Lazarus Lake: an incredible week in France during the UTMB®, thousands of encounters, and a friendship that lasts.
“France has become like a second home, and y’all a second family.” — Lazarus Lake
During UTMB week, Raidlight welcomed Gary “Lazarus Lake” Cantrell to France, creator of the
Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra. From Lyon to Chamonix, via Hauterives and
the Chartreuse, a week of walks, meetings, and conversations, culminating in the
world premiere of Lazarus Lake, The Hillbilly Scientist, the only authorized documentary
about Laz.
-
DOCUMENTARY FILM “LAZARUS LAKE – THE HILLBILLY SCIENTIST”
In Chamonix, three screenings at the Vox cinema marked the world premiere of Lazarus Lake, The Hillbilly Scientist, directed by Paul Mellor and Luke Jarmey and produced by Mellor&Smith.
Filmed over twelve months—from the Barkley to the Nevada desert, as well as in the private life of Laz and those close to him—the documentary seeks to look beyond the persona to understand Gary Cantrell, his journey, and his fascination with the physical and psychological limits of human beings.
After Chamonix, discussions began with several distribution partners, and the documentary is being presented at various film festivals and competitions.
-
A week of sharing
The week also offered a few special moments: returning to the lands of the Chartreuse Terminorum, discovering the Mer de Glace, and meeting people and signing autographs.
Invited to a private meeting with the mayor of Chamonix, Laz also watched the UTMB start from the town hall balcony. No cigarette lit as at the start of the Barkley, but the pleasure of seeing thousands of runners set off with the same ambition, whatever the format of their race: to go all the way and become a Finisher.
A vision that strongly resonates
with Raidlight’s, as the brand likes to define itself as “The brand for all Finishers.” -
LAZARUS LAKE × RAIDLIGHT COLLECTOR CAP
Inspired by Laz’s iconic red-and-black plaid shirt, this limited-edition collector’s cap celebrates the visit to France of one of the world’s greatest trail-running legends.
A unique memento of this exceptional meeting with Laz.
Limited edition.
A story of friendship
The story between Benoît Laval and Lazarus Lake began on the trails of the legendary Barkley Marathons. In four participations on the trails of the legendary Barkley Marathons, Benoît
achieved the unfortunate failure of completing five laps of this legendary race but over four editions, forging in the process a unique relationship with its creator.
Laz gave his approval to Benoît and his friends from the Triumvirate at the birth of the Chartreuse Terminorum as well as to the organization of the Chartreuse Backyard Ultra, the first held in France.
Even today, this exceptional week in France is above all the story of a friendship and a shared vision of trail running.
