Swimrun Côte Vermeille 2027

Between the Pyrenees that plunge straight into the Mediterranean, it’s hard to find scenery more in tune with the spirit of swimrun 🏊. The Swimrun International Côte Vermeille brings together, right in the middle of June, no fewer than seven formats spread between Cerbère, Banyuls-sur-Mer, Port-Vendres, Collioure and Argelès-sur-Mer 📍. These five municipalities in the Pyrénées-Orientales share the route without ever stepping on each other’s flippers 😵‍💫. Video game fans might almost hear an echo of Mario Kart’s "Bois Vermeil", except that here, no ramp spares you from swimming 🍄.

It all began in 2016, driven by the Challenge 02 association and its co-organizer Sylvain Rousselat, with a clear ambition: to match the beauty of the coastline with the sporting challenge it deserves 🤌. The race quickly earned the unofficial title of the first swimrun event organized in France, a pioneer status it has never lost since 🇫🇷. Eleven editions later, the event attracts more than 35 nationalities on the start line, with an online broadcast followed in more than 150 countries around the world 🌍. From 10 years old for the youngest competitors to well past 70 for the toughest veterans, the age range is dizzying—before you even get to the cliffs 🎂.

The course, for its part, doesn’t mess around. Competitors race in pairs linked by an elastic cord, alternating turquoise coves and steep trails in the Albera massif. All of it includes the climb up to Fort Saint-Elme overlooking Collioure, or the technical ascent to Tour Madeloc on the longer distances 🥵. The swims take place in the protected waters of the Cerbère-Banyuls marine nature reserve and the park natural marine park of the Gulf of Lion, between red porphyry cliffs and terraced vineyards that almost plunge into the sea 🍇.

Seven distances make up the program, from the intro format to the kilometric monster 🔥. The "Kids" kicks things off over 3.8 km, including 0.7 km of swimming in 4 sections and 3.1 km of running in 4 sections ⚡️. The "Short" climbs to 12.8 km with 2.11 km of swimming and 10.74 km of running across 5 sections each🌟. Next comes the "Medium", available in two versions: a "France" version reserved for licensed competitive athletes and counting as a stage of the FFTRI French championship, and a general public version. Both cover 26.6 km with 4.06 km of swimming in 9 sections and 22.44 km of running in 9 sections for 738 mD+ 📈. The "Long" stretches over 47.2 km, 6.94 km of swimming in 13 sections and 40.3 km of running in 13 sections for 1,863 mD+ 😳. At the top of the bill, the "Ultra ÖTILLÖ" covers 63.3 km between Cerbère and Argelès, with 8.66 km of swimming in 17 sections and 54.73 km of running in 18 sections for 2,498 mD+—the only French race to offer direct qualification for the world championship 🤓. A relay version of that same distance finally allows teams of 3 to 6 teammates to share the effort across three segments of around twenty kilometers each 🔄.

A pioneering race, the event has left nothing to chance on the environmental side either ♻️. Crossing no fewer than six Natura 2000 sites, a marine nature reserve, a natural marine park and two educational marine areas, the organization donates 1% of each entry fee to supportive and environmental associations—a way to sustain the playground that has kept it alive for a good decade 🌿. The atmosphere is bound to impress: between two running sections, competitors pass through villages listed as historical heritage sites, cross paths with stunned tourists on café terraces, and often leave with the Southern accent stuck in their ears, even if they weren’t born there 🤣.

The Côte Vermeille knows how to welcome its day guests, whether they come as spectators or as finishers fresh out of the water 🏅.