Grand Raid des Cathares - Carcassonne

Grand Raid des Cathares is a trail-running series held in Carcassonne, located in the Aude department of Occitanie in southern France. It takes place in October, offering runners a range of distances. These extend from a 12 km night race near the Château Comtal to the 161 km Grand Raid des Cathares, which involves approximately 7,000 meters of elevation gain. The series caters to various skill levels with options at 12, 25, and around 40 km, mountain-style races at 65 and 85 km, and two challenging ultras at 101 and 161 km. The race routes are named after Cathar history and feature the region's terrain. Names like Bogomiles, Troubadours, Hérétiques, Colombes, Patarins, and Château Comtal connect the event to Carcassonne’s medieval heritage. The 101 km Raid des Bogomiles includes about 4,300 meters of climbing, and the 65 km Trail des Hérétiques requires around 2,100 meters. Even the shorter ultras present significant climbs. Participants must consult the mandatory gear list for each race, appropriate for an event that includes both short night efforts and long, demanding ultras through Occitanie.