Odile Baudrier: 30 years of commitment to an ethical trail open to all
In this episode of the podcast, I welcome Odile Baudrier, co-founder of the famous Festival des Templiers trail race, which is the oldest trail race in France. She talks about the birth of the event, her commitment to women in running and the fight against doping, as well as her vision of a sustainable and responsible sport.
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Episode summary
Journalist, organizer and trail pioneer in France, Odile Baudrier co-founded the Festival des Templiers, the country’s first major trail race, in 1995. In this episode, she looks back at the birth of the event, her commitment to women in running and the fight against doping, as well as her vision of a sustainable and responsible sport.
From the beginnings of running to the creation of Les Templiers
Odile Baudrier had several lives before she became a leading trail runner. A former executive at the Banque de France, she left the sector to devote herself to her passion for running and journalism. With her husband, Gilles Bertrand, she founded the magazines VO2 and Endurance, before creating the Grande Course des Templiers in 1995, inspired by the American ultra-trail events she discovered while reporting.
Back then, trail running didn’t exist in France. Mountain races were run on roads or short courses. Les Templiers introduced a new format: trails, autonomy, distance and a spirit of adventure. It was an immediate success: from the very first edition, 500 runners set off without really knowing what to expect.
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Adapting the American model to the French terrain
Although the concept originated in the United States, Odile and Gilles have adapted it to the French context. The first course is 65 km long, instead of the usual 160 km for American 100-mile races, and the event is self-sufficient, with only three refreshment points.
“We wanted it to be an adventure, but a realistic one,” explains Odile.
The festival soon expanded. Longer and shorter formats were introduced, and above all, the Templière, a race reserved for women. An initiative that initially drew criticism, before becoming a symbol of openness and emancipation.
Making room for women
Through La Templière and her columns in VO2, Odile was an early advocate of women’s cycling.
“I saw how good running felt, both physically and mentally. I wanted women to make this space their own,” she confides.
La Templière enables many female participants to get started, then progress to longer distances. Gender parity in prize money has also been a feature of the festival for over ten years.
But for Odile, the main obstacle remains the lack of time: “Women are still responsible for the household and have less time to train.
Hence her desire for concrete initiatives, such as the Templier Social Club, a coaching program to encourage women who are far removed from the sport to (re)take it up.
Trail running, a sport worth preserving
Over the decades, Odile has seen trail running transform: professionalization, an explosion in distances, a proliferation of events. She is concerned about this “race to excess”:
“Some efforts become superhuman, and the body ends up paying for it. We forget that the essence of trail running is nature and pleasure.”
She calls for a return to moderation, respect for the body and the environment, and vigilance against the industrialization of sport.
Combating doping and promoting healthy sport
For over ten years, Odile has been involved in doping prevention. She warns of the excesses associated with long-distance racing, such as the use of anti-inflammatories, caffeine and stimulants.
“The trail also attracts amateurs who dop without realizing it, just to keep up.
For her, the answer must be twofold: rigorous controls for the elite, but also education and open speech for all practitioners.
“If we don’t talk about it, we give the impression that it’s normal. We need voices of opposition.”
A committed and responsible sport
Odile now wants to create a movement around “clean, responsible sport”, combining ethics, the environment and inclusion. She sees this as a natural extension of her commitment:
“Eco-responsibility isn’t just about nature: it’s also about social responsibility, equality and respect for the body.
A tip for sportswomen
Odile concludes with a simple yet powerful message: “Go for it, go for it, discover the paths. Start small if it scares you, listen to your body and your feeling. Make your freedom your sport.