Races in Ille-et-Vilaine

Yes, Ille-et-Vilaine offers you an incredible journey between land and sea! Start with the Emerald Coast, its turquoise waters, white sandy coves, and ports 🚢. Here you can immerse yourself in the life of a corsair at Saint-Malo, a fortified city. Imagine strolling along its ramparts, feeling the wind of history blowing on your face. Moreover, every four years, there's the Route du Rhum! ⛵️ This race transforms the city into the capital of sailing. Legendary skippers like Florence Arthaud, the first female winner, or Mike Birch, have made history here 📝.

A bit further, Dinard invites you for a walk, where the villas will make you feel like you're in a film. And of course, there's Cancale, the oyster paradise, a place where you can taste this seafood directly from the producer. Once you've met an oyster's gaze, it's impossible to leave it! 😏

Away from the coast, the Forest of Brocéliande awaits you for a moment of pure magic 🪄. It's the forest of Merlin and King Arthur, where every tree, every pond has a story to tell. If you're looking for a place to disconnect, it's the perfect spot to get lost between the Fairy Mirror Pond and the Golden Tree! 🌲 We'll also take you to tour the castles and characterful cities like Combourg, cradle of romanticism, Fougères and its fortress, the largest in Europe, and Vitré, a medieval city at the crossroads of several regions. Still thirsty for beautiful stones? Rennes, the capital, welcomes you with its half-timbered houses and its Lices market.

Traditions that delight!

Running makes you hungry! Or thirsty... ? Choose your oyster in Cancale and enjoy it with a small glass of white wine facing the sea 🦪. It's also hard to overlook the legendary and delicious galette-sausage. Crispy, fragrant, exquisite... No wonder there's a very serious association for its preservation! An emblem of the entire region, to be enjoyed standing on the Place des Lices or near the Roazhon Park ! ⚽️

We could also talk about crêpes ! Did you know that the galette is the savory crêpe, made with buckwheat flour, and you shouldn't call it a sweet galette? It's like calling pain au chocolat a chocolatine, it's war! Another must-try is the fest-noz, those parties where you dance to traditional music until the break of dawn. Even with two left feet, the atmosphere will whisk you away, and you'll end up in a wild circle of dancers!

A playground for runners

If Ille-et-Vilaine weren't such a crazy place, there wouldn't be so many races to enjoy. Whether you're a fan of trail running or a road running enthusiast, you'll find your happiness. For nature lovers, the Trail Between Land and Sea in Saint-Coulomb offers breathtaking coastal landscapes. Its two courses run through the magnificent Anse du Guesclin beach, one of the most beautiful coves of the Emerald Coast. Well sheltered from the wind, between Pointe du Nid and Pointe des Grands Nez. And as a bonus, a cabbage at the finish! 🥬 Don't miss the Brocéliande Trail, a captivating race in the heart of the legendary forest of Brittany, starting from the Lake of Trémelin in Iffendic.

Pavement pros can test themselves on the Marathon Vert Rennes School of Business. Contrary to its name, it runs you through the city center for a 100% urban circuit, with the bonus of two night races 🌙. For a more festive atmosphere, the Foulées Saint-Gilloises is a sure bet, as is the Half Marathon Cancale-Saint-Malo, offering a unique panorama along the sea 🌊.

Wait, there's one more thing! 🤩 Have you visited the monuments of Rennes? If not, put on your sneakers and grab a bib for its Urban Trail ! This event is highly sought after, so hurry up to not miss the chance to discover the city on the run.

Looking for a more original challenge? The Intrail-Muros of Saint-Malo will have you running on the ramparts of the corsair city. And for those seeking performance, the Métropolitaines races in Saint-Grégoire are an excellent choice; beware, this race is particularly renowned as it attracts many top-level runners every year! Finally, discover Tout Rennes Court, it's the perfect event to have fun without spending a dime! Yes, registrations are 100% free! 🤩

In summary, Ille-et-Vilaine is not so vile after all! Victor Hugo himself said: "I am at this hour in the land of Fougères, in a city that should be piously visited by painters [...] I ran this in the sun, I ran it at dusk, I ran it again by moonlight and never tired of it, it is admirable."