The Indian Ocean doesn’t forgive, but it rewards those who dare.
On Réunion Island, one of the most remote volcanic territories on earth, nearly 3,000 runners gather each October to take part in the Grand Raid, famously known as La Diagonale des Fous — the Diagonal of the Mad. A 178-kilometer ultramarathon that slices across the island from south to north, through jungles, lava fields, and mountain ridges so steep they seem to pierce the clouds.

This year, the island breathes a special energy. Among the thousands of headlamps that will soon flicker across the darkness, one name echoes through the crowd — Sylvaine Cussot, or as everyone calls her, Sissi.

A Return to the Island That Heals

For Sissi, this isn’t just another race. It’s her fifth time facing the Diagonale, and her relationship with Réunion goes far beyond competition. Years ago, the island offered her a fresh start — a place to rediscover herself after a series of personal challenges. Here, surrounded by volcanic peaks and the warmth of its people, she found something more profound than victory: balance.

She doesn’t run to prove anything. She runs because she loves it — the freedom, the rhythm, the connection between body, mind, and nature. That’s why she’s one of the most beloved trail runners in the world. Her radiant smile at the start line, her calm focus, and her genuine kindness have made her a symbol of what this sport truly represents: joy through endurance.

The Race That Defines Limits

Covering 178 kilometers — or 100 miles — and nearly 11,000 meters of elevation gain, the Diagonale des Fous is one of the toughest races on Earth. The terrain changes constantly: slippery volcanic rocks, humid jungle trails, vanilla plantations, sharp ridgelines, and beaches framed by turquoise water.

But beauty here comes with a price.
Runners will climb through the night, crossing places like Cilaos, where many realize whether they can continue or not. Beyond that lies Mafate, a dense, green amphitheater carved by erosion and time — a place so isolated that the only way in or out is by helicopter or on foot. If you’re injured there at night, rescue must wait until dawn.

And yet, every year, thousands line up, driven by the same mysterious force: the need to discover how far they can go.

Behind the Lens: The Crew’s Race

While Sissi prepares to conquer mountains, our four-person film crew begins a race of its own.
Three filmmakers and one photographer, chasing light, emotion, and raw authenticity across an island that never stops moving. Our mission: to tell a story that blends three layers — Sissi’s emotional bond with Réunion, the spirit of one of the world’s toughest trail races, and the personal journey that fuels her steps.

Filming La Diagonale des Fous isn’t a typical shoot. It’s a logistical puzzle, a 48-hour endurance challenge in itself. Roads become impassable, traffic chokes every access point, and communication must be constant. We move fast, strategically — filming handheld most of the time, using drones when weather and rules allow, and capturing those fleeting moments that define both the race and the human spirit.

We’ll follow her through two nights, sleeping in rotation, recharging cameras and bodies for barely two hours before hitting the road again. There’s no margin for error; the story unfolds once, and it’s gone forever.

The Island, Alive

At the start line, the atmosphere is electric. The air buzzes with adrenaline and heat. Thousands of locals crowd the streets, drumming, singing, shouting encouragement. And when Sylvaine passes, a wave of emotion follows — people call her name, reaching out, smiling. She’s more than an athlete here; she’s part of the island’s soul.

Everywhere we go, we meet people ready to help — from volunteers offering food to villagers guiding us through narrow backroads. Réunion embraces the race as its own heartbeat.

Then come the mountain ridges — cinematic, almost unreal. From our drone’s eye view, runners look like glowing ants tracing a line across a sleeping volcano. Below, the mist rolls in from the Indian Ocean, wrapping the island in silence. Moments like these remind us why we’re here: to witness something that transcends sport.

A Journey of Grit, Grace, and Light

We know the next days will test us all — physically, mentally, emotionally. The weather might shift from dry heat to heavy rain in minutes. Mud, fatigue, and darkness will blur the senses. But Sissi’s calm presence keeps us grounded. Her determination is quiet, not explosive — a reminder that greatness often moves in silence.

As filmmakers, our challenge is not only to capture the race, but to translate what it feels like to be here — to show the exhaustion, the wonder, the raw humanity behind every step. Because this race, in many ways, is a metaphor for life on the island itself: unpredictable, beautiful, and endlessly alive.

To Be Continued

What happens during this edition of the Grand Raid — Sissi’s emotions, the weather, the unpredictable turns of fate — will be revealed in the documentary we’re filming right now. For now, we can only say this: we’re witnessing something extraordinary.

Réunion Island has its own heartbeat. It demands respect, strength, and surrender. And as the runners climb into the night, and our lenses follow their light, we are reminded why we came here:
to tell a story about courage, connection, and the wild beauty of endurance.

Following Sylvaine Cussot Through the Grand Raid Réunion