5K races near Saint-Avé

In Redon, the chestnut season begins with the Mini-Marronnaises, a race for CM1 and CM2 schoolchildren. The City of Redon organizes this event, which gathers about 650 students from public and private schools in Redon and neighboring communities such as Bains-sur-Oust, Sainte-Marie, Saint-Nicolas-de-Redon, Rieux, Allaire, and Saint-Jean-la-Poterie. The route is a 750-meter loop within Redon's historic center. CM1 students complete two laps, and CM2 students complete three, offering the older children a slightly longer course on the same streets. This race has a long local tradition, with over thirty editions held, and it is part of Redon's chestnut season events, alongside a race for adults.

The Foulées du bois de Kerozer is a race in Saint-Avé, Brittany, set within the Kerozer and Lesvellec woods. The main event is a 15 km trail race. It is accompanied by a 5 km race, a Nordic walk, five children’s races, and an Australian pursuit race, a format that results in a single classified finisher. The course was formerly contained entirely within the Bois de Kerozer, initially 13.2 km with one small loop and three large loops, then 12 km over three identical loops, each with an aid station. The present 15 km route spends approximately one-third of its distance in Kerozer. After 2.5 km, it enters the Bois de Lesvellec for an 11 km wooded section. This is connected by a 1 km out-and-back along ponds and a brief detour near the heathland by Rue Pierre Le Nouail. The final 1.5 km leads back to Kerozer, descending before a steep ascent to the finish at the belvedere.

Foulées réguinoises is a local race day in Réguiny, starting in the afternoon with a family atmosphere. Now in its 35th edition, the event features children’s races in the early afternoon before the main runs commence. The main change this year is the introduction of two nature circuits: a 7 km route and a 14 km route. Runners can choose between a short trail-style outing or a longer one. Each entry includes a charitable contribution, with 1 euro from each registration donated to Des Papillons Pour Louna, an organization supporting a young girl with a rare disease.

La Marche des Globules is a non-competitive community walk between Baden and Larmor-Baden in Morbihan. The start window is from 8:00 to 10:00 in the morning, with the finish open until 2:00. It is open to everyone, costs 4 euros for adults, and is free for children up to 12. The event is organized by the volunteer blood-donor association for Brech, Baden, Pluneret, and nearby towns. The entry fee promotes blood donation, not prize money or race timing. Participants choose from several marked distances: 5 km, 11 km, 14 km, and 17 km. Extra route options are sometimes added, including one linked to the Sept Iles when passage conditions allow. Registration is handled on site at local venues like the Baden sports hall or Larmor-Baden municipal canteen, depending on the edition. Walkers receive a drink and snack at the finish. Prizes are drawn by lottery, and walking poles are allowed only with plastic tips.

Corrida de Guérande is a road race held in the center of Guérande, starting on Rue Thobie. It is an event for local runners, focusing on gathering in the old town rather than a point-to-point route or a stadium. The Saint-Jean-Baptiste college courtyard and gymnasium serve as the runner reception area and race headquarters, creating a compact setup near the start. The races resumed after a two-year interruption, first due to a storm with winds exceeding 120 km/h and then by Covid-19. This restart brought significant relief to organizers and participants.

The Marathon de la Côte d'Amour is a 42.195 km road marathon on the Guérande Peninsula in Loire-Atlantique. Runners start from the seafront embankment in La Baule. This marathon is the main event of its weekend, attracting around 7,000 starters, giving it the feel of a large international event. Conditions can be favorable for fast times when the Atlantic weather is cooperative, with reports of sun, light wind, and cool temperatures between 10 and 16 degrees Celsius. The route is a loop with minimal elevation gain, designed for fast running. It begins and ends in La Baule, passing through Le Pouliguen, Batz-sur-Mer, and Le Croisic. The course then crosses the salt marshes before returning to La Baule. Organizers openly discuss fast winning times; event director Julien Gaborieau mentioned aiming for a winner around 2:05 or 2:06, indicating the course is a serious venue for competitive running, not just scenic coastal mileage.

10 Km du Bord de Mer is a road race held on a Saturday in late February in Damgan, a seaside town in Morbihan, Brittany. Participants can select either a 5.5 km or 10 km distance, making the event suitable for beginners and those seeking a more challenging run. The race also benefits a charitable cause, adding a purpose to the day beyond the finish time. The course runs alongside the sea, with Damgan’s coastal location offering runners fresh air, expansive views, and a distinct feeling of being on the Breton coast. The event emphasizes a welcoming local atmosphere and a route adaptable to various skill levels, rather than focusing solely on competitive club runners. It also provides an opportunity for visitors to explore Damgan, a former fishing village featuring beaches and characteristic streets near the race route.

Les 30 km d’Arradon is a running race series in Arradon, featuring a main 30 km race and two other events. It has been held for at least 36 editions, with one edition attracting nearly a thousand participants across the three races. The main race saw an unusual conclusion when Sébastien Le Cocq, who had a lead of over a minute entering the final kilometer, was misdirected by a course marshal. Christophe Olliero finished first and expressed surprise at not seeing Le Cocq ahead, while Le Cocq stated he did not hold the volunteer responsible and highlighted the significance of volunteers in race organization.

The 10 km du bord de mer - Damgan is a seaside road race in Damgan, offering both 5.5 km and 10 km distances. It functions as a solidarity race, not solely a timed event. Anim'sport Damgan and the extra-municipal sports commission organize it, drawing over 550 participants. The race begins in the afternoon, concluding in a lively finish area where awards and gifts are distributed to winners and participants. Gilbert Bouthémy, president of Anim'sport Damgan, assists with the prize ceremony, and volunteers manage crepe and drink stations. Proceeds benefit Faire face ensemble, a charity supporting cancer patients, their families, and cancer research.

The 30 km d'Arradon is an annual running event in Arradon, France, centered on a 30 km main race. The event has occurred at least thirty-six times and offers three race options, meaning the day is not restricted to the headline distance. The races attract close to a thousand participants, including runners from nearby Vannes and clubs like CIMA. The race's most notable story comes from the front of the field: Sébastien Le Cocq was leading the main 30 km by over a minute near the final kilometer when a course marshal directed him incorrectly. Christophe Olliero finished first, but he was surprised not to see Le Cocq ahead and ceded the victory. Le Cocq also declined to fault the volunteer, stating that race volunteers are too important to judge by a single error.

La Nordique de Lorient takes place at Stade du Pouillot on allée du Village de Kérulvé in Lorient, Brittany. It is a Nordic walking event on a circuit, with the main programme typically featuring an open walk and a timed MNCC race in early April. The open walk covers 7.5 km, while the MNCC is 12.5 km and serves as a qualifier for the French Championships. Licensed FFA runners and competition walkers are classified for the national Nordic walking tour ranking. The MNCC course consists of five 2.5 km loops around the Pouillot circuit, allowing spectators and support crews to see walkers multiple times. The event welcomes a wide range of participants, not exclusively specialists, and its open format includes newer Nordic walkers alongside competitive athletes. A 10:30 improvement workshop is available for those registered for the open walk, and an introductory workshop is open to all before the races. Lorient Athlétisme Club established the event for its Nordic walking group, and local media reported it as the first Nordic walking race in Lorient.