5K races near Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu

Each October, La Joséphine transforms La Roche-sur-Yon and much of Vendée pink as women walk or run to support breast cancer initiatives. This event is exclusively for women. Local routes are available in partner communes the week before the main 5 km walk or run in La Roche-sur-Yon. The event extends beyond France; Drummondville in Quebec, La Roche-sur-Yon’s twin city, hosts its own local version, continuing the pink T-shirt tradition. The La Roche-sur-Yon gathering is substantial and highly visible, with approximately 13,000 women filling the city streets. Across Vendée, more than 20,000 participants engage in events spanning 157 communes. Proceeds benefit the Vendée branch of the League against Cancer, surpassing one million euros over eleven editions. These funds support well-being workshops, socio-aesthetic care for patients, caregiver support, prevention efforts like self-examination teaching tools, and research. The cause holds both local significance and symbolic weight, as Vendée records around 600 new breast cancer cases annually, making it the department's second most common cancer.

La Virée des Puces is a road race held in Saint-Christophe-du-Ligneron, a town in the Vendée region situated between La Roche-sur-Yon and Challans. Participants can choose from three distances: a semi-marathon, a 10 km, and a 5 km. The 10 km and semi-marathon events hold regional status. The race takes place in autumn, organized by L’ALCSL Section Athlétisme, with Anne-Marie Charrier serving as race director. The 10 km race begins first and is the sole event in the series that accommodates handisport athletes and joëlette teams. The semi-marathon is scheduled for later in the morning. The 5 km offers a shorter route for those preferring the same town-road environment without the full semi-marathon length. Timing utilizes chip bibs, with bib collection available at the sports hall on the morning of the race. The total number of participants is limited to 1,800 across all three races.

The Marche nordique des Terres Noires is a Nordic walking event held at the Terres Noires sports site in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, western France. Typically held in early November, it focuses on nature walks rather than running. The event is organized by Athlétic Club La Roche-sur-Yon and Athlétic Club du Pays des Achards. Its main competitive event is a 14 km Marche Nordique Compétition Circuit, which holds national-label status. The event offers multiple participation options: a 14 km competition for serious Nordic walkers, a guided walk for those preferring a relaxed pace, and shorter discovery walks, including a free 5 km option. Recent event details also mention 12 km routes, such as the one-loop Virée nordique and the Chrono nordique, which consists of four 3 km loops and is noted as the most popular choice. Although a relatively new event, it caters to both experienced Nordic walkers aiming for rankings and beginners exploring the activity on marked local trails.

The Marche Nordique des Terres Noires is a Nordic walking event held at the Terres Noires sports complex on rue Roger Dauger in La Roche-sur-Yon, western France. The main event is a 14 km MNCC, a competitive Nordic walk. The program also features a 9 km guided walk for those preferring an outing over a competition. The 14 km competition consists of four full loops on the Terres Noires Yonnais site and holds a National Label. Athletic Club La Roche-sur-Yon organizes the event. A Nordic walking technique discovery session is available, with poles provided for those new to the sport who do not have their own equipment.

La Joséphine is a women-only 5 km run and sports walk held in La Roche-sur-Yon, Vendée, western France. It is associated with Pink October and generates funds for breast cancer research. Participants gather as runners, walkers, friends, colleagues, sisters, and local groups, prioritizing community over pure competition. The primary event takes place in La Roche-sur-Yon. Nearby Vendée towns also host their own 5 km events, such as Jard-sur-Mer and Rocheservière. In Rocheservière, the course begins and ends at the Town Hall square, allowing individuals or groups to run or walk during the event's duration. A continuing tradition is the “pink wave”: women post pictures from their run or walk on social media using the event hashtag, uniting individual efforts into a collective display for breast cancer awareness.

Des Marais et des Bosses begins at La Carrière in Saint-Herblain, near Nantes, sending participants on a 10.5 km loop through marshland and a quarry. This mid-November event is for teams, with pairs and fours working together in a progressive relay. Shorter courses for children and juniors are also offered, alongside listed distances of 1.5 km, 5 km, 21 km, and 42 km. The main relay features a unique format: the first runner begins solo, and teammates join sequentially at the start of each new loop, ensuring the entire team finishes together. For the four-person relay, runner one completes 42 km, runner two 31.5 km, runner three 21 km, and runner four 10.5 km. In the two-person version, the distances are 21 km and 10.5 km. Outdoor Club Herblinois organizes the race, which appeals to friends, families, colleagues, beginners, and more experienced runners seeking a shared experience over individual achievement.

Corrida des Achards is a small nature-running event in Les Achards, Vendée, offering 5 km and 10 km races. Both start together from the Antoine Rigaudeau hall on rue Jean Bouin. The main races are mixed; the 5 km is one loop, the 10 km is two loops, and children’s races are held later. The 10 km route follows paths and woods around La Mothe-Achard, alternating between trails, undergrowth, and flatter sections. A local feature includes a passage near the wet areas of Les Achards. Athlétic Club du Pays des Achards organizes the event, which also offers a shorter option for walkers and families.

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.

Corrida de la Beaujoire is a Christmas-season running event in Nantes, located in the Pays de la Loire region of western France. It is structured as a small race series, not a single start: children and beginners can opt for short, free runs, while more experienced runners can participate in the 9.6 km Corrida de la Beaujoire. The shortest option is the 1 km Parade déguisée, a low-cost fancy-dress run for those seeking a playful atmosphere alongside athletic activity. La Ronde de Noël is a free 1.2 km race for the youngest participants or anyone preferring a very short distance. La Grande ronde de Noël adds a free 2 km option, and the Challenge Jean Jahan offers a middle distance at 4.5 km.

The Foulées Vitaliennes offers a 23 km relay option, where two runners can each cover 11.5 km of the longest race. This event takes place in Saint-Viaud, Loire-Atlantique, within the Pays de la Loire region, with its next running set for mid-February. The program includes road races of 5 km, 11 km, and 23 km, suitable for both short-distance participants and those seeking a longer morning challenge. The routes follow natural paths near Saint-Viaud, with the proximity of the sea contributing to the scenery. The 23 km and relay races begin first, followed by the 11 km, and then the 5 km, establishing a straightforward staggered schedule for the day. Organized by Association Fabrice, the event's structure suggests a local race designed for club runners, pairs, and recreational runners preferring a moderate distance over a large urban event.

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.