A New Spark on the Trail: Théo Détienne Joins the Brooks Trail Runners

How does the night change the way you move or think?

"At night, everything feels different: we lose many visual cues our brain is used to. Our field of vision narrows, everything feels tighter, and we only see the few meters illuminated by the headlamp. It’s a unique sensation: I feel both freer and more vulnerable. My thoughts become clearer, more primitive; it brings me closer to the present moment."  

Is there a moment in a race when everything clicks and you feel untouchable?

"I’ve felt this sensation before, but it is very rare. Usually, at the start of a race, during the first few kilometers, I feel strong, almost untouchable, but reality often catches up. In 2025, when I won the 90 km of Mont-Blanc in Chamonix, I was in great form, and this feeling lasted all the way to the finish line. That day, nothing could stop me."

What are you really chasing when you step onto the trail?

"I seek the feeling of becoming one with the mountain, the rocks, the roots, the trees… like an animal moving in a world that has accepted it and where it belongs. But I also seek the challenge: the desire to improve every day and the ability to push my limits as far as possible."

What part of you shows up on the trail that people never see elsewhere? What part of your story matters most to you right now?

"What comes out is my animal instinct: the ability to block out everything and focus only on the present moment and each stride. This primitive side, usually hidden, reveals itself on the trail. The part that matters most to me is the moments of doubt, when I feel like everything could stop overnight, but I manage to turn it into a strength to keep moving forward."

What does the terrain teach you?

"Nature will always win: it’s up to me to adapt to it, and that will always be true. It is stronger than us and dictates the rules."

What’s the hardest thing you had to overcome to get here? When did you realize you were ready for more?

"The hardest thing I had to overcome was leaving my former life, with a job and stability, to dare to dream big and chase my performance goals in the mountains. Last year, I reached a new level: it was at that moment I realized that great things are possible, as long as you give yourself the means to achieve them."

What kind of storm do you want to bring to the trail scene? What excites you most about joining Brooks right now?

"I want a turning point to happen: I want to be part of the evolution of the discipline while preserving the original values and the essence of trail running. In just a few years, this sport has changed—for the better. What excites me most are the people I meet: the staff, eager to carry this project high, and the athletes, driven by the same flame of success and performance. Together, we strive to grow within a shared project."