Royan beach trail 2026

Royan Beach Trail is an urban trail race held in November in Royan, located on the Charente-Maritime coast of western France. The start and finish are situated before the town auditorium, and the event is organized by Team Trail 17. It provides short trail distances of approximately 8-9 km and a longer option of about 14-16 km, with relay and timed-walk versions also included. Children have their own short races covering 700 m and 1.4 km. The course combines town streets, paths, beach sections, sand, natural areas, and forest, meaning it is not solely a flat run beside the sea. The sandy portions are a significant element, and the route may feature sharp turns, ascents and descents, stairs, and up to roughly 150-200 m of elevation gain based on the distance. One past edition took place entirely at night, offering a distinct atmosphere to the Royan coast and making the beach sections particularly noticeable. The race is relatively new, with only a few editions completed, yet it has established a distinct character: a contained coastal trail where runners, walkers, relay teams, and children all share the same starting point in Royan.