The WISE Circle
At the end of 2023, we introduced our first athlete collective, comprised of four athletes: Sylvain Court, Johann Baujard, Kevin Vermeulen, and Célia Gigout. Since then, the team has grown to include Emeline Oudet, Axelle Nardoux, Hélène Léger, and Corentin Play.
When the Team question was raised, we wanted to approach it in our own way and while maintaining our philosophy. It's not a Team, but rather a "circle of poets of effort and self-improvement." Indeed, for this collective, competition does not occupy the central place because the culture of trail running extends well beyond races and bibs. If the athletes are intended to inspire practitioners and influence the practice, we want to use their voices to show a practice more focused on roaming, OFF or FKT (Fastest Known Time).
Our goal isn't to beat times, but rather to explore new trails, with the primary quest being the original pleasure of moving from point A to point B using only the power of one's body. A bit like a hunter-gatherer.
The WISE circle is now made up of 8 athletes passionate about trail running and wide open spaces who have made it a philosophy of life and have anchored it in their daily balance.
The 8 2024 athletes of the Cercle Wise
The odds and places are given for information purposes only because many people like data!
Kevin Vermeulen: ITRA 871
Having entered the world of trail running with a bang, with a podium finish at the OCC in 2018, Kevin has since specialized in marathon distances. Dreaming of long periods spent in the great outdoors and eager to challenge himself over longer distances, Kevin is launching his reconversion to longer formats. The 2024 season was very good, with many races going well for him, including a victory at the MCC and a very good place (8th) at the Grand Trail des Templiers!
→ his instagram .
Johann Baujard: ITRA 869
Originally from the Massif Central, Johann lives in the Hautes-Alpes. He travels the mountains on skis in the winter and on trails in the summer. Attracted by personal and original adventures, he lined up for Zegama this year, a race that was close to his heart and of which he will keep a pure, authentic and tough memory! He finished 21st with a crazy density of runners. He also ran the French Mountain Championships (6th) and the French Trail Championships (9th) where he was able to validate a great return to competition!
→ his instagram .
Sylvain Court: ITRA 851
A mountaineer at heart, he loves to crisscross the Belledonne massif during his training. With a wealth of experience and an iconic figure in trail running thanks to his many years at a high level and his world champion title in 2015, Sylvain wants to give his career a new lease of life. This year, Sylvain won the Ultra Trail de Saint Jacques, the Pastourelle, and the Xtrail du Ventoux. He also shone near Millau during the Endurance Trail des Templiers (2nd). A more complicated UTMB, but no one doubts that he will return to these beautiful Alpine trails to complete this legendary tour of Mont Blanc.
→ his instagram .
Corentin Play: ITRA 847
A newcomer to the world of trail running, Corentin is originally from Saint Étienne. He has been discovering the discipline for a few months and is testing himself in different formats. He notably performed well in the SaintéLyon at the end of the year with a fine 9th place, but also in the Trail de Saint Jacques 50K format (4th), the Marathon Race (3rd), the Trail des Givré (4th) and the Sainté Trail Urbain with a victory ahead of Baptiste Chassagne.
→ his instagram .
Célia Gigout: ITRA 708
Born in 1997, Célia made a name for herself by winning several races, including the 100K Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura in 2023. This year, she was able to show her progress at the French Long Trail Championship with a hard-to-get 11th place, as well as in the 70K Wildstrubel by UTMB with a 4th place. A difficult end to the season on the SaintéLyon with a lot of fatigue accumulated throughout the year, but Célia took the opportunity to switch off and recharge her well-emptied batteries in order to attack 2025 with determination, desire and passion.
→ his instagram .
Axelle Nardoux: ITRA 611
Co-founder of Wise, Axelle enjoys multi-day treks and discovering ever-increasing trails. From Brittany to Corsica, from UTMB trails to steeper ones, Axelle likes to throw herself into her projects prepared! She also enjoys pinning on race numbers and enjoying a variety of races. This season, she notably ran the Intégrale des Causses (7th) and the Restonica Trail (5th), and shared her beautiful Breton trek on the GR34 with us in November.
→ his instagram .
Emeline Oudet: ITRA 702
A former high-level kayaker and resident of Pau for 10 years, Emeline developed a passion for trail running late in life and has always been drawn to long distances. For her, trail running is about exploring and discovering her environment and discovering herself. A somewhat disjointed season with injuries but a desire to find the keys to continue progressing! The year started very well with a victory at the Hivernale du Baigura and some very good sensations, as well as at the Val Tho Summit Games (2nd VT Speed) and the Xtrail Courchevel (5th). A great confirmation at the Grand Raid des Pyrénées with a gourmet sequence: Tour des Neouvielle 42K (3rd) and Tour des Moudang 64K (1st) in preparation for the Diagonale des Fous. Unfortunately, a new injury stopped Emeline in her tracks. She was unable to finish her crossing of Reunion Island. Fortunately, she had carried out a reconnaissance mission (over 4 days), so it was only half disappointed that she returned to mainland France with a new injury.
→ his instagram .
Hélène Léger: ITRA 635
Originally from the flatlands, Hélène enjoys running in all rolling formats, whether in nature or on asphalt. She won the title of French 24-hour Champion last September. She also ran the Ecotrail de Paris in USA prep mode and, above all, the Western States in California (100 miles 23h06). It was the culmination of a great dream and the discovery of a different vision of trail running, more intimate and authentic.
→ his instagram .
On the road to 2025 !
Will the Circle expand? What will the major objectives be? Roaming in the center? The OFF in gourmet mode and the FKT in great escape mode? We will share all of this with you with enthusiasm and simplicity. On the menu, major new equipment so that you are armed from head to toe and take on all the trails, all the crossings and everything that excites us!
To keep moving forward, exploring, leaving as few traces of our passage as possible: this is our plan, our quest for authentic pleasure, flow and freedom.