Half Marathon races near Pont-à-Mousson

Trail de Bois le Duc is a trail-running event held on the heights above Nancy, near the Hôpital de Brabois in Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy. Taking place in October, it offers adults routes of 8, 14, 21, and 28 km, alongside children’s races. The shorter routes still involve significant climbing: the 8 km course features approximately 170 m of ascent, the 14 km has about 340 m, and the 21 km includes around 500 m. This is hilly trail running, not a flat town race. The courses traverse varied terrain and landscapes in the Brabois area, with GPX files available for those wishing to preview the routes. The participant field is limited to prevent trail congestion. Practical information regarding parking and bib collection is communicated to runners via email in the race booklet. The event maintains a deliberately local and friendly atmosphere: volunteers arrange surprises, participants receive a registration gift, Strava segments are incorporated into the experience, and the finish area features a popcorn machine, a country-style buffet, and Moroccan soup.

Trail de Bois le Duc is a mid-October trail race in Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy, near Nancy in eastern France. It offers short and middle-distance off-road options, with adult races at 8 km, 14 km, 21 km, and sometimes 28 km, plus junior races of 3 km, 900 m, and 450 m. The climbs are present but not excessive: the adult routes range from about 170-200 m of gain on the 8 km to several hundred metres on the longer races, with one source listing the 21 km at 600 m D+. It is a local, practical trail day, not a large city event, and entries are capped to prevent trail congestion. The race area is situated near the Hopital de Brabois and public transport, simplifying access compared to many forest trail events. The schedule begins with the longer races in the morning, proceeding through shorter adult and youth events, with the smallest children's runs around midday. The organiser includes local touches: volunteers prepare surprises, runners receive a registration gift, and post-race food may feature a country buffet, Moroccan soup, and a popcorn machine. Strava segments are integrated into the event, allowing regular trail runners to target specific efforts alongside the finish line.

The Rally trail - Villers-lès-Nancy is a 21 km trail race in Villers-lès-Nancy, scheduled for March. Its first edition took place on the Brabois plateau, with the listed bib price at 16 EUR. The course suggests a compact local trail event centered on the plateau, distinct from a city road race. The first edition featured a notably accomplished winner: Matthieu Péché, a former Olympic canoeing medalist.

SMIVO, the Semi-Marathon intercommunal de la Vallée de l'Orne, is a 21 km trail race in Moselle, Grand Est, France, running between Metz and Longwy. Held around March, it covers the half-marathon distance, but its terrain and setting define it as a valley trail rather than a flat road race. The course connects towns in the Orne Valley, blending natural paths with urban segments. Recent starts have been in locations like Rombas and Clouange. As an established event in the local running calendar, its intercommunal nature is key to its identity: it focuses on crossing multiple communities instead of looping a single city center.

The Semi-Marathon de la Métropole du Grand Nancy is a 21.1 km road race in and around Nancy, northeastern France. It begins at Place Stanislas, the city’s UNESCO-listed central square, leading participants from the historic core toward the metropolitan area’s greener outskirts. The event attracts a large local field, with over 5,000 participants in a strong edition. The course winds between Nancy’s old center and the surrounding countryside, following the green banks of the Meurthe river for a section. It includes about 180 meters of total elevation gain, with a gradual incline around kilometer 12 that can prove challenging. Aid stations might offer local specialties, adding a Lorraine touch beyond standard hydration and energy supplements.