Kilian Jornet and Rémi Bonnet say training consistency is key ahead of Sierre-Zinal showdown

It’s surely the most anticipated trail running duel of the season so far as Kilian Jornet and Rémi Bonnet lock horns at Sierre-Zinal this Saturday.

It’s the fifth leg of the Golden Trail World Series and the pair have been chatting to the GTWS’ Mickaël Mussard about a range of topics ahead of the showdown, in a video interview that’s embedded below.

Be consistent, not crazy

First up was training and it was fascinating to hear two of the running greats underline the value of conistency.

Asked what the craziest training session he’s done before the extreme climbs and descents of Sierre-Zinal, nine-time winner Jornet said: “I think it’s more about being consistent, week after week after week after week.

“To prepare for Sierre-Zinal, I often do like one uphill and then some flat sections, but it’s not really crazy, it’s a normal training session, but you do this for many weeks, one after the other. I think people who do crazy sessions can manage one session, and that’s it.

It’s good for Strava and social media, but it’s not real training.

And that was echoed by Bonnet who revealed: “Yeah, I can say that because I once tried doing such a session. I did something like a VK and a flat 10K. It was at La Fully, under the heat, and then I was completely burned out for two weeks afterwards. So, it was a mistake.

“But I think the key is consistency, to stay at the same level for many weeks, and now to relax a bit without doing anything crazy.”

Why is Sierre-Zinal so special?

In stark contrast to Jornet, a Sierre-Zinal victory has so far eluded Bonnet and, asked why the race is so important to him, he said: “Because I’m Swiss, I think that’s one reason. I want to win it at least once, maybe this Saturday.

“But there is a guy I need to beat if I want to win. It’s good that he is here because if you win and he’s not, it doesn’t feel like a real victory.”

And as he looks for win number 10, Jornet says the rich history of the race makes it extra special: “It’s the 51st edition. That means it carries a lot of tradition. If you look at generation after generation, all the top runners from each generation have been here, running the same course. So, you can kind of compare yourself through the years, which is something unique.

“Plus, it’s a beautiful race. Even if we don’t see the landscape while running, when you’re here, this valley is one of the most beautiful in the Alps.”

Not all about ultras

It’s been great to again see the strength in depth at the GTWS again this season and that theme of the best taking on the best is something that has run through the season as a whole.

Asked what the Golden Trail Series brings to trail running, Bonnet suggested: “Maybe a bit more visibility for the sport.

“I think if you look at the race here, there has always been a high level, even before the Golden Trail Series. But I think for the other races in the circuit, it brings much more depth to the field. You see that every year the race times are getting faster. So, it’s a good way to bring all the best runners to the same place.”

And Jornet feels it also helps shine a light on races under the marathon distance, pointing out: “Especially in trail running, there was a lot of media focus on long distances – on ultras and these long races.

“What the Golden Trail Series has done is shift some of that focus to races that are shorter, but more competitive and interesting in terms of racing. It has put the spotlight on fast, technical, and entertaining trail running, not just on ultras.”