Half Marathon races near Guérande

Run in Montluc, a first-edition running weekend in Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc, Loire-Atlantique, offers one evening of trail races and a morning road half marathon near the marshes. The main trail, the Trail des Lucioles, begins after dark: runners navigate 24 km on GR3 paths with headlamps, featuring 330 m of elevation gain and a semi-autonomous setup. A shorter 12 km night trail follows, with 160 m of climbing, for those seeking a similar nighttime atmosphere over a reduced distance. The trail courses include singletrack, woodland paths, and undulating terrain around Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc. The Semi Marai'thon is a flatter 21 km road race bordering the Loire marshes, with approximately 100 to 120 m of climbing. This half marathon can be completed individually or as a two-person relay, divided into 10 km and 11 km segments. The schedule clearly separates Saturday evening for headlamp-lit, technical trails from Sunday morning's faster road race or shared relay near the marshes.

The Marathon Côte d'Amour Amarris begins on the seafront promenade in La Baule, overlooking the bay of Le Pouliguen. Runners embark on the full 42.195 kilometers along France’s Atlantic coast. The event is based in La Baule-Escoublac, Pays de la Loire, and takes place in November. This road marathon features an officially measured FFA course, a limit of 8,000 bibs, and a modest 97 meters of elevation gain, making it suitable for runners aiming for a personal best as well as those drawn by the coastline. The course travels from La Baule through Le Pouliguen, Guérande, Le Croisic, and Batz-sur-Mer before returning to La Baule. It combines seaside roads, salt air, the rugged Côte d'Amour, and historic towns on the Guérande peninsula. The event weekend also offers a relay, half marathon, 10k, and 5k, attracting marathoners, shorter-distance runners, teams, and many first-time participants. Pace setters will target times from 3 hours to 4 hours 30. Demand is high, so half-marathon places and marathon bibs sell out rapidly.

The Trail course nature de Barbâtre is a trail-running event held in Barbâtre, located in the Vendée department of France’s Pays de la Loire region. It takes place in early November and offers participants three main distance options: 7 km, 14 km, and 21 km, with the 21 km route being the most frequently chosen. The routes consist of loops on nature trails surrounding Barbâtre, with island terrain, open natural areas, and proximity to the sea. The event also features races for children and juniors, accommodating a range of participants beyond seasoned trail runners; shorter-distance runners, young athletes, and individuals seeking a manageable off-road challenge can all participate.

Trail Gwened’Avantur is a trail race in Vannes, organized by ASPTT Vannes. Its main event is a 24 km race on rolling, fast paths, a course where strong runners can push the pace from the start rather than solely navigate steep terrain. The race attracts local competitive runners and athletes seeking personal goals. Manon Lejeau achieved her first win here, and Fabien Jaffré of Treffléan secured another victory in the 24 km race. Jaffré, familiar with parts of the route from training, made three errors in the first seven kilometers but still finished over seven minutes ahead of runner-up Laurent Panhelleux. One edition of the 24 km started with a minute of silence for Christian Moisan, co-founder of Triskell Chrono, whose timing team had managed the event’s results for many years.

Foulées de L'Ile de Noirmoutier Vendée is a road race held in mid-March in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, a town on Noirmoutier island in Vendée, France, located on the Atlantic coast. Participants can choose between a 5 km, 10 km, or a half marathon (21.0975 km). The race route follows town streets and coastal paths, offering a traditional road race experience with sea air, distinct from trail or mountain events. The course begins in Noirmoutier-en-l'Île, utilizing the island's setting and coastal scenery as its primary attraction, with parts running through the town. Noirmoutier is connected to the mainland via the Passage du Gois, a well-known tidal causeway, adding a unique local feature before the race even starts. This event appeals primarily to road runners, local amateur athletes, and half-marathoners seeking a race that also provides an opportunity to explore the island.

The Semi-Marathon de Brière is a 21.1 km road race held at Espace du Marais in Saint-André-des-Eaux, Loire-Atlantique. It takes place in March through the Brière marshes, a classified natural park, and has a Bronze Road label, with a runner limit of 2,300. Alongside the main half marathon, there are 5 km and 10 km races, a duo option, Nordic walking, and children’s and junior courses, catering to various participants. The course follows roads and paths around Brière, offering marshland scenery instead of a city setting. Pacers are available for 1:30, 1:45, and 2:00 finish times. Aid stations are positioned at 5 km, 10 km, 14 km, 18 km, and the finish, providing water and solid food. Organized by ESCO Saint-André-des-Eaux, the event includes a technical race-logo shirt for participants, trophies for the top male and female finishers, and uses the slogan “Pas de la petite bière !”