Marathon races near Balma

Trail du Cassoulet is a trail-running weekend in Verfeil, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, incorporating the food culture of southwest France into the race. The main running distances are 12 km, 19 km, and 28 km. The program also includes a 12 km Nordic walk, a 12 km hike, 5 km canicross, 5 km cani-rando, children’s races, and a parent-child relay. It is a nature-trail event, with routes using trails, roads, and countryside paths around the Lauragais area. The race emphasizes its name more than many food-themed events. On the 12 km, 19 km, and 28 km courses, runners receive music, Toulouse sausage, and Fronton wine at a refreshment stop in the Orangerie of the Château de Bonrepos Riquet. The finish line offers draft beer, costumed finishers get a bottle of wine, and the weekend concludes with a cassoulet meal and bandas. There is also a Saturday evening pasta party, an exhibitor village, and free Sunday childcare for children aged 3 to 10, making the event suitable for families as well as runners.

The Harmonie Mutuelle Toulouse Métropole Run Expérience is a one-day running festival in Toulouse, Occitanie, France, held in November. It offers runners a full marathon, marathon relay, half marathon, 10K, and children’s races. The event focuses on the Ville Rose rather than a single-distance race, with over 30,000 participants anticipated across all events. The races begin in Toulouse and are presented as a unique way to view the city, with the main distances crossing its center. The relay allows teams to compete in the marathon distance, while the 10K, half marathon, and kids’ races welcome participants who are not experienced marathoners. Over 800 volunteers support the event, and Harmonie Mutuelle is the title partner for this series, now in its third edition.

The Toulouse Métropole Run Experience is a November running event in Toulouse, with races set within the city rather than on its outskirts. The main races range from the 10 K du Capitole to the Le Semi sur la Garonne and the Marathon des Géants. An Ekiden relay covers the marathon distance, and a children’s race under 5 km is also offered. A recent edition attracted 28,716 participants, indicating a large-scale event catering to marathoners, relay teams, 10 km runners, families, and those opting for a shorter, manageable distance. The Marathon des Géants spans 42.195 km with 159 m of elevation gain. The half marathon features 99 m, and the 10 km has 38 m. These routes are not flat time-trial courses but appear suitable for a broad range of runners. The course follows the Garonne River, passing Toulouse landmarks such as the Oncopole, Piste des Géants, Cité de l’Espace, Pont Neuf, and the Capitole. Aid stations offer food and water, and the event utilizes reusable cups; participants may also use their own flask or cup for refills. PLAYGROUND organizes the event, with Campus as a partner.

The Trail du Pastel begins at the Balma sports complex, east of Toulouse in Haute-Garonne, sending runners onto Lauragais paths each November. Organized by CAB Athlétisme since 2010, the event offers short children's races of 1 km or 2 km, an 11 km Nordic walk, the 11 km Lou Pastelou, the 16 km Isatis, the 22 km Cocagne for individuals or pairs, and the 42 km Marathon du Pastel. Some races are held during the day and others at night, allowing the same event to serve as a family outing, a club trail, or a longer endurance test. The routes utilize natural ground, paths, and trails near Balma, avoiding an all-road course. Runners follow waterways, including the Hers river and the Noncesse stream, before encountering initial ascents. The course becomes more technical in Bois Rond, passes the lakes of Mons and Flourens, and features the false flat on the Cayrol "chemin de fada." The return leg toward Balma requires strong downhill running after Bois de Linasse. The event's name references pastel, the historical luxury dye crop that influenced the Toulouse and Lauragais regions. At the finish, participants receive a hot drink, with coffee specifically for night runners.

The Semi-Marathon de Blagnac is a road race held in Blagnac, a town near Toulouse in Haute-Garonne, Occitanie. It takes place in early March and includes a 10 km race and a half marathon, alongside children’s and junior races. The location provides the event with a distinct local character: Blagnac is associated with Toulouse airport and Airbus, and the races begin in the Aéroscopia area, near the town’s aviation landmarks. The 10 km follows a single loop within Blagnac, while the half marathon is designed as a fast course for runners aiming for personal bests. The event has a long history for a regional road race, with many editions completed. It attracts runners from Occitanie and further afield. It holds a regional designation and allows participants to qualify for the French 10 km and half marathon championships. Registration also supports a charitable cause through Tous Avec Noé, an organization assisting children with disabilities or illnesses and their families.

The 21 km de Blagnac is a flat half marathon held in Blagnac, adjacent to Toulouse. The event also features a 10 km race and children's races. It typically takes place in March, though the specific date may be confirmed later. The 10 km race is open to runners and Nordic walkers, and the children's race covers 1,075 metres. The half marathon consists of two laps of the 10 km course, with an additional 1.1 km loop to complete the 21.1 km distance. The course offers a distinct Blagnac character, passing the Aeroscopia aviation museum and running alongside aircraft like the Concorde, Caravelle, and A380. It also crosses Georges Brassens square and the Odyssud and Grand Noble parks. Aid stations and medical support are provided along the route and at the finish. Pacers are available for the half marathon. This long-standing, well-attended event draws thousands of participants to the roads of Blagnac.

Ekiden de Toulouse is a six-runner relay marathon held in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne, Occitanie. Scheduled for early April, it follows the Ekiden format: a team collectively runs the 42.195 km marathon distance, divided into legs of 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, and 7.195 km. This city road race emphasizes pacing, handovers, and team order over a standard solo marathon. The Toulouse race takes place near Piste Géants Montaudran and the Halle de La Machine, a location connected to the city’s culture, history, and large-scale mechanical works. The Ekiden concept originated in Japan in 1917, featuring the traditional handover of a fabric sash, the tasuki. The Toulouse edition, organized by Triathlon Toulouse and CA Balma with Chrono-Start managing timing, was established as a new event.