Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patient to Tackle Diagonale des Fous, says Grand Raid Réunion
Diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2025, 42-year-old Henri de Rodellec is preparing to start the Diagonale des Fous ultra-trail on October 15, 2026, after receiving approval from his hematologist, the Grand Raid Réunion reported. He indicates that he still follows a daily treatment.
- Henri de Rodellec, diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in 2025, received approval from his hematologist to compete in the 2026 Diagonale des Fous, and still follows a daily treatment.
- The course spans 180 kilometers with 10,200 meters of positive elevation, requiring adherence to standard semi-autonomy and safety controls without medical accommodations on the trail, and the runner remains subject to the exact same mandatory equipment and constraints as all registered participants.
Medical Clearance and Treatment Adjustments for the Diagonale des Fous
The 180-kilometer ultra-trail demands crossing 10,200 meters of positive elevation within a strict 66-hour maximum time barrier, as detailed by the Grand Raid Réunion. The competition starts on October 15 at 22:00 from the Ravine Blanche in Saint-Pierre. Because his therapeutic regimen requires taking medication at exact, regular intervals, his specialist exceptionally authorized a temporary treatment interruption specifically for the duration of the race. The Grand Raid Réunion notes that this individual authorization does not constitute a generalized clinical recommendation for other patients managing hematological malignancies. The testimony published by the Grand Raid Réunion does not present the race as a medical step.
Preparation and Constraints on the Course
Despite the ongoing pathology, physical preparation proceeded without incident. The Grand Raid Réunion reports that the runner will remain subject to the exact same mandatory equipment checks, safety rules, and semi-autonomy constraints as every other registered competitor. Illness or not, the runner will remain bound to the identical controls, mandatory equipment, and semi-autonomy constraints as all other entrants. The reporting from the Grand Raid Réunion highlights his pragmatic outlook on the starting line: Je suis prêt, après, sur la ligne de départ, je ne serai pas prêt. Et puis, au vu de mes capacités physiques, je sais que je ne serai pas premier,
he noted with humor. His stated objective is to complete the traverse within 48 hours, while his primary goal remains crossing the finish line.
Participant Wants to Inspire Children After Diagnosis
Beyond personal athletic ambition, the participant aims to demonstrate to his children that a severe diagnosis does not halt life plans. In the message relayed by the organizer, Henri de Rodellec explains that he wants to show his children that a serious diagnosis does not forbid continuing to build projects. The Grand Raid Réunion notes his explicit intent: Je veux montrer à mes enfants que leur père n’est pas à terre. J’ai eu très peur et là, ça se passe bien. La maladie est différente pour chacun, il faut continuer à faire des projets.
He has aligned his participation with the Fédération Leucémie Espoir, an organization supporting blood disorder patients, their families, hospitalization conditions, supportive care, and hematology research funding. He also associates his bib number with an objective of raising awareness about chronic myeloid leukemia, frequently designated by the acronym CML. The Grand Raid Réunion points out that while the runner supports the federation, the organizers have not announced any specific financial collection or fundraising mechanism attached to his bib number, which is 622.