Trail Nocturne en Savès

The Trail Nocturne en Saves begins in Forgues, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, leading runners into the communal forest of Rieumes after dark in late November. This night trail race offers two distances: La Salamandre, 12 km with 350 m elevation gain, and La Casteras, 22 km with 550 m elevation gain. The race operates on a semi-autonomous basis, providing water at the midpoint and a more comprehensive aid station near the finish. The courses are approximately 95% within the forest, making it primarily a headlamp-lit run on woodland paths. Conditions might allow runners to spot salamanders on the trails, inspiring the name of the shorter race. The organizing association, VTT en Coeur de Garonne, comprises about 50 members involved in mountain biking, trail running, trekking, and strength training. The event has maintained an eco-responsible trail label for three consecutive years, demonstrated through practices like clean-course policies and the use of reusable course markers.