Cabourg Half Marathon 2026

Running full speed ahead, nothing is better than doing it in Cabourg! 🏃‍♂️

Ladies and gentlemen, make way for the king of the North 👑. Attach your bibs and let yourself be carried by the splendid... Cabourg Half Marathon! 🌟 Once the excitement has calmed and you've regained your senses, we can tell you a bit more about this road race in an urban setting and by the coast. We guarantee it’s as refreshing as it gets 🤩.

Head to Calvados, in Normandy for this half marathon with a national scale within the famous seaside resort of Cabourg. Once a fishing village 🎣, it was not until the late 19th century that the city became, through the initiative of Henri Durand-Morimbeau and Achille Colin, respectively a lawyer and director of the Saint-Martin theater, a seaside resort 🌊. As the city rapidly developed, with the building of the famous "Grand-Hotel" (1861) and the Casino (1867), rebuilt of stone, it gave a new dimension to this more than renowned seaside resort 💁‍♀️. The period known as "La Belle Époque" was important for Cabourg. It indeed inspired many artists, including a certain Marcel Proust (no less!) who was charmed by both its beauty and its therapeutic benefits 🥰. For yes, Mr. Proust went to Cabourg to treat his asthma, surely to better prepare himself for the half marathon 😬. It also became a source of inspiration for part of his work "In Search of Lost Time" 🕰.

The meeting is set for the end of March 📆, as spring makes its grand entrance in Normandy 🌼, where the locals are well-acquainted with the region's climatic conditions 😅. However, if you're not from around here, and it's your first time in the area, we suggest packing some warm clothes or even spares just in case (but really just in case) the rain shows up ☔️. Also, the wind might decide to join the race 💨. Behind you or in front, it'll play with you to make you strain those legs or give you a little push 💪.

So, it's clear you're off for a legendary half marathon between land and sea 🦞, along the Normandy coast and through the main streets of the famous seaside resort 🔥. Don’t worry, it’s a rolling course without any gradient and accessible to all 👬. What awaits is a flat course 🚀, in the form of a loop that you'll complete twice, for twice the fun ➿. Now, let's take a look at the course! 👀 After an early start, the race kicks off at precisely 9 AM, near the legendary Stade Fernand Sastre 🏟️. After a fanfare start 🎺, you'll head west, skirting the commune of Varaville. At this hour, it will feel like you have the town just for yourself 🍀. You'll see there are very few turns, maybe a chance to unleash some sprints 🏎️. The course bypasses the city center and leads you to the Promenade Marcel Proust, which overlooks the beach and the sea. Rest assured, you won’t have your feet in the flat sand, it’s a 100% road half ⛱️. Now is not the time to be in search of lost time 😬, as you will run along the seafront for about 4 km 😄. Indeed, you’ll run (twice!) on the longest pedestrian promenade in Europe, allowing ample time to admire the view on offer 👀. It’s a long straight line with the sea on your left and on your right, a series of beautiful typical buildings from the area. Enjoy the view, the bracing iodine air from the flowered coast. You'll pass in front of the Marine Theatre as well as face the famous Grand Hotel and the Casino de Cabourg 🎰. We’re willing to bet you'll be amazed! 😍 At the end of the promenade, a 180-degree turn takes you along the river La Dives, with a view of the neighboring town, Dives-sur-Mer. Come on, just a few kilometers left until you complete your first lap. Only at the end of the second lap can you unleash your best stride in front of the stadium 🏟️.

So, did it take your breath away? 🫣 How about filling that belly now? 🍽️ Besides its stunning heritage, the city of Cabourg boasts many other attractions including its gastronomy 😋. Local flavors will delight your taste buds while offering variety. Can’t you just see yourself sitting on a terrace, overlooking the sea? 🍹 The city is beautiful, so don’t wait any longer to stroll through the center’s alleys. Moreover, you'll also have the chance to admire the buildings from the "Belle Époque." From the Villa Marie Antoinette to the Villa du Temps retrouvé, you'll be mesmerized by their distinctive style and architectural beauty 🏛️. Then why not try your luck at the casino? 🤑 Who knows, you might not leave empty-handed from your journey in Normandy 💰.

PS: If you’re won over by the half and want to challenge yourself the royal Marathon, we have something for you 🤠. Just a few kilometers away, and only a few weeks later, another event opens its doors: The International Marathon in Deauville 🦸. Mid-November, this event offers a variety of distances, from the most accessible to the legendary 42 km.