Open Fast Hiking The Marseillais Challenge 2026

"It’s Marseille, baby"... well not exactly, but almost 😬.

The Marseillais Challenge is a new Fast Hiking event starting in Roquevaire, a few kilometers from the Phocaean city ☀️. Forget city dwellers and big-city crowds—here we keep only nature, fresh air, and the mountain gateway to the Sainte-Baume regional park. This event, listed on the FFRandonnée Fast Hiking Tour, is split into 3 walking events for all levels and takes you across the most beautiful Provençal panoramas—without the pressure of the clock 😮‍💨.

Block off your fourth week of October: it’s when the trees turn yellow and slip into their golden dress that everything happens 🍁. On the agenda: an innovative discipline, a course with a hint of mountains, and terrain that lets you gain elevation gently 👀. If you're new to the discipline, let us give you a quick recap: Fast Hiking is an official discipline made up of sustained fast walking, continuous effort, and above all a strong sense of navigation 🧭. You must find your way autonomously through natural landscapes, without markings, and keep up your effort until you earn a badge at the finish, depending on your completion speed: "Finisher" for an effort speed < 5 km/h 🏃, "Bronze" for an effort speed between 5 and 7 km/h 🥉, "Silver" for an effort speed between 7 and 8 km/h 🥈, or "Gold" for an effort speed > 8 km/h 🥇. All explained in under 200 words—clear, clean, and now it’s your turn to get to it 🤪. For The Marseillais Challenge, you can choose between 3 formats: 9 km to enjoy yourself without burning out, 15 km to challenge yourself, or even the "12 Hours of the Marseillais" format with 720 minutes at your disposal to climb Mont du Marseillais as many times as you can 😌. Enough to leave your mark, stand out, and confidently assert your presence at the summit 🏔️. The shorter distances won’t be a walk in the park either, with elevation gains of 450 mD+ for the 9 km and 900 mD+ for the 15 km.

As for the vibe on site, it’s very simple: come as you are, move at your own pace, and truly enjoy the scenery… 🌾 No pressure tied to time—the real kick is in the landscapes. You’re here first and foremost for a breath of fresh air and good vibes 😉. And speaking of enjoyment, it doesn’t stop when the effort ends. Once you reach the last refreshment point, it’s time for “Provençal comfort”! Stroll around Aubagne, take a detour through the Sainte-Baume massif (only if you’ve still got a bit left in the tank 😂) for a sunny walk, or head to Gémenos for a peaceful break among flowered valleys and small shaded squares 🌸. If you want to see even more, Cassis opens its doors to you to end the weekend postcard-style 🌊.

Seaside, rocky cliffs and local atmosphere, Roquevaire will make you want to Roque-come back the following year! 🪨