La Loriolade

La Loriolade is a Saturday-afternoon road race held in Loriol-du-Comtat, a village in the Vaucluse department of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur. Participants can select from various distances: a 5 km option, a main race of either 10 km or 12 km depending on the source, and an 800 m run for the youngest or quickest participants. The atmosphere is intentionally friendly and festive, resembling a local Provence running gathering more than a large urban race event. The longer race attracts the most attention. One description notes the 10 km format can be run solo or as a two-person relay of 2 x 5 km. The event begins with the 800 m race in the late afternoon, followed by the 5 km and the longer race starting together early in the evening. LLA Loriolade is the organizer, entry fees are reasonable, and a bib exchange is offered for available spots after participants withdraw.