Les Courses de la Paix - Pau takes place on a December night in Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. The event begins at Place de Verdun around 8 p.m. Also known as the course des pères Noël, the program features 9.6 km flat courses: a solo run, a relay, and a walk.
The event, now in its 40th edition, attracts a large local participation, with over 4,000 runners and walkers across all categories, including joëlettes. The atmosphere is lively and fun, as runners in Santa outfits combine camaraderie, team spirit, and competitive racing. Demand often exceeds available spots, with over a thousand people on the waiting list.