Odile Hochard, another vision of The Sultan Marathon des Sables (219-FRA)

The Sultan Marathon des Sables being an extraordinary race, it is only natural it attracts extraordinary people. Like Odile Hochard. Odile is a 52 years old French lady and she runs in support of “Bon pied bon œil”.
It’s her second participation. One of the things that makes her so special? Odile is blind. But she not the kind of person who submits to fate, on the contrary:
“To run this race is also a way of showing people like me that nothing’s impossible. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”, says she in a determined tone of voice shortly before setting off for the 5th and penultimate stage.
“I’m not fast, but I’m tough, I never give up. Besides, I wouldn’t want to disappoint my guide, Sylvain Stein (215, FRA) who is always encouraging me.”
An accomplished sportswoman – she’s done several raids in France –, Odile wants to encouraged blind and visually impaired people to throw themselves fully and happily into sport activities, a good way to fight social isolation. That’s why she supports a charity called “Hemera” after the Greek goddess of light.
A stunning example of courage and abnegation: hats off!

 « (...) ne perds jamais l'espoir, car la moelle la plus exquise est dans l'os le plus dur. »