France·2026

Béthune

Béthune sits on the Lys river in the flat mining country of Nord-Pas-de-Calais, where cycling dominates over running. The Brevet de Randonneurs Mondiaux 200 km event based nearby in Beuvry attracts long-distance cyclists; La ronde des Beffrois is the local 140km signature ride linking medieval belfries across the region. Runners find the terrain pancake-flat and suited to tempo work, though the landscape of pit villages and canal paths lacks dramatic features—the Cross duathlon du Haricot in Zegerscappel draws the small regional trail community.