Race certified by Finishers: event approved by the organizer

Half Marathon of Pays de Saint Gilles 2025

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Semi du Pays de Saint Gilles

The event in a few words

It is in the region of Pays de la Loire, in the department of Vendée, more precisely in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez where your next sporting challenge will take place📍. The club of Pays de Saint-Gilles Vendée Athlétisme invites you in the month of August for 2 events, in a magnificent natural setting 🍃. The temperatures 🌡️, ranging between 16 and 23°C, will offer you an ideal climate to enjoy running 😎.

Its climate, way of life, its sandy coasts with a lesser proportion of rocky coasts... Surely, the Côte Lumière will satisfy you 🏖️. But we're not here for camping ⛺️, although Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez is ranked 2nd in towns with the most campgrounds 🥈. “So we're not waiting for Patrick?” No, we're not waiting, because the camping des Flots Bleus is still over 400 km away 😅. So take off your flip-flops 🩴 and put on your sneakers 👟, it’s time to clear your head. And you can do it over 2 different distances. Regardless of the one you choose, you'll start your race on Avenue de la Forêt 🕺. The first event is a 10 km with 1 and a half loops to complete, and for the other event, you will need to complete 2 and a half loops to cover the half-marathon 🤓. No envy, everyone has their loop on this course certified by the Fédération Française d’Athlétisme 🇫🇷. We can also tell you that this loop is flat and fast. It’s composed of 40% road 🛣️, 60% cycle paths 🚲 and forest trails 🌲. This circuit is perfect if you want to perform! Moreover, the half is, this year, a qualifying race for the French Championships! 🏆 So give it your all and try to play the clock 😎. If you cross the finish line 🏁 first, you can raise your arms as if you scored a goal at the Stade de la Forêt! 🏟️

If you wish to extend your weekend, Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez could still hold some nice surprises 🎁 for you. As a recovery, take a walk along the wild coast 🐆 of the Corniche Vendéenne, preferably at high tide if you wish to enjoy hearing the crashing of waves on the cliffs 🌊. For history buffs, you can discover the Bourrines du bois Juquaud. This authentic set of earth constructions covered with reeds reflects life in the marsh at the beginning of the 20th century. History often houses myths, legends... Remains of a bridge to Île d'Yeu? 5 petrified monks, imprisoned to guard the "Trou du Diable"? 😈 The mystery of the 5 Pineaux rocks remains unsolved 🪨. From a culinary 🍽️ perspective, made with bread dough 🥖, garlic 🧄, and butter 🧈, the Préfou is a dish you can serve as an appetizer. The brioche and Vendée brioche, on the other hand, are two soft cakes once associated with religious celebrations ✝️. Respectively hand-braided and oval-shaped with fresh cream, it's up to you to choose which one tempts you the most 🔪. Lastly, in Vendée, know that on candlemas, the usual crêpes 🥞 give way to tourtisseaux or Vendée doughnuts. 😋

Be careful not to count your Semi du Pays de Saint-Gilles chickens before they hatch! 😉

4 reasons to join this race

Events for everyone 🙌
Beginner, amateur, or professional, no matter your level of practice, you will find a race that suits your pace. The 10 and 21.1 km races will meet your desires and also your training level 🤓.
Beautiful landscapes 🏞️
The characteristic of this coastline? Large sandy beaches with beautiful dunes, dense and low vegetation hosting beautiful nature reserves. You will encounter varied and truly unique landscapes 😌.
Try your luck for the Championships 💪
The prestige of the half marathon catches your eye, and you are right to be interested, as this year it qualifies for the French Championships! Now you have every reason to give it your all and aim to beat your personal record 😉.
Ideal weather ☀️
The weather will be warm and sunny in August in the region. So don't forget to fill up your flasks/bottles with water and bring your sunscreen if you don't want to look like a lobster when leaving 🦐.

A distance for every taste

Half Marathon

Road RunningThe most popular
  • Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 8:30 AM
  • 1 loopx21.0975 km

A few more words

We know you'd like to know what you're getting into... 🤨 But this year the course will not be revealed! You'll discover it by running it. Not bad as a surprise 🎁.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can pick up your race bib on Saturday, August 2, 2025, from 3 PM to 6 PM and on Sunday, August 3, starting at 7:30 AM at the Stade de la Forêt (Chemin du stade de la Forêt, 85270 Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez).

A valid ID with your license or a valid medical certificate, if not provided during online registration, will be mandatory to obtain your race bib.

Picking up the race bib by a third party is not allowed.

All races start from Avenue de la Forêt in Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez on Sunday, August 3, 2025:

  • at 11 AM for the 10 km

  • at 8:30 AM for the Half Marathon

You must provide your FFA license valid on the date of the event. You can also provide a Health Prevention Pathway certificate set up by the FFA, valid for competitors over 18 years old.

For the 10 km:

  • From 02/01/25 to 05/31/25: licensed €12 / non-licensed €15

  • From 06/01/25 to 07/31/25: licensed €16 / non-licensed €19

For the half marathon:

  • From 02/01/25 to 05/31/25: licensed €19 / non-licensed €23

  • From 06/01/25 to 07/31/25: licensed €22 / non-licensed €26

There will be no onsite registration.

  • A time barrier is set on the Half Marathon course: 2h45 at the finish

  • A time barrier is set for the 10 km: 1h45 at the finish

Showers and changing rooms will be available at the Stade de la Forêt. A cloakroom system will also be set up at the stadium, so you can leave your belongings under supervision.

  • For the 10 km: born before December 31, 2009

  • For the Half Marathon: born before December 31, 2007

Yes, refreshment stations are planned on all routes, and a general refreshment will be set up at the finish.

When purchasing your race bib, you will be entitled to:

  • The race bib and participation in the event

  • Official timing by electronic chip

  • Finish refreshments - Safety and emergency services

  • A gift at the finish

  • Participation in the raffle

Pins are not provided by the organization. Make sure to get some as bib belts are prohibited.

A food truck will be present at the stadium for you to eat after the events.

You can access the list of participants by clicking here.

You can check the race rules here

Focus

Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles
Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles
Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles
Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles
Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles
Semi du pays de Saint-Gilles

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