Christian Maurer (SUI1) is now taking his final steps to Peille – and walking into history. He is just 3km from winning the Red Bull X-Alps, the world’s toughest adventure race, for the fifth consecutive time. Despite a slight hobble; the result of a knee injury, he is striding on like a victor, hand in hand with his girlfriend.

He spent last night on the shores of the Mediterranean, with a family who offered him hospitality and a bowl of pasta. It seems fitting that even strangers recognise the gargantuan scale of his achievement.

‘One of my goals this time was to enjoy it a bit more, and not go out on the edge,’ he said.  ‘Yesterday evening, I was invited to stay the night with a local family and they cooked for me and my family. It's been a real adventure. I've tried to go as fast as possible for sure but also to just enjoy it.’

Today, Chrigel Maurer is a very happy man.