A meeting with Joseph Sauli

An interview with Joseph Sauli, chairman of the Ghjuventù Petralbinca association, which brings Pietralba to life through its events and community involvement. Under his leadership, the A Petralbinca trail run has become a major event, driven by volunteers, local residents and a desire to showcase the village in a different light. In this conversation, he looks back at the race’s origins, its link with the Lisula trail network and the paths that give this area its unique character.

The Ghjuventu Petralbinca association was founded in April 1993 on the initiative of a dynamic team keen to bring the village to life. We organise various festive events throughout the year. In recent years, we have organised a ‘pulenda’ evening, a children’s fair in Sainte Marie and, of course, our flagship event: the A Petralbinca trail run. Recently, young villagers have joined the association and brought a breath of fresh air with projects such as the Fête de la Musique, a boules competition and the Sant’Andria festival.

Interview

How did the A Petralbinca race come about?

In 2016, we decided to organise a trail run. Beyond the sporting aspect, our main aim was to showcase the village of Pietralba, its heritage and the beauty of the mountains. We’ve been fortunate to have the support of the villagers and those from neighbouring communities ever since the first race in 2017.

The Petralbinca has been a huge success this year, with a record 700 participants – why has it been so successful?

This success is, above all, down to the incredible dedication of our volunteers. From 5 am, they’re hard at work at the assembly point, along the routes, at the refreshment stations, in the villages the race passes through, and at the finish line. They help create the event’s warm and friendly atmosphere, offering help, encouragement and good cheer to the runners. It is thanks to their ‘macagna’ and their ‘stintu nustrale’ that the Petralbinca has become what it is today!

What has the Lisula Trail Centre brought to the event?

The collaboration withthe L’Ile Rousse Balagne Tourist Office and the Lisula Trail Centre has enabled us to install permanent signposting along our routes. This had long been a wish of the association, to enable trail running enthusiasts to train and explore the region all year round. The trail centre is a real showcase for the paths and trails in our area. Furthermore, taking part in events such as the Festival des Templiers in Millau alongside the Tourist Office has enabled us to raise awareness of the A Petralbinca race and to network with other organisers.

As a practitioner, what is your favourite route in Lisula?

The Lisula trail running area offers a wide variety of routes, suitable for all levels. That’s its strength! There’s something for everyone, with a range of distances and levels of difficulty. You can go from the coast to the peaks, with exceptional views over the Balagne. Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for the Feliceto KV (Vertical Kilometre), which a friend sums up perfectly as ‘straight up the slope!!!’.