Half Marathon races near Allonnes

Festicap - Marathon de Guecelard takes place in late October in Guecelard, a town in Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, near Le Mans. The 42.195 km marathon is the only one held in Sarthe. The event also offers shorter races: 4.25 km, 11 km, and a half marathon. The event accommodates various participants, including a walking option, children’s and junior races, a relay, and an Ekiden. The course follows town roads, park paths, and forest trails. Hundreds of runners from across France, including locals, those from Le Mans and the Paris region, and visitors from Belgium, participate.

Cross Ouest France draws thousands of runners to Le Mans, Sarthe, in mid-January for a large cross-country race weekend supported by Ouest-France, the major French daily newspaper. Established in 1981, it features 16 races, giving it the feel of a running festival rather than a single event. The schedule includes a 20 km trail and a 10 km Nature race, alongside 7 km and 5 km cross-country races. A separate 5 km race is designated for women. Additionally, there is a handisport race, 13 km and 7 km Nordic walking events, canicross, children’s races, and a 2.5 km family loop. This variety allows club runners, walkers, families, children, and runners with dogs to participate in the same event.

The Parc de la Rivière trail run is a small event held at the Étang in Parc de la Rivière, Étival-lès-le-Mans, Sarthe, France. It features two race distances, 11 km and 16 km, both starting at 9:15 AM. An 11 km walk is also available for those who prefer to enjoy the outdoor setting without competing. Foulées d'Etival organizes the event, with online registration through Klikego and on-site sign-ups for walkers. The course follows paths through Étival and neighboring communes, presenting a local trail run rather than a flat road race. The organizer indicates natural variations in difficulty, implying varied terrain and sections. Entry fees are reasonable, with discounts for FFA-licensed runners, and the walking option is very affordable. As a first-edition event, its appeal lies in a relaxed community race centered on the park and local trails, offering a choice between running 11 km, running 16 km, or walking the shorter distance.