La vannetaise - Vannes 2026

Each October, the port of Vannes is filled with a pink crowd for La Vannetaise, a 6 km road race exclusively for women in Morbihan, Brittany. This event supports Octobre Rose, France’s Pink October initiative, and funds research and work against female cancers. Over 10,000 participants typically attend, creating a sense of a large community gathering rather than a small charity event. The program also features walks, a Nordic walk, a virtual participation option, and the Pitchounettes race for girls aged 8 to 15, which offers free on-site registration. The primary course circles the Port of Vannes along a flat, seaside path suitable for both novice and experienced runners. It winds past the rampart gardens and the Château de l’Hermine, incorporating the city’s historic stone architecture, waterfront, and harbor into the run. Since 2007, La Vannetaise has generated over €1.3 million. One recent edition raised €145,500 from 10,353 participants. Funds have aided organizations and medical projects such as Faire Face Ensemble, Vannes hospital and clinic services, and CEMonBus, a mobile initiative designed to reach women underserved by the healthcare system, particularly in low-income areas and community centers.