La sancylienne - Chambon-sur-Lac

La Sancylienne is a mountain running weekend held in Chambon-sur-Lac, within the Puy-de-Dôme region of France’s Massif du Sancy. It divides the racing into two distinct solo events: a Friday evening Verticale de Chambon des Neiges, approximately 4.4 to 4.5 km with 630 to 650 m of climbing, and a Saturday Ronde de Chaudefour, about 16.5 km with around 1,050 m of elevation gain. The vertical race is short, steep, and semi-nocturnal, beginning with a mass start from Sancy Resort and ascending toward the Sancy ridges as daylight diminishes. The longer race maintains the mountain character but incorporates a full loop-style effort. The route climbs significantly before returning to the start, rather than finishing at a high point. Recent race details place La Sancylienne in high mountain terrain near lakes and the Col de la Croix-Morand, with distances ranging from 15 to 19 km and up to nearly 1,500 m of ascent. The field is small by mass-race standards, expecting around 200 runners, with three aid stations noted on one course and a four-hour time limit. The Ronde de Chaudefour name connects to the older Chambon-sur-Lac mountain race, linking this newer two-race format to over three decades of local racing history.