The Semi-Marathon d'Orvault takes place in Orvault, a town in Loire-Atlantique near Nantes, during the early days of March as winter concludes. The primary event is the half marathon, complemented by a 10 km race that begins at the same morning time. This setup accommodates runners aiming for 21.1 km and those preferring a shorter, more accessible distance.
The course begins with an extended straight section through the town before venturing into the nearby countryside. Participants will encounter city streets, roads bordered by forests, and park paths, deviating from a purely urban circuit. The half marathon is described as a flat course conducive to achieving personal bests, despite featuring approximately 192 meters of elevation gain; the 10 km course includes about 112 meters. Annually, close to 2,000 runners participate in this event, which boasts a history spanning roughly forty years. Following the race, Parc du Bois Saint-Louis offers a tranquil setting to recover.