La Route du Sourire takes place in late February in Lestrem, a town in Pas-de-Calais, northern France. The event is designed for both runners and walkers, offering a variety of distances. The program features short road or trail options of approximately 5 km, middle distances ranging from 10 to 12 km, and a 30 km trail for those seeking a longer morning run. Separate courses are provided for children and juniors, and hikers have their own walking routes that begin earlier in the day.
The name translates to “The Smile Route,” and the event embraces this with the motto “Tout pour le smile!” and the concept of running for happiness. The charitable aspect is significant, with registration fees supporting Louane conte CDKL5 and Captain Louis. The race village serves as a meeting point for participants after their events, and runners also receive a tombola ticket. Recent finisher numbers have grown from hundreds to over a thousand, indicating a local community event capable of attracting a substantial crowd.