Seb Spehler of France is the two-time defending Les Templiers champion, and he’s back to race the 2021 edition. In the following interview, Seb talks about why he keeps returning to this race, why he thinks he’s raced so well at Les Templiers over the years, what his 2021 in training and racing has looked like, and how he sees the men’s race playing out on Sunday.
For more information on who’s racing Les Templiers be sure to check out our in-depth preview before following our live coverage this weekend.
Seb Spehler Pre-2021 Les Templiers Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar, here with Seb Spehler before the 2021 Grand Trail des Templiers. How are you Seb?
Seb Sephler: I am fine, thank you.
iRunFar: You have won the last two editions of Les Templiers, and then there were two cancelations, are you happy to be back at the race?
Sephler: Yes, I’m really, really happy, and we are here but, that’s the way it is. So we are here.
iRunFar: This is, I believe, your fifth time at Les Templiers, more or less. Why do you keep coming back?
Sephler: Yes it is maybe five, it’s a beautiful race, it’s a beautiful surrounding, it’s a track I like a lot and I like the organization, it is good. And I like the south. The sun. The south of France.
iRunFar: The race is also good for you, why is this race part of your strengths?
Sephler: It’s a kind of a race that is good for me, and there are not so many of this kind of race in France so that’s one of the reasons I’m really happy to be here.
iRunFar: And is it because there’s more running and not such – there is mountains but not the Alps.
Sephler: It’s not because it’s you’re running all the time, it’s more like you have to be complete. You don’t need to be especially tough and strong in climbing. You need to be absolutely complete.
iRunFar: Okay, yeah. That’s cool. Last year you won many races, this year you did not finish EcoTrail de Paris, and you had a low result at Trail du Petit Ballon? I don’t know, what are the reasons?
Sephler: It’s been a strange season, for the EcoTrail, I was not as prepared as I wanted. Then the national championship and it was the Templiers, and sometimes you have to choose. I tried my best and I didn’t get the results I was expecting but that’s it, you have to make choices.
iRunFar: But no injuries? And do you feel strong going into Les Templiers?
Sephler: I would not say I’m strong, I’m not that proud. I am the king. I don’t want to be this high but I feel okay.
iRunFar: And no injuries?
Sephler: No, no, no. No problem.
iRunFar: And who do you think will challenge the king? This week?
Sephler: It’s a very open race, it’s hard to say. There are people like Rob [Simpson] or Benoît [Cori] or Nico [Martin], but it’s an open race, will have a wait and see.
iRunFar: Merci, bon chance! Thank you Vicki.
Sephler: Thank you.
