race entries.”
The RGENtec Team: Going Even Further Together
Antoine Thiriat is aware that his environmental commitments and his trail running career can sometimes come into conflict.
“It’s difficult to claim to be 100% environmentally friendly. I often feel caught between what I stand for and what I actually do.”
To regain a sense of control, he carefully chooses the people and organisations he works with.
“When I discovered RGENtec, what first struck me was that the products were designed and manufactured in France. Then I met a truly dynamic team that genuinely cares about athletes. You feel supported and listened to. When you’re a professional or semi-professional athlete, you need both material and financial support, but also emotional support. That’s how you build something strong. A real team that shares the same vision of performance and the same values.”
Building a New Relationship with Recovery
Having the support of a team is motivating when everything is going well. But it becomes essential when setbacks occur.
A few months ago, Antoine Thiriat suffered a serious injury: a bad fall left him with a fractured talus bone. Unfortunately, when this bone in the foot is broken, it can take a very long time to heal. Since the accident, he has been relying on crutches, undergoing rehabilitation and following various treatments to recover.
But the young athlete remains philosophical.
“Even though an injury like this is always a bit of a rollercoaster, I can see that I’m gradually getting better. More than anything in the world, I hope to be able to run pain-free again one day. For now, the doctors keep telling me to be patient and focus on healing. But I’ve been patient for ten months now, and it’s starting to feel like a very long time!”
One of the stories that keeps him going is that of Margot Chevrier. In 2024, shortly before the Paris Olympic Games, the young pole vaulter landed badly while competing at the World Athletics Championships and also fractured her talus. Her career could have ended there, but through determination and perseverance, she has gradually made her way back to the highest level.
“Her story is a real source of inspiration for me. Her doctors told her the same things I hear every day, and seeing her competing at the European Championships today gives me a lot of hope.”
So Antoine Thiriat continues to push forward, refusing to give up and reinventing the way he approaches sport. He has taken up swimming and cycling. He is working on strength training. And above all, he has completely rethought his relationship with recovery.
“Before, like many young athletes, I had a rather carefree attitude towards recovery. I didn’t really see the point of it. But since my accident, my daily routine involves icing my foot and applying cream (using the Shock and Roll roll-on), attending physiotherapy and osteopathy sessions, and doing strength training. I’ve created a new routine, and it’s actually far from unpleasant. I’ve realised just how important it is to take care of yourself. Before, I would have considered it a waste of time, but now it’s an integral part of my training.”
Like him, we believe that his passion, perseverance, zest for life and talent will help him overcome the pain and achieve his dream of taking part in legendary trail races in 2027.
