10K races near Carquefou

Foulées Viikings is a running series in Indre, Loire-Atlantique, organized by Association VIIKINGS and centered on a Viking theme. It offers two nature-course races: MIDGARD, a 5 km event, and ASGARD, a 10 km race for more experienced participants, described in the event’s “warrior” terminology. Registration is handled online, and the races use electronic chip timing. The routes are characterized as varied, pleasant, and bucolic, suggesting a countryside setting rather than an urban one. The event fosters a sense of community and local engagement, with a portion of proceeds supporting a cause. For those not running, guided walks of 7 km or 10 km are available. A notable feature of these walks is a boat crossing on the Loire, referred to as the “drakkar,” before proceeding towards La Montagne and Bouguenais.

Les Foulées Hilairoises is a running event set in nature in Saint-Hilaire-de-Clisson, Loire-Atlantique, using the football stadium as its starting point. The APEL parents' association of the private Saint-Joseph school organizes it, with a program designed for local families and adult runners alike. Adult participants can select a 10 km race, open to those 16 and older, or a 20 km race for runners 18 and up, with the 20 km beginning earlier in the morning. Three children's races are also part of the event. The organization includes online registration and electronic chip timing, giving it the practical character of a well-organized community race.

Les Foulées Siffait is an October trail-running event held in Le Cellier, Loire-Atlantique, starting and finishing at the sports complex on rue de Langförden. La Grande Vadrouille organizes this event as part of Pink October, with each adult registration prompting a donation to breast cancer awareness and research. The event features three primary distances: a race under 10 km, a race of approximately 15 km, and a 30 km format. The route incorporates viewpoints along the Loire River, passes by historic monuments, includes single-track trail sections, and features climbs, positioning it as a local trail day rather than a flat road race. The 30 km course is divided into three distinct loops, with time cutoffs and final rankings determined solely on the last loop. Bib numbers are capped, and two children's races are available for ages 7 to 12, with all proceeds from children's entries donated to the League Against Cancer.

The Musca'day Trail is a Sunday-morning race held in the Nantes vineyard, organized by Sud Loire Raid Aventure. Participants can select from at least two distances, 10 km and 23 km, catering to those seeking a shorter off-road challenge and those desiring a longer run through wine country. The race embraces its Muscadet setting post-finish: recovery includes soup, local Muscadet wine, oysters, and a visit from osteopathy students from IdHEO offering care. Now in its tenth edition, the organizers maintain a community atmosphere by publishing race photos in batches and sharing results via Espace Compétition.

DIVA'TRAIL Nocturne à La Varenne is an evening trail run held at the Salle des Hautes Cartelles in La Varenne, Maine-et-Loire. Organized by the Comité des Fêtes de La Varenne as a Trail Off, it operates outside federation rules, meaning no official ranking by speed or time. Participants in the 10 km, 15 km, and 20 km routes start together at 18:00; a headlamp is required for all. The 10 km route is open to those aged 16 and up, featuring approximately 160 m of elevation gain. The courses begin in front of the Salle des Hautes Cartelles and conclude inside the sports hall, offering a village-hall atmosphere for the night race instead of a large stadium finish. The routes are fully marked, primarily on paths with some paved sections, but lack kilometer markers, requiring runners to pace themselves without regular distance cues. Shorter races for children are held around the hall: 500 m for ages 6 to 8 and 1000 m for ages 9 to 11. Aid stations do not provide disposable cups, so participants must bring their own flask, folding cup, or bottle. Finishers of the three main races receive a hot meal served indoors.

Les foulées du Beluga is a 9.9 km evening road race in Montoir-de-Bretagne, starting at 6 PM from the Airbus Atlantic site. It is a new local event focused on a straightforward point-to-point run, not a long-distance challenge. Runners finish at the Bonne-Fontaine sports complex, where Montoir en folie also sets up a Christmas market. The race is organized through a partnership between the merchants' association Montoir en folie and Team 3D, a local club involved in duathlon, triathlon, and running.

Kilomètres Solidaires is a Téléthon charity running and walking weekend in Grandchamp-des-Fontaines, near Nantes, held in early December. Children race on Saturday, with 700 m, 1.5 km, and 3 km options for ages 7 to 15, while adults come on Sunday for a 6 km or 10 km run or walk. The point is not chasing times: the Kilomètre zéro association frames it as a good time without a competitive spirit or performance focus. The children’s races start by the Notre-Dame-des-Fontaines lake, and the adult distances are set up so both runners and walkers can join. Each entry supports Téléthon fundraising and research on genetic diseases. The event leans hard into its community side, with costumes encouraged, three orchestras planned along the routes, and about fifty volunteers needed to guide the weekend.

The Corrida de Saint Philibert de Grand Lieu, known as the Phil'Run, is a Christmas-season road race held in Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, Loire-Atlantique. Organized by AR Sud Lac before the year-end holidays, it features short urban races instead of a long-distance event. The main Père Noël race covers 10.4 km, the Course des Lutins is 5.2 km, and two free children's races offer a 1 km option for the youngest participants and a 2.5 km course for ages 12 to 13. The route remains within the town, beginning and ending on Boulevard de la Moricière, across from the Jean-Rostand school, and then proceeds through local streets. The event originated from the club's aim to establish a road race that could attract a larger audience than their previous September race. The Christmas timing aligns with the French corrida tradition: city races with a festive atmosphere and numerous costumes. The term "corrida" has Portuguese origins, where it simply denotes a race. AR Sud Lac benefits from substantial local support, with almost 500 licensed club members and approximately 120 volunteers assisting with the event.

Les Foulées du Mingot is a late-January race day in Cugand, Vendée, France, featuring forest and nature courses instead of a city-road feel. Runners can select from 10 km, 17 km, 27 km, or 37 km, and walkers have Nordic walking options over 10 km and 17 km. The longest race is La Spéciale, and the 17 km is the most popular distance. Each listed distance uses a single-loop course, with the event structured around one circuit per race rather than repeated laps. The fields are solid for a local trail event: the previous edition had over 400 participants on the 17 km, over 300 on the 10 km, and over 300 on the 37 km. The combination of trail running, Nordic walking, and shorter nature-course options suits both committed trail runners and those seeking a winter outing in the woods.

The Buxia Trail starts in La Boissière-de-Montaigu in the Vendée, with the race headquarters located on Rue du Stade near the sports complex. This event spans a late-winter weekend, featuring trail running rather than a single race. It begins with a 12 km semi-urban night trail on Saturday, followed by longer nature trails on Sunday. Sunday's individual races are conducted in one stage and semi-autonomy, with distances approximately 27 km, 16 km, and 10 km. Some sources also list the daytime options as 23 km, 15 km, and 9 km. The event caters to a broad spectrum of runners, from those attempting a short local trail to individuals seeking a longer self-supported run. It also includes three children's races for school-age groups up to minimes. The OGEC of Notre Dame school has organized the trail for over 30 years, contributing to its atmosphere as a long-standing village sports weekend, distinct from a typical commercial race.