Races in Brittany

Nothing beats a stay in the West! 👋 With its strong cultural identity, Brittany is an administrative region that includes the departments of Côtes d'Armor (22), Finistère (29), Ille-et-Vilaine (35) and the Morbihan (56). This former Gallic Armorica covers more than 27,200 km² and has about 3.4 million inhabitants. With its over 2,000 km of coastline, Brittany boasts nearly a third of France's metropolitan coasts. An ideal playground for all running enthusiasts! A land of contrasts for breathtaking runs. That's putting it mildly, because there's no lack of wind there! 🌬️ It's bracing, as they say! 😁

Brittany is the ocean, the sea spray... and a sky that loves to surprise. The region enjoys a mild oceanic climate, but don't expect fixed weather: here, it changes faster than your weather app can display it! Between two tides, you can go from drizzle to a clear blue sky and vice versa ☀️. So yes, you have to be ready to run in the rain 🌧️. But as the Bretons proudly say, "If it's raining, wait five minutes!" As for access, the prefectures of Saint-Brieuc, Quimper, Rennes and Vannes are the gateways to this territory.

And what about the mythical places? 🤩 With its millions of visitors each year, Brittany isn't just beautiful: it overflows with breathtaking natural treasures — literally! Between land and sea, it harbors gems like the Regional Natural Park of Gulf of Morbihan, the one of Armorica, or the Iroise Marine Natural Park. And that's just a small part!

Wait, let us stop you right there, you've never been to Brittany? 🫣 If you thought of visiting one day, forget it... and book your week off! Two days are fine. A week is better. Yet still, you won't have time to see everything! From north to south, this region is full of diverse landscapes, between the cliffs of the Côtes d'Armor and the large sandy beaches of the Morbihan, the difference is magical ✨. That's the magic of Brittany. Picnic in front of a sunset, morning surfing, the market at Erquy on Saturday morning to taste the famous galette-saucisse (which you'll also find in Rennes during a football match at the mythical Roazhon Park), it's all here ⚽️.

Looking for unique hikes, far from mountain trails? ⛰️ Head to the Gulf of Morbihan with its many islands: Île d’Arz, Île-aux-Moines, Belle-Île, Île de Groix or even the Crozon peninsula … An archipelago of wonders to explore on foot! You won't lack for walks, each island tour is different, to be chosen according to your level or your desire for distance 😁. And on the north? Discover the islands of Bréhat, Batz or Ouessant. Between insular walks and wild panoramas, you'll experience a unique stay at the edge of the world. Each island is a universe of its own, where life flows peacefully, without cars (or almost!). The forest of Brocéliande, the Pointe du Raz or the Côte de Granit Rose await you too! 🌳 Between endless coastal paths, the challenges of the Armorican Massif, and beaches to work out your calves, there's plenty to do 🏖️.

Brittany is not only a land of cyclists (although it's well-known for that!), it's also a dream playground for running enthusiasts 🏃‍♀️. Neither too hard nor too easy. It's often said that Bretons are good climbers... and for good reason! We think of Warren Barguil on the roads of the Tour de France 🇫🇷, or of Julie Bresset, Olympic champion in mountain biking cross-country in 2012 in London 🇬🇧. Whether you're into trail running, contemplative jogging, or hardcore racing, Brittany has what you need: endless coastal paths, Armorican Massif to work on your elevation gains 🥵, and sandy beaches to forge rock-solid calves. In short, here, we run, we dream...

A packed schedule of festivals and races. The region is also full of famous events and attractions. Hundreds of thousands of music lovers travel to Brittany each year 🎉. A true land of festivals, we can notably mention the Vieilles Charrues, the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, the Bout du Monde in Crozon or the Fête du Bruit in Landerneau.

Your taste buds won't be left out either 🤤: galettes and crêpes with salted butter, caramel, seafood, kouign-amann and Breton cider. Plenty of fuel before hitting the kilometers, you can trust us. You don't believe us? Lace up your shoes and come test yourself in one of the many races organized in Brittany. And no excuses, there's something for everyone 😉.

The calendar of trails in Brittany is well-filled with examples like the 20 km of the Blue Ribbon, Between Dunes and Bouchots or the Glazig trail which will immerse you in extraordinary maritime landscapes 🌊. More inland, the Apirun Tour awaits to dazzle you while your thighs do the work! And the list goes on: Menestrail, Intrail-Muros, Trail de Guerlédan... 😁. Want to test your limits? The Ultratrails of the region, like the Grand Raid Du Finistère and the Ultra Marin Raid Gulf of Morbihan will give you a run for your money! If you love urban trails, don't forget to sign up for the one in Rennes or the one in Vannes, true references!

Are you a fan of road racing? Don't worry, you'll find what you're looking for in the list of Half-Marathons in Brittany. We can mention some must-attend events like Tout Rennes Court, the Tour of Île de Batz, the Auray-Vannes Half or the one from Cancale Saint-Malo. Finally, the various Marathons in Brittany will meet the expectations of the most daring, you can take part in the famous Marathon of Vannes or go for the Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business 🌳.

To top it off, it's at the far west that the sun sets the latest in France 🌅. To extend all these great sporting moments... and as they say in Brittany: Kenavo! 🖤