Trails in Eure-et-Loir

La Beauce for the mind, the Perche for the legs

Don't be fooled by appearances, running in the 28 is not a simple walk in the park. While the Beauce offers you endless straight lines where the wind will be your toughest opponent, it's to the west and the Regional Natural Park of Perche that you should turn for some relief 📈. That's where you'll find the necessary positive elevation to heat up your thighs in dense and wet forests. The trails are technical, sometimes muddy, perfect for an authentic nature race where you'll encounter more deer than cars 🦌. It's a perfect mix of mental endurance on the plateaus and explosive sprints in the undergrowth.

Cathedral, Jean Moulin, and Mentchikoffs

Your run will often be guided by the spire of the Chartres Cathedral, visible for miles around and a UNESCO world masterpiece. While crossing towns, you'll feel the history of France, from the lands of Kings towards Maintenon to the legacy of Jean Moulin, former prefect of the department. After checking the trail calendar and logging your miles, it's time for a local reward because sports make you hungry 😋. Indulge yourself with a Chartres Pâté (ideally in crust) or, for something sweet 🍬, the famous Mentchikoffs, praline candies coated with Swiss meringue. They're light, they melt, and are exactly what you need for recovery 🍬.

The must-attend events in Eure-et-Loir to add to your record

The department offers a variety of events that attract runners from all over the region. The Trail in Chartres en lumière is the local star, allowing you to discover both lower and upper towns (and its famous stairs) at night in a magical atmosphere ✨. For nature lovers, the Trail de Ménilles Vallée d'Eure offers a bucolic and rolling course along the river, ideal for setting a new record. If you're looking for a unique setting, the Atipik Trail will have you running at the foot of the unfinished Vauban aqueduct, a unique scenery in France. Finally, for those who want to experience hills, the races around Nogent-le-Rotrou in the Perche often offer wilder and more demanding routes 🌲.

Eure-et-Loir awaits to prove that you can run through wheat fields and end up with sore muscles. Look at the list below, select the event that suits you, and make sure to book a bib on Finishers to guarantee your start 🏁.