The Diagonale des Fous is renowned for being one of the most grueling races in the world. While athletic feats are individual, victory is often a collective effort. Operating in the shadows of the trails of Réunion Island is a truly unique organization driven by a single passion: Team DAF. A fiercely efficient volunteer organization that equips international and elite runners with the keys to conquer the island. This approach of sharing and selfless performance has earned them a nomination in the "Service of the Year" category at the Trail Running Awards.
From personal passion to the volunteer "War Room"
The story begins with firsthand experience. Fabrice Payet "DAF", the founder, ran the Grand Raid in 2004 and 2005. The race got under his skin, but he wanted to experience the event differently: by helping others.
The adventure started modestly in 2006 with Team Asics, but the real turning point came in 2007. That year, DAF brought in and assisted Julien Chorier, who went on to win the event. Proof was established: on terrain as hostile as Réunion Island, support makes all the difference. Since then, the organization has grown into an essential benchmark, particularly attracting international runners overwhelmed by local logistics.
Formula 1 logistics in the heart of the jungle
Today, Team DAF is a logistical powerhouse comprising 67 volunteers. Students, alumni, colleagues, or simply friends: all united by the desire to be part of the celebration.
Their mission? To turn aid stations into Formula 1-style pit stops.
Extensive presence: The team is deployed across all 12 authorized aid stations along the course.
Speed and precision: Equipment changes, nutrition, morale; everything is calibrated so the runner doesn't lose a single second.
Comprehensive support: The service begins well before the start, with strategic advice on how to approach the race.
This service, worthy of the most professional structures, is provided indiscriminately to supported athletes in a true spirit of mutual aid.
Outsmarting the traps of the Intense Island
Why is such a structure vital? Because Réunion Island cannot be easily tamed. The technical terrain, humidity, temperature fluctuations, and complex access make the race nearly impossible to win for an international (or mainland French) runner left to their own devices.
The Team DAF provides this local expertise. They help champions avoid the pitfalls the island has in store. Without this assistance, performing well at the Grand Raid remains a pipe dream for anyone who doesn't live locally. They are the bridge between the athlete's talent and the brutal reality of the terrain.
A track record of kingmakers
The statistics speak for themselves. Since Julien Chorier's victory in 2007, every male and female winner of the Grand Raid has been supported by DAF or The Team DAF (with the notable exception of François D'Haene and Kilian Jornet, backed by the powerful Salomon structure).
Starting with just a few runners, the team now supports over 50 elite athletes, cementing its status as a major player in the event.
Beyond pure performance, The Team DAF is applying to champion certain values. It is the only place in the world where a service of this level of expertise is offered out of pure passion, on a non-profit basis. The goal is to revive exchange, sharing, and knowledge transmission between dedicated volunteers and athletes who have traveled from the ends of the earth.
