Hugo Deck and Ruth Croft Win on Debut at Diagonale des Fous 2026
Hugo Deck broke 23 hours and Ruth Croft finished 11th overall as both runners won their first Diagonale des Fous, taking the titles over Réunion’s demanding 180-kilometre course.
With approximately 10,200 metres of climbing between Saint-Pierre and Saint-Denis, the 2026 route offered a substantial test even for an experienced international field. Deck reached La Redoute in 22:54:19, while Croft secured the women’s victory in 27:13:23.
Deck Makes His Move at Maïdo
Vincent Esmiol set the early pace, but Deck closed the gap through Mafate and took control on the climb towards Maïdo. The 26-year-old Frenchman then pulled clear, turning the second half into a decisive breakthrough on one of ultrarunning’s biggest stages.
Robin Juillaguet finished second in 23:51:54, with Belgium’s Jérôme Vanderschaeghe completing the podium in 24:10:35. Local runner Judicaël Sautron took fourth, ahead of Nicolas Gourdon.
The race proved costly for several leading contenders. Esmiol eventually withdrew, as did Jean-Philippe Tschumi. Tom Evans continued after an early fall and finished seventh.
Croft Wins and Takes 11th Overall
Croft delivered a controlled performance at the front of the women’s race, maintaining her advantage through the technical terrain and finishing just outside the overall top ten.
The New Zealander’s 11th place overall adds weight to a convincing debut victory. Alyssa Clark finished second, approximately 73 minutes behind, while Agathe Bès secured third. Emma Stuart followed in fourth.
For Deck and Croft, the result was an emphatic introduction to the Diagonale. Both arrived with established credentials; both left Réunion with a first victory at a race that demands far more than speed.
Hold W Club · Race Results
Diagonale des Fous 2026
180 km · Réunion
Men’s Podium
| Pos. | Runner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Hugo Deck France | 22h 54m |
| 🥈 | Robin Juillaguet France | 23h 51m |
| 🥉 | Jérôme Vanderschaeghe Belgium | 24h 10m |
180 km · Réunion
Women’s Podium
| Pos. | Runner | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | Ruth Croft New Zealand | 27h 13m |
| 🥈 | Alyssa Clark United States | 28h 26m |
| 🥉 | Agathe Bès France | 29h 05m |
