Brice Lechevalier: Your life revolves around mountains. Is the Antarctic Ice Marathon your first marathon?
Simon Messner: Indeed, it is my first marathon, and in Antarctica, the conditions are truly challenging! I have been running regularly for a number of years, to stay fit and maintain my stamina. I run 1,000 to 1,500 meters uphill and then back down, which I find fairly easy. But starting to run longer distances is a lot more complicated, it’s a whole different game, and I think it is a good thing for me to explore something new.
Did Laurent Lecamp, who is an avid runner, give you any advice?
Yes, he has tried (laughs). I know that Laurent is a good runner, so I have tried to apply his advice during my training sessions, and I intend to do the same during the race.
Do you have a goal for this marathon, apart from finishing it?
Finishing it would be great, but running a good time would be a great achievement. Laurent will help me; he will be my pacer, as they say. So, together, we're going to give it our all, in under 4 hours if possible. Having never covered such a distance, it's quite hard for me to set myself a time target.
What do you think will be the key to success?
The weather will be crucial. If the wind blows strongly and in the opposite direction, it slows down the race, and above all it can make the temperatures freezing. But on the other hand, it can also sweep the snow off the track and make our progress easier. In any case, the most important thing is the mind, as in mountaineering. Enjoy a lot and suffer a little; that is the law of sport. I couldn't have hoped for a better partner than Laurent for this first marathon.
You will be wearing this limited edition 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole...
Yes, I am really looking forward to testing this watch which contains no oxygen inside, thus avoiding any humidity-related issues due to temperature variations between our tent and the outside world. It is a great advantage. I also really like the fact that it is automatic and very light. That is exactly what I look for in mountaineering, because - as you must know - the biggest climbs are the ones where you can't bother with anything superfluous: you simply invest your energy and skills, without helicopters, fixtures, or extra oxygen. What’s more, I really like the way it looks, with lots of details that fit in perfectly. The dial, inspired by the ice at the South Pole, is truly incredible! In conclusion, I think this is a watch where, in a certain way, watchmaking and mountaineering meet: it is all in the details.
