Half Marathon races near La Chapelle-Saint-Mesmin

Les Foulées des Bords de Loire is a June running and Nordic walking event held at the La Minais sports hall in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, east of Nantes. Organized by the Racing Club Nantais, via its Sainte-Luce/Loire section, it is an open club event for licensed FFA runners and those without a license. The main adult program features a 5.5 km race, a 12 km race, and an 11 km Nordic walk, with the 12 km race counting towards the Loire-Atlantique departmental challenge. The courses are flat and primarily natural, following a mix of roads and paths toward the Loire riverbanks. The day also includes races for younger athletes: a 1 km race for boys and girls in the youngest categories, and a mixed 3 km race for older children. Now in its thirtieth edition, the event is a long-standing fixture in the local calendar. Some event listings may refer to Les Foulées du Bord de Loire for a Jargeau event in the Loiret, which offers flat races from children's distances up to a half marathon, but the Sainte-Luce event is the one associated with Racing Club Nantais and the Loire-Atlantique challenge.

Courses de l'Indien is a series of flat road races held in Orléans, within the Loiret department of France, offering 5 km, 10 km, and half-marathon distances. The event takes place in the La Source district, with its start and finish at Place Albert Camus, and is a fixture on the local autumn racing schedule. The 10 km and half-marathon courses are officially measured by the French athletics federation, qualifying runners for the French championships under a bronze FFA label. The 5 km is timed but is a popular race rather than a labelled or officially measured course. The courses are on asphalt and designed for speed, featuring flat, rolling layouts suitable for runners aiming for a personal best. Sections of the route traverse the green spaces of Orléans la Source, incorporating public parkland and areas with lakes and ponds. ASPTT Orléans organizes the series, which began in 1975, making it the oldest road race in the Centre-Val de Loire region. This long history lends it a local club-racing atmosphere, while the programme also caters to competitive runners via the measured 10 km and half-marathon.

The Trail Cloysien des 3 Rivieres begins at the Château de Montigny-le-Gannelon in Cloyes-sur-le-Loir, located in France’s Centre-Val de Loire region's Eure-et-Loir department. This yearly March trail race offers three primary distances: 10 km, 16 km, and 21 km. The event is designed for participants preferring trails over road races, featuring hills, forest paths, and chateaux along the course. The 10 km race is run in full autonomy, requiring runners to manage their own provisions without aid stations. The race attracts a robust local field, with registrations often filling rapidly and nearly a thousand participants in a recent running. The 10 km event alone can host several hundred starters, featuring a balanced representation of men and women, with average finish times slightly exceeding one hour. A dedicated course is provided for juniors, ensuring the event caters to younger participants as well as adults pursuing longer distances. A substantial volunteer photography team contributes to the event's character, documenting runners from various perspectives and in diverse weather conditions, subsequently publishing galleries from multiple named photographers.

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.

L'Ard Trail is a trail-running event in Ardon, Loiret, France, offering races from 1.5 km to 50 km. It takes place on a March weekend, starting from the communal meadow on rue de la Chancellerie. The variety of distances accommodates both beginners and experienced trail runners. The routes lead participants into the Sologne countryside, featuring nature trails described by organizers as challenging and offering wide views. The 50 km race is the longest trail distance available in Loiret, with shorter options suitable for families and less experienced runners. The event has expanded since 2015 and maintains a local character through supportive race-day assistance and quality aid stations managed by the Comité des fêtes d'Ardon.

Les Foulées d'Orléans is an annual road race held in the heart of Orléans, incorporating the Loire riverfront and the old city into its route. The event offers runners multiple options: a half marathon, a 10 km, a 5 km, Les Foulées de Jeanne (an untimed 5 km), and children's races of 1 or 2 km. It is designed to accommodate a broad range of participants, from elite athletes to novices and those seeking a local running event rather than a competitive race. The course winds through the Quais de Loire, past half-timbered houses, and into historic narrow streets, serving as a swift tour of central Orléans. The prior edition attracted over 5,000 participants, contributing to the atmosphere of a bustling city event without exclusively catering to specialists. The organizer also supports charitable causes, with all race profits directed to three associations. Aid stations are provided on the 10 km and half marathon courses, with assistance available for all finishers.