Les Défis de Sainte Barbe 2026

Les Défis de Sainte Barbe is an outdoor race series in Hénin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais, northern France. Held in December, it is a cold-weather event, not a summer fitness festival, with temperatures typically between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius. Participants can choose from running, cycling, or walking options. The routes traverse the local landscape of water, countryside, and villages surrounding Hénin-Beaumont. Practical advice emphasizes the need for a neck warmer, hat, and gloves, as comfort is key when moving through northern France in winter. The atmosphere is described as friendly, suggesting the series is designed for local participants and mixed abilities, as well as for those competing for a time.