Thomas Cardin

“Balancing desire and reason.”

Thomas Cardin

Biography

Thomas Cardin is a French trail runner, born on 9 February 1995 in Paris and raised in Grenoble. After a youth shaped by competitive swimming, he discovered running and then trail during his student years, joining the Taillefer Trail Team. He rose to the top of the French scene with multiple national titles, before delivering a landmark 2024 season: European Trail Champion in Annecy, winner of the Grand Trail des Templiers, and claiming his third SaintéLyon victory. He joined the KIPRUN Team Trail in 2024. Now a full-time professional athlete, he has taken a new turn towards ultra-endurance, highlighted by a resounding victory at the Chianti Ultra Trail (120km) and an incredible 4th-place finish at the legendary Western States 100.

Discipline

Trail / Mountain running

Race distances

20–40K / 45K / 50–60K / 80K / Ultra (100K+)

Nationality

🇫🇷 France

Date of birth

9 February 1995

Hometown

Grenoble, France

With KIPRUN since

2024

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Key highlights

European Champion – Trail (Annecy 2024)

He won the European Trail title in Annecy and capped off a landmark season, also claiming victory at the Grand Trail des Templiers.

Three-time SaintéLyon winner (2021, 2023 & 2024)

A specialist in fast and demanding profiles, he has won this iconic winter classic three times.

Historic Western States 100 Finish (2026)

Following a masterful victory at the Chianti Ultra Trail (120km), he achieved an extraordinary 4th-place finish at the legendary Western States 100.

Away from racing, Thomas leads a very grounded and family-oriented life. While he long balanced elite sports with his part-time job as a primary school teacher in Chambéry, he recently chose to transition to a full-time professional athlete. It was a major decision, allowing him to handle the demanding training load of ultra-trail running and optimize his recovery, all while protecting precious time with his family. What stands out about him is an approach that remains simple yet demanding, built on consistency, clear-headed decision-making, and a strong team mindset.