Courir à Ydes begins at the socio-cultural center in Ydes, Cantal, France, offering three all-road distances: 5 km, 10 km, and a half marathon. The races take place in September and are FFA certified, qualifying participants for the French Championships. The 5 km and 10 km start concurrently in the morning, with the half marathon beginning slightly earlier.
The 10 km also functions as the Cantal Championship race, attracting runners aiming for a local title alongside those seeking a standard road race. Participation is determined by age category: minimes and older for the 5 km, cadets and older for the 10 km, and juniors and older for the half marathon. A practical consideration for the 5 km is that it is not a loop, and there is no return shuttle, requiring participants to jog back, carpool, or arrange transport with a volunteer. The post-race country buffet contributes to the event's appeal, and the organizers highlight it with evident pride.