The Veni Vici 2026
- Next event : Sat, November 7, 2026Date confirmed
- Last event : Sat, November 8, 2025
The event in a few words
Hey there, brave gladiator! 🤺 Did you know that all roads lead to the Gard? No, no, we're not losing our Latin: every early November, a cohort of centurions, legionnaires, and other aspiring emperors invade the region for the Veni Vici. Those Finishers are crazy! 🤪
In the heart of the late season, the empire of Uzès once again hosts the mythical Veni Vici 💪, a race with guaranteed escape. In Occitan lands, you'll trace back some 2,000 years of history on the trail of our ancestors with an extraordinary creative genius as you head towards Nîmes 🏛️. Nemausus by its ancient name, or the "French Rome" as it is currently nicknamed, has retained the intact traces of its rich Roman past. Notably the arena where you have a date for your fight: the Nîmes aqueduct. A Roman monument counting among the most remarkable in the world, it houses a no less magnificent masterpiece, the Pont du Gard, which you'll have the chance to discover at the pace of your strides 😍. A charismatic two-thousand-year-old structure, a protected territory, and pleasant temperatures set the scene. This very scene attracted more than 10,000 participants in 2025, from 50 different countries. So, do you still have an excuse not to say you came, saw, and conquered? 🤔
You who have a taste for well-done things, you'll easily recognize from the proposed routes that this event is definitely not made of the same wood made of the same stone as the others 😏. With the Pont du Gard as a denominator common to all routes, you'll follow the prideful axis of the region's inhabitants: Uzès - Pont du Gard - Nîmes. On the program, 6 formats are laid out in this ancient setting, enough to satisfy all types of gladiators ⚔️: an 87 km trail (2,250 mD+), a 52 km trail (1,470 mD+), a 33 km route (715 mD+) to do in race format or Nordic walking, an 18 km trail (525 mD+) to complete running, and finally a 16 km hike (445 mD+) 👏. No matter the distance you choose, you can thank life, sing life, and dance life, because your race will offer you a monumental setting! 🤩
The empire bequeathed to us by our ancestors at the heart of the Gard is unimaginably rich, and you'll quickly realize it throughout your strides 🏃♂️. Prepare for a race with a thousand faces 🎭, at the core of which coexist cities, nature, villages, and Roman relics to form a harmonious and unforgettable picture. Immersed in the Gardan sagebrush 🌿, the variety of landscapes that will unfold will leave you speechless: dirt paths, streams, rocky trails 🪨 (be careful with those ankles), and pine forests will complete this beautiful tableau 🤤. You'll extend your strides in a very rich and contrasting Mediterranean vegetation. You'll run (or walk) in an environment of green oak forests 🌲, the emblematic tree of the region, and with wild fragrant plants such as thyme or rosemary 🌞. Not to mention vineyards 🍇 and olive groves 🫒, making you truly feel in the South 🏖️. You'll discover an historical and cultural heritage extremely rich, especially if you choose the longest distance. By crossing the complete Nîmes aqueduct (yes, yes... you read that right!), starting from the Uzès Castle, the first Duchy of France, you will zigzag the Vallée d'Eure and villages as typical as they are welcoming, all built of stone 🏘️, like Saint-Maximin, Argilliers, or Vers-Pont du Gard (we'll stop there, we won't reveal everything). Passing near the Vers stone quarries, you'll see where the stones used to construct the Pont du Gard were extracted, the very one you're looking forward to ⏳. Standing 49 meters high with its three superimposed rows of arches, it will tower proudly on your path, rich in its 2,000 years of existence. And as if all that wasn't enough, it's in the heart of Roman Nîmes, where your historical journey will end. Nemausus offers a majestic finish, past the Jardins de la Fontaine that you'll descend, the Tour Magne, la Maison Carrée, (listed last year as a World Heritage Site) and its famous Arenas 🏛️ where your journey ends. A majestic finish 🌳. But don't get too used to the order in which you'll discover all these architectural masterpieces, as the route changes direction every year! Each edition has new surprises and passages 🎁.
Although the race ended, nothing prevents you from staying a few more hours frozen in the Roman era 🏺. You got it, no need to go far when you're in Nîmes, to delve into Roman relics, particularly numerous in this city 😉. The Nîmes Arenas are an unavoidable must-see and will definitely transport you to Italy. It's impossible to leave without admiring the Maison Carrée, whose conservation is impressive. And for the promised feast to our day gladiators, we recommend the typical cod brandade with a drizzle of olive oil and a slice of Pélardon 🧀.
So, pack your best toga and a small pouch of sesterces, and come shout your best Veni Vidi Vici at the foot of the Pont du Gard! 🚩
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
87 kmTOP
52 km
33 km
18 km
16 km
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 7:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 2250mD+
- Distinct starting and finishing locations
A few more words
The 87 km will be THE main distance of the Veni Vici. You will be entitled to a full ascent of the Roman Aqueduct, starting from the Fontaine d'Eure in Uzès ⛲.
You will be immediately immersed in the Eure Valley before ascending the surrounding hills, then heading towards the villages of Saint-Maximin and Argilliers 🏘️. You will tackle some lovely climbs that will put you in your place 😅. Oh yes, the road is still long!
After a few kilometers in the hills, you will have the chance to visit the Vers Stone Quarries where the stones used for constructing the Pont du Gard 🤓 were extracted. You are going back to the source! You will then discover the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard, with a series of remnants of the aqueduct arches up to Castillon-du-Gard. Finally, the highlight of this route: crossing the Pont du Gard! 🤩
Your initiatory journey is complete, you are officially a Roman trail runner! 😎
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 8:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 1470mD+
- Distinct starting and finishing locations
A few more words
This 52 km will be the perfect compromise to discover the Veni Vici. A "marathon +" distance between the 87 km (which may frighten some) and the 33 km that others might find a bit too short 🤏.
Get ready for numerous ascents-descents in the first 10 kilometers 🏃♂️, which will soon be forgotten when you see the beauty of the mythical villages and sites: St-Bonnet-du-Gard, the site of the Roman-dug tunnels of Sernhac, the castles of Lédenon then of Cabrières… 🏰
You will then reach the municipal park of Mas d’Escattes at the entrance of Nîmes and the finish line won't be far ☝️. You will experience the Roman atmosphere at the foot of the Tour Magne, before racing down the slope of the Jardins de la Fontaine 💐, up to the final sprint in the Arenas of Nîmes 🤩.
A course designed for the bravest Romans who are thirsty for history! 💪
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 715mD+
- Distinct starting and finishing locations
A few more words
The 33 km will be the ideal compromise for those who are not yet ready for the full Veni Vici (87 km) or the 52 km! 🦵
You will start at the foot of the magnificent Duchy of Uzès under a sunrise, in the opposite direction of last year's course ☝️.
You will pass through the charming villages of Saint-Maximin and Argilliers, going through hills scented with thyme and rosemary 🌿. You will approach the village of Vers-Pont-du-Gard and have the chance to run in the aqueduct's channel and alongside the quarries where the stones used to build the Pont du Gard were extracted 🤓.
You will finally see the end of the race with the remnants of the aqueduct's arches, leading to the final crossing of the Pont du Gard, where the finish line awaits 🏁.
Experience 2,000 years of History and earn the medal at the finish! 🥇
33 km : Nordic Walking 33 km
Nordic Walking- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 10:00 AM
- Elevation gain : 715mD+
- Distinct starting and finishing locations
A few more words
On the same route as the runners, these 33 kilometers from Pont du Gard to Uzès 🌉. At a slightly slower pace, you'll have the opportunity to take a bit more time to admire the gems that our ancestors have left us.
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
- Elevation gain : 525mD+
- 1 loopx18 km
A few more words
If you're not quite ready to cover dozens of kilometers like a centurion on a mission, this distance of 18 kilometers will be perfect for you! 🙏 The smallest trail of the event, it hasn't been neglected as its route has been mapped all around the magnificent Pont du Gard 🔥. You'll start at the foot of this imposing monument and finish at the heights to admire this double millennial structure from a little higher up 🤩.
- Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 9:30 AM
- Elevation gain : 445mD+
- 1 loopx16 km
A few more words
This hike, ideal for a family audience, is a great way to discover the most iconic part of the aqueduct of Nîmes created in the 1st century. To be done solo, with friends, or with family, open to everyone from 7 years old! 😌
On a unique hiking trail that highlights the environment of the Pont du Gard site, you'll enjoy a real sporting course (445 m elevation gain) 🏃♀️, a bit more rolling and less technical than the 18 km run 🥵.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Bib pick-up will occur in two phases at the Site of the Pont du Gard on the left bank (Vers-Pont-du-Gard side):
Friday, November 6, 2026, from 9 AM to 9 PM
Saturday, November 7, 2026, starting at 6:00 AM
The races will start on Saturday, November 7, 2026:
87 km: departure from Uzès at 7:30 AM
52 km: departure at Pont du Gard at 8 AM
33 km run: departure from Uzès at 10 AM
33 km Nordic walk: departure from Uzès at 12 PM
18 km: departure on the left bank of the Pont du Gard (Vers-Pont-du-Gard) at 2 PM
16 km hike: departure on the left bank of the Pont du Gard at 9:30 AM
87 km: 6 refreshment stations will be available on the course, as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish (in Nîmes).
52 km: 3 refreshment stations will be available on the course, as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish (in Nîmes).
33 km run: 2 complete refreshment stations will be available as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish at Pont du Gard.
33 km Nordic walk: 2 complete refreshment stations will be available as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish at Pont du Gard.
18 km: 2 complete refreshment stations will be available as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish at Pont du Gard.
16 km hike: 2 complete refreshment stations will be available as well as a complete solid and liquid refreshment station at the finish at Pont du Gard.
87 km:
Round-trip shuttle Nîmes > Uzès (will take you to the race start on Saturday morning, about 1h30 before your start time): €12
The shuttle departure for the 87 km will be near the Nîmes Arenas, heading towards Uzès where the race start will be.
Note: there will be no return shuttle between Nîmes and Uzès after the race.
52 km:
Round-trip shuttle 52 km Nîmes > Pont du Gard (will take you to the race start on Saturday morning, about 1h30 before your start time): €11
The shuttle departure for the 52 km will be near the Nîmes Arenas, heading towards Pont du Gard where the race start will be.
Note: there will be no return shuttle between Nîmes and Pont du Gard after the race.
33 km run:
Round-trip shuttle Pont du Gard > Uzès (will take you to the race start on Saturday morning, about 1h30 before your start time): €6
The shuttle departure for the 33 km will be from the left bank parking at Pont du Gard, heading towards Uzès where the race start will be.
Note: there will be no return shuttle between Pont du Gard and Uzès after the race.
33 km Nordic walk:
Round-trip shuttle Pont du Gard > Uzès (will take you to the race start on Saturday morning, about 1h30 before your start time): €6
The shuttle departure for the 33 km will be from the left bank parking at Pont du Gard, heading towards Uzès where the race start will be.
Note: there will be no return shuttle between Pont du Gard and Uzès after the race.
On the Site of the Pont du Gard:
Friday, November 6, 2026: parking will be exceptionally free on both parkings (left bank and right bank) for the bib pick-up day from 9 AM to 9 PM.
Saturday, November 7, 2026: the parkings at the Site of the Pont du Gard, also open to visitors, will be chargeable (€9 per vehicle for the full day, granting a free access to the site for a year). Payment can be made: at the automatic cashiers located near the buildings on each bank or by credit card at the exit gates.
Note that vehicles are not allowed to park overnight at the Pont du Gard site.
There will also be free park-and-ride facilities (with nonstop shuttles) near the Pont du Gard all day on Saturday, November 7. Their location will be signposted and detailed parking info will be sent ahead of the event to all participants.
In Nîmes:
All parking information for Nîmes is available here: www.nimes-stationnement.fr
In Uzès:
Find the list of available parking here
For participants traveling in motorhomes:
We invite you to contact the tourist office of the Uzès – Pont du Gard area: www.uzes-pontdugard.com / Tel. 04 66 22 68 88
For the 87 km:
Participants can bring their bag to the start in Uzès to stay dressed before their start. The bag drop-off will be immediately next to the starting line. They will find their bag immediately after crossing the finish line in Nîmes.
For the 52 km:
Participants can bring their bag to the start at Pont du Gard to stay dressed before their start. The bag drop-off will be immediately next to the starting line. They will find their bag immediately after crossing the finish line in Nîmes.
For the 33 km (run & Nordic walk):
Participants can bring their bag to the start in Uzès to stay dressed before their start. The bag drop-off will be immediately next to the starting line. They will find their bag immediately after crossing the finish line at Pont du Gard.
Note that the bag instructions are also open to participants who do not take the bus shuttle.
Maximum accepted size for bags: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (airplane cabin luggage).
87 km: mobile phone, minimum 50 cl water reserve, survival blanket, headlamp, whistle, energy bars and/or gels, running shoes (preferably trail), personal cup or flask to access refreshments on courses and at the finish
52 km: the same mandatory equipment as for the 87 km runners is required for participants.
33 km run: the same mandatory equipment as for the 87 km runners is required for participants, including the headlamp (as it gets dark relatively early in November).
33 km Nordic walk: the same mandatory equipment as for the 87 km runners is required for participants, including the headlamp (as it gets dark relatively early in November).
18 km: no mandatory equipment (note: no cup distributed). A water reserve is highly recommended due to the distance.
16 km hike: no mandatory equipment. A water reserve is highly recommended due to the distance (no cup will be distributed).
Poles are allowed on all race & hike formats.
There will be only for the runners of the 87 km, 52 km, 33 km (run and Nordic walk), and 18 km. More information to come.
No, the medical certificate is no longer required in France to be able to start.
The new PPS attestation available here replaces it. This FFA Health Prevention Course must be completed in the year preceding the event and its number must be filled in on the registration platform.
For adult participants who hold an FFA* or accredited federation license: In their case, the PPS is directly integrated into their license. They simply need to fill in the "License" field when registering online (if the current season) or in their registration space when invited to do so by email.
Minors will need to complete a questionnaire regarding their health status.
For more information on the Health Prevention Course (PPS), we advise you this article.
If you have other questions, you can contact the organizers at this address info@lavenivici.com
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