Rambouillet Half-Marathon 2026

Are you good at negotiation? 😎 Well, because Rambouillet offers you an unbeatable deal: 7 km of city to warm up your calves, then 14 km of forest to reinvigorate you! 🌲 Added up, that equals 21 km and therefore a half-marathon! 🏃 You win in any case 😉.

Organized by the Rambouillet Olympique, this 38th edition of the Rambouillet Half-Marathon is not a vintage like any other. It is THE departmental championship of the Yvelines, and as a bonus, a possible qualification for the French Championships 🇫🇷. In other words, if you have legs and ambition, you are in the right place 🏆. March in Île-de-France is a time when it's neither too cold nor too hot. Just right for setting a record you'll be proud of 🤩, without ending up like a cooked shrimp 🦐. And running in the forest at the start of spring 🌸, when everything is budding and the air smells of nature waking up... It's therapeutic, almost zen! 🧘 Well, zen up to km 15, after that it’s each for their own 😂. The cool thing is that March is just when you're coming out of your winter training 🥶: you've worked hard during the cold months ❄️, and now you can finally show what you’re made of!

The course concept? Simple but effective. You start from the city center of Rambouillet 🏘️, cross the streets with the chateau as your view 🏰, and then bam! Head to the forest on smooth roads and bike paths 🚲. No treacherous roots, no mud up to your knees, just a good surface where your legs can turn freely 😌. You'll also have a brief relaxing moment (or not) skirting the Étang d'Or. This half is the kind of course where you can really focus on your performance without having to worry if you'll fall at the next corner 🤫. The route is smooth, meticulously marked 🧅, and the transitions between city and forest are seamless. You transition from the cheers of the crowd 👏 to the song of birds without even realizing it 🐦. Regarding the atmosphere, with a maximum of 3,000 runners, it's dense enough to be motivating but not chaotic 🚙. You feel the excitement of the departmental championship without elbowing your way through 21 km.

The race is also open to people with disabilities 💪. Yes, inclusion is important here 🫶. Guides for visually impaired people can also participate at no additional cost.

Once you've crossed the finish line 🏁 (and regained the use of your legs 🦵), Rambouillet has plenty to offer. The chateau and its park are royal (literally) 👑. A little historical tidbit: Louis XVI liked this place so much that he came here to hunt regularly. Well, you're hunting for a personal best ⏱️ rather than a stag, but the idea is the same: you come to Rambouillet to enjoy yourself! 🦌 You can also visit the national sheepfold if you're an animal lover 🐑 or the Étang d'Or for a pleasant walk that will do your calves good (or your stomach if you're digesting 😜). Speaking of food, there are plenty of options to suit your taste 👟. Local restaurateurs 🧑‍🍳 know well about hungry runners! 🤤 There are also a few local specialties: the Rambolitain 🍰, a pastry to die for or the Yolin, a crustless quiche 🥧 with flavors that will enhance your stay. You'll also find a lovely array of cheeses, such as the Mesnil Camembert 🧀. Plus, Rambouillet is barely 50 minutes from Paris by train, making it easily accessible for a hassle-free sporty weekend 🚄.

So, are you up for a royal half? 🤴