Half Marathon races near Amboise

Runners start and finish at Château Moncontour, a hillside château in the heart of the Vouvray wine appellation overlooking the Loire Valley. Trail des Bulles is a two-day trail-running event in Vouvray, with racing beginning on Saturday evening and continuing on Sunday morning. More than 1,200 runners are expected across the programme, which includes a night 8 km race, Sunday distances of 21 km, 15 km and 8 km, an 8 km duo race, and a children’s Trail des Bubulles. The routes mix vineyard paths, forest sections, single track, short urban passages, and the hills above the Loire, so even the shorter races include climbs that bite. The Saturday 8 km can be run solo or as a pair, while the Sunday duo option is reserved for women’s or mixed teams. The event is run by Team Trail Touraine in association with Zoé & Le Tourbillon de la Vie, and the post-race tradition fits Vouvray perfectly: runners can finish with a glass of sparkling wine and appetizers at the château.

The La Pyjama Party Trail is a trail running and Nordic walking event held in Tours, located in France’s Indre-et-Loire department. Participants are encouraged to wear pajamas. The event takes place in mid-February and features forest and nature routes, courses for children and juniors, and at least one untimed option. The race distances range from 10 km to 21 km. The 10 km La Pilou-Pilou Découverte trail race had over 300 participants in its last edition, and the 21 km La Grenouillère Aventure is the longer trail option with over 100 participants. Nordic walkers have their own routes: the 11 km La Virée Nocturne is an untimed walk, and the 13 km La Nordic’Aventure is another Nordic walking course. The event is set in the Centre-Val de Loire countryside near Tours, combining a costume theme with forest running.

Entre Loire et Châteaux is a road and nature running event held in La Chaussée-Saint-Victor, Loir-et-Cher, within France’s Centre-Val de Loire region. Taking place in early March, it features a 10 km race and a half marathon, with options for children and juniors alongside the adult distances. The name reflects the location: participants run between the Loire River and the château country surrounding it. The courses are designed to showcase local natural landscapes, offering an alternative to purely urban routes. The event is structured to accommodate families as well as dedicated runners. Blois is a nearby town, and Chambord is approximately an hour's drive away. Villandry's gardens are also accessible for those extending their visit to the Loire Valley beyond the race weekend.

Rocanto'trail is a spring trail-running event held in Saint-Antoine-du-Rocher, a village in Indre-et-Loire within France's Centre-Val de Loire region. The adult races offer distances of 7 km, 14 km, or 21 km on nature trails, suitable for both new participants and those seeking a longer run. Dedicated races are also available for children and juniors, contributing to the event's atmosphere as a local club-and-family gathering rather than one solely focused on the main competition. The Ardrée Bluegreen golf course serves as the race hub, hosting the start, finish, and aid station for all participants. The children's "fun run" covers approximately 700 meters and is designed for children accompanied by an adult. Rocanto'trail supports ADEL CENTRE, an association aiding children with leukemia or cancer; one euro from each adult entry and all proceeds from the children's race are donated to the organization. Sébastien Barc, a multi-Olympic medalist and Olympic torchbearer, is the event patron. Now in at least its sixth edition, the race depends on volunteers for course marking, setup, and on-site support.

Rocanto'trail is a spring trail-running event held in Saint-Antoine-du-Rocher, originating from the Ardrée Bluegreen golf course. Participants can select from three course lengths: 7 km with approximately 70 m of elevation gain, 14 km with around 150 m, or 21 km with about 250 m. The golf course location serves as the starting point, finish line, and aid station, providing a convenient layout for both runners and observers. Additionally, a brief children's "pleasure race" of roughly 700 m is offered, where children can be accompanied by an adult and receive a medal upon completion. The event benefits ADEL CENTRE, an organization that assists children with leukemia or cancer. One euro from each adult registration fee is contributed to the group, and all proceeds from the children's race are also donated. Food will be available at the finish area, and Sébastien Barc, a decorated athlete and Olympic flame carrier, acts as the event's patron.

The Marathon de Cheverny begins at the Château de Cheverny in Loir-et-Cher, located in the Loire Valley. The main road races are structured around a marathon, half marathon, marathon duo, and a 10km event. This same event weekend also features the Trail des Châteaux de la Loire, offering 63km, 35km, and 14km trail runs, alongside children's races and a walking tour. Approximately 7,000 runners participate annually, creating a sense of a wide-ranging running festival rather than just a single-distance marathon. The routes traverse the Sologne forest and wine country, guiding participants past vineyards, wine cellars, and sections near the châteaux of Chambord, Cheverny, and Beauregard. Cheverny includes a detail related to Tintin: Hergé based the Château de Cheverny on the model for Marlinspike Hall, Captain Haddock's residence. The event emphasizes local food and wine, with aid stations offering regional specialties, Cheverny and Cour-Cheverny wines, local products, music along the course, and many participants in costume. Its inclusion in the Challenge de la convivialité reflects the atmosphere; the weekend is as much about dining, socializing, and enjoying the château surroundings as it is about competitive racing.

Cheverny now attracts so many runners that entries can sell out months ahead, and organizers are choosing a cap over chasing bigger numbers. The Marathon du Pays des Chateaux - Cheverny is an early-April race weekend in Loir-et-Cher, in France's Loire Valley, featuring a road marathon, half marathon, trail races, and a four-person marathon relay. Courir a Saint-Gervais organizes the event, and the field has grown from about 4,800 to around 7,000 participants in only a few editions. The organizers state this is about the limit: roughly 15,000 people passed through bib pickup and awards, and they prefer to protect the experience rather than push toward 10,000 runners. Prices range from approximately 48 to 68 euros, which contributes to the race's appeal for runners seeking something simpler and more affordable. The marathon is closely linked to the chateau country around Cheverny. The route is being adjusted to include more forest running, remove a short loop within Cheverny, and use a first loop in the castle park followed by another section alongside the castle. It also passes Troussay, one of the smallest castles in the Loire region. The organizers intend to allocate more space to the trails, marathon, and relay, while reducing the half marathon following a sharp increase in demand. A 42 km Maratrail is also planned, starting from Chaumont castle and connecting locations such as Madon, Cheverny, Beauregard, and Chambord. The field includes quick marathoners around the 2:40 mark to slower runners who may soon have pace groups near 4:45 and 5:00.