After Sport Ritual
Shock and Roll
Bye Bye Burn
Blog
Sports
Events
Press
At just 23 years old, Augustin Kerhardy is a rising star in trail running, impressing with his talent, discipline, and generosity. Portrait of an athlete to watch…
How do you reach elite level in trail running? Augustin Kerhardy’s turning point
When he signed up for the local race in his village a few years ago, did Augustin have any idea he was stepping into a world that would change his life? Probably not. But at 23 years old, he has just taken a decisive turn: stepping into high-level trail running.
Listening to him, it all started almost by chance, after a childhood spent trying out nearly every sport. “I did that race and loved the atmosphere. On top of that, I realized I wasn’t half bad—I finished 4th!” he laughs. So he kept going, training between the trails of Picardy and the Angevin countryside while completing an agricultural BTS.
“I realized pretty quickly that working in agriculture wasn’t for me. I needed to switch paths. I found a job in a running store in Paris. I met a lot of other runners, did tons of races, and started winning and performing well. From there, everything just skyrocketed.”
But the real trigger came during the night race from Saint-Étienne to Lyon, which he ran as part of a relay. “We did it as a relay team with a friend, and we won. It was 2022, and I had stars in my eyes being on the same start line as all these athletes I admire so much. It gave me such a boost!”
He specializes in 50–60 km races. The level rises, the wins stack up on increasingly demanding courses, and opportunities multiply. Augustin signs his first contracts with sponsors. And as his practice becomes more professional, he decides to build a team around himself.
Vision and method: the secrets behind performance
Augustin is passionate. When he talks about his journey and victories, his eyes sparkle. But he’s well aware that trail running is about technique, discipline, and training. He wants to do things the right way, so he gives himself every possible advantage—with plenty of rigor and determination.
He explains, “I started on my own because, thanks to my sports background, I already had the athletic foundations. But if you want to take your performance further, you can’t just do anything. At first, I made mistakes—I wanted to do too much—but I quickly chose to work with coaches who gave me structure. Organizing specific training blocks, recovery periods, or even planning a season isn’t something you can improvise. Last year was my best season. I think there’s no secret—my results are due to the work I did with my coach,Adrien Séguret, who is also the coach of the French national trail team.”
He looks ahead to 2027: “I’m trying to choose challenging races but also formats that match my current experience—more runnable courses with less elevation. The idea is to gradually transition toward more mountainous formats. I don’t set strict goals except when I need qualifications for certain competitions. I’m not necessarily chasing a ranking or a time. We’re all on the start line for the same thing. I know I’m not going to win the French championship this year. The field is incredibly dense. But if I manage to place in the top 20 at the race from Orsières to Chamonix at the end of August, I’d be among the best French runners—and that would be a dream.”
Surrounding yourself to recover
Augustin has just settled in Annecy to be closer to the Alps and improve his elevation gain skills. Even though he’s clearly excited, he insists on continuing to work with method and discipline. “I have to be careful. I’ve arrived in the mountains, and I’m thinking this is awesome, I’m going to do tons of elevation. But my body isn’t used to it—I try not to see myself as a mountain guy. When I look at the runners who beat me, I have to remember they’ve been doing this for 5 or 10 years. I don’t have their experience!”
Progressing in trail running takes time and an enormous amount of patience. “This summer, I may have pushed things too fast. I did a lot of mountain running. I moved. I started a new job. It’s tough to juggle everything, and I got injured: I developed a bone edema. I managed to stop right before a stress fracture. I had to stop completely for a month to recover. Now I’m easing back into it, but when you’re used to running 20 hours a week, it feels strange to run five times for one minute!”
Even with Augustin’s discipline, injury can happen quickly. That’s why he likes to refocus on what truly matters to him.
“In trail running, you spend long hours outside training, and sometimes you just don’t feel like it. It’s a tough sport, where you have to accept being alone often. But in my approach, I’m not isolated. I have a manager, my coach is with me at races, and I have my whole support crew. My wife is also very involved in the project because it’s demanding for family life. When I experience a race with her and all my friends, I feel like I’m living something collective.”
Knowing how to surround yourself is key for Augustin—right down to choosing his sponsors: “It’s important to me that things feel natural and easy!I’m happy to work with brands that are attentive to our needs.”
Recovery plays a crucial role in Augustin’s life. He’s very committed to his lifestyle: he pays attention to his sleep,avoids excess, and follows his coach’s advice to the letter. But what matters most to him is reconnecting with his loved ones. “A big part of my daily life revolves around trail running, so it’s important for me to find balance. Being self-centered doesn’t last more than two years. I admire athletes who manage to stay consistent over time. My wife supports me a lot, but she doesn’t run—and honestly, that’s a great thing. Trail running is part of our life, but it’s not everything.”
