The Mauritian endurance scene is set for a luminous transformation in 2026. Following the sell-out success of its 2025 debut, The Loop Backyard Limited has announced its return with a brand-new, overnight challenge designed to test the spirit as much as the legs: The Loop – Sunset to Sunrise.
The 2026 season kicks off on Saturday, 23 May with an innovative 12-hour endurance experience at the Mont Choisy Golf Estate. In a departure from traditional high-pressure racing, Sunset to Sunrise offers an inclusive, loop-based format where the primary goal is simply to keep moving from one day into the next.
Whether running or walking, participants will navigate the estate’s pristine grounds under the stars, returning to a vibrant “base camp” after every loop. With no maximum time limit per lap and a strict cap of 140 entries, the event is designed to be a safe, controlled, yet deeply inspiring overnight challenge. Athletes will have personal stations for fuel, rest, and gear, allowing friends and family to remain an active part of the support crew from the first shadow of dusk to the rising sun.
Building on the 2025 inaugural event at Domaine de Labourdonnais, which drew over 200 participants and spectators, the 2026edition scales this momentum. While the Sunset to Sunrise event offers an inclusive 12-hour adventure, the August Backyard Ultra serves as the season’s pinnacle for endurance specialists. It remains a high-calibre mental duel, designed to challenge the limits of the human spirit until only a lone finisher remains.
“I am truly excited to launch the first edition of The Loop Sunset to Sunrise this year. It is a thrilling and unique concept for Mauritius, offering participants the rare opportunity to experience an overnight event from dusk to dawn. What makes it especially meaningful to me is its inclusive spirit: it gives space to stronger runners, but also to those who are slower, newer to endurance, or simply curious to step into longer distances and longer-duration challenges. I am very much looking forward to this new adventure and to welcoming everyone on race day,” said Estelle Poupinel de Valence.
The Loop is redefining the sporting atmosphere in Mauritius. By moving away from traditional point-to-point marathons, the loop format turns the event base camp into a festival-like hub. Supporters can see their athletes at the end of every loop, creating an electric, high-energy environment that sustains participants through the toughest hours of the night. It is a unique community experience that celebrates the power of movement against the backdrop of Mauritius’ most stunning landscapes.
Registration details, specific course maps, and partner announcements will be released in the upcoming weeks. Interested participants are encouraged to visit www.the-loop.run or follow the community updates on social media.
About Estelle Poupinel de Valence
A veteran of the trail-running circuit since 2008, Estelle has transitioned from 10 km sprints to the world of ultra-trails. As the founder of runher Mauritius and The Loop Backyard Limited, she is dedicated to professionalising the local endurance landscape while promoting the joy of movement across all fitness levels. Her purpose is simple: to deliver events that are professionally run, deeply human, and truly unforgettable.
