The Whale on the Run 2026

🌊 Seaside 🏘️ In the city 🌙 Nocturne 🔗 Duo

Photo credits: La Baleine en Course

Trail Walking

Beauvoisin (Gard, Occitanie, France)View on map
Next event : 27 Fri ➜ March 28, 2026Date confirmed
5 km / 12 km / 16 km / 21 km / 30 km / 42 km / 58 km
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The event in a few words

Salt the whale? Oh no, you’re not meeting in your kitchen 🧑‍🍳, but in the birthplace of it! For the first edition of this marathon 🏃, come inaugurate its salt pans in March 2026, in Aigues-Mortes. Big or small, like seasoning jars 🧂, everyone is invited for a weekend by the water! The Whale on the Run, on the menu, it’s 7 distances, in a totally unusual setting! 🤨 And don’t worry about the clines, you have 6 distances where the maximum incline is 3 mD+ 😵‍💫, so it should be manageable... Under ideal weather, in March the sun 🌞 will join us. And, there are runs by the seaside 🏝️, which is usually great for teasing those who didn’t come 😛. So bring salt (people) and those motivated and choose the distance 🛣️ that suits you!

Altogether, 6 different distances, and even a duo race, Sel’ a folie 🤪. The bravest are invited on a salty route of 58 km 🤯. “ The Ultra Whale ” an unusual race, passing through the flora of Occitania 🌿. A unique landscape that will motivate you and add saltiness to your legs 🦵. Marathon rhymes with... “The Baleinethon”, 42 km, what better way to enjoy the weekend 🥰. With a pass over the fine sand 🏖️, the course is perfect for discovering the surroundings. Otherwise, you can split the difference (or, the whale 🐋) in two, and “the Semi-Baleinethon” will be perfect for you! A half-marathon, without waves... But with the legendary salt pans of the region 🎀. “The Flamingo Trail ”, I hope you'll spot some! 🦩 But for now, it’s mainly 30 km and 139 mD+ offered. Otherwise, return to childhood with “The Salter’s Cross” you won’t discover a new profession 🧑‍🌾 (a salter, one who collects salt), but a 12 km route around the lake of the town, pink 🩷 like candy. But well, a salty sweet might not be delicious 🤢. For those wanting to challenge themselves ⚡️ on a shorter distance, “The Little Whale” with 5 km around the salt pans, the record or pleasure, it’s a perfect distance! 🙂 To finish the week like champions (running champions, not kitchen ones) 😂, there’s also something for inseparable duos 👯, “ Salt and Pepper” a 16 km night race 🌖, perfect for making the event more unusual. The Whale awaits you with firm feet! And who said whale? Given your strides, it's more like a gazelle! 🦌

Strawberry syrup lakes? 🍓 No, no, it's definitely salt pans 😯. They are large installations for extracting sea salt 🌊. In Aigues-Mortes, since 1934, the fleur de sel “ La Baleine » has been harvested. Soon 100 years, incredible, isn’t it? 🤓 You definitely have to visit them, and with a little train, you can tour them if your run wasn’t enough! But beware ❗️, the Gard department promises madness 🎉, so don’t come just for a quick visit, extend your weekend! The town offers you an amazing heritage, with its medieval towers and ramparts 🏰, among the best-preserved in Europe 🇪🇺, a wonderful privilege. The Church of Notre-Dame des Sablons, the Chapel of the Capucins, ⛪️ and many more, are unmissable in the town. For geography enthusiasts 🗺️, you should know it’s at the heart of Camargue. There are vineyards, herds (semi-wild bull/horse herds 🐂), flamingos, nature reserves... We can't list everything, or we’ll be here all night, but you have plenty to enjoy! 😆 Where there's salt, there's food. Here, your taste buds are pampered! The anchoïade 🐟, special yet indispensable to the region, like the bull gardiane, a typical dish! And have you already heard of fougasse 🍞? A soft orange blossom brioche... it's truly a dream 💭.

So, ready to dive into this well-seasoned challenge? ✨

5 reasons to join this race

A historic race 1️⃣

Yes indeed, it’s the very first edition of the race this year 🎂. What better way to make history? Prepare your legs to set records ⏱️ or just have fun, but generally, a first time is a reason to celebrate. Plus, the location is completely unusual, it's an event you definitely don’t want to miss 🫵. And no excuses, there is a great choice of distances, so you will surely be satisfied 😌.

Pink amidst nature 🌸

Running around a "pink lake" is quite rare, but not for the salt pans. Here, they cover the Peccais marsh, southeast of the village, by the Mediterranean Sea. A salt pan is an installation that allows for the collection of fleur de sel from seawater. When the water 💦 enters a basin, the sun ☀️ and the wind evaporate the water, increasing the salt concentration. From basin to basin, the water saturates 🛑 and salt forms a crust at the bottom. But Jamy, why are the salt pans pink if the salt is white ⚪️? In these basins, there are microscopic algae rich in natural coloring, giving them this unique color 💖.

The town is historic ⛴️

Did you know? Louis IX, the creator of the town, established in 1240, the port ⚓️ of Aigues-Mortes, which was the very first in the Kingdom of France 🇫🇷 on the Mediterranean. It opened the Kingdom to this southern French sea. And for nearly two centuries, it would be the only French trading port. Moreover, in 1266, he decided to build walls 🏗️ all around the town, which today are unmissable.

The south of France 🌻

A little weekend in the South is never refused. With the beach, landscapes, and villages 🏘️ to visit, you’re in for a busy weekend, for a race you won’t forget 🧠. Closer to southeastern France, you’ll get the sun and the good mood 😁 that comes with it, honestly, isn’t it beautiful? Oh yes, salty (it is) 😉.

Original fauna 🦆

Even if we don’t think about it, these saline lands host many species. During your race, you’ll visit almost the entire site 🗺️, and you’ll be able to see a large number of animals. Since they’re fashion fans 💄, flamingos will definitely be part of the event, matching the color of the water. And these salt pans are the first reserve of flamingos in Europe! 🦩 You’ll also see plenty of water bird species, like ducks or moorhens, all around!

A distance for every taste

58 km : Ultra Whale

TrailThe most popular

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

If you want to discover the entirety of the unique landscapes of this city, this 58 km is perfect to pass all around the harvest areas! With a start at the foot of the salt flats 🩷, get ready for this magical race, a full immersion in these lands.

You will start near the City Pond, before passing by the Caitives Pond (finally water that has a normal color 😹). Afterwards, the Plain of the Abbot will be on the continuation of your route, just before you find yourself between the Brasol Pond and the Rolland Pond. No detour to Corsica, but you will have a passage by the Boniface Pond. You will skirt other ponds before finishing with them, then you will follow the beautiful Mediterranean Sea 😍, to then go through the enclosures: that of Jons, of Wild Boar (and still no Corsica 🐗…), of Korea, of Vovo… These are well-defined plots of saltworks. To finish, you will admire the Tables (not the ones to eat your salty dishes 🍽️), which will be right next to you during your race, a bright pink color, carefully delineated, and form the salt flats. And don't forget to look up because to the north, you will see the ramparts of Aigues-Mortes!

Your finish line will be at the same level as the start, making a loop almost as perfect as your race 💎.

42 km : Baleinethon

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

The mythical distance, a well-deserved marathon, that will make all registrants dream 💭. A perfect loop, which will take you through the best places.

Starting at the Étang de la Ville, you will admire its color for a while. Then by following it, you'll reach the surroundings of the Étang de Caitives and the Plaine de l’Abbé. You'll continue zigzagging amidst the city's Clos (well-defined salt farming plots), which will lead you straight to the southern waves 🌊. A little detour by the seaside adds some pep for the rest of the race! ⚡️

You'll finish by going back up once more between the Clos, to pass through the middle of the Tables de Cap de Riou and Salantes de la Ville, pink like flowers! Be sure to look straight ahead, because the city of Aigues-Mortes will be in front of you! 🏙️ That will take you straight to the finish line to become (or become again) a marathon runner!

30 km : Pink Flamingo Trail

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

The pink flamingos are here to motivate you! ✨ 30 km, halfway between marathon and half marathon, it's not a bad goal, but for more of a challenge, you'll have about 139 mD+, a good Trail keeps things moving!

Starting at the foot of the salt marshes, you'll head southwest to traverse the Clos du Levant du Nord, and the Repausset du Levant, very close to Grau-du-Roi, but no stopping for a seaside holiday! ⛱️ Next, you'll run along the Mas de Jarras-Listel, a large agricultural estate, the Domaine Royal de Jarras, a legendary vineyard of the region 🍇. To end on a pink note, you'll skirt the Étang de la Ville to finish where you started, but this time for the finish line!

And as its name suggests, during this run, don't forget to look for the pink flamingos, they're generally everywhere! 👀

21 km : Semi-whalethon

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

A half marathon, no less! You'll have plenty of opportunities to explore the surroundings, with a well-packed tour. 💪

Starting by circling around two Clos, very close to Grau-du-Roi, you'll be able to admire the stretches of water. 💧 You'll continue with the Mas de Jarras-Listet, looking at the vineyards as far as the eye can see, from the wine estate located there. Afterwards, the Tables of the salt-making site will welcome you, and you can run among several of them.

And to finish well, the Étang de la Ville will be on your right until the finish line. A champion's finish awaits you! 🎖️

16 km : Salt and Pepper Duo

Trail🌊 Seaside 🏘️ In the city 🌙 Nocturne 🔗 Duo

Friday, March 27, 2026

A few more words

A duo is generally inseparable, like salt and pepper🧂. So if you are both fans of running, this route is perfect for you! And to spice it up a little more, we suggest doing it at night! 🌝

A route that will take you along the Tables of the saliculture site, then around the Clos, which are very close to Grau-du-Roi. A setting that allows you to visit everything! You will then head back towards the Mas de Jarris-Listet, where grapes are the king of a true culture. 🍷 To finish, the Étang de la Ville will be nearby to cheer you on and reach the finish flag. 🏁

12 km : Saunier Cross

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

A perfect loop, in a pink world, like the Care Bears, it seems imaginary! 🧚‍♀️ And yet, that's exactly what awaits you for this cross.

You will start at the beginning of the salterns lands, with a first lap close to the salt mountains just harvested. Then you will follow with a complete circuit around the City Pond, a well-protected biodiversity space 🍀 and pink as a baby. You can see many animals there, especially water birds! Keep your eyes wide open, it's quite magnificent. But you'll also have the city's ramparts not far away, offering you a breathtaking view.

At the end of this lap, you will reach the finish line, where pride will take center stage! 🪑

5 km : Baleineau

Walking

Walking🌊 Seaside 🏘️ In the city

Saturday, March 28, 2026

A few more words

And as there is a beginning to everything, "the Baleineau", offers you a 5 km, perfect for having your eyes full of pink, on a well-organized tour. 🙌

With a view of the entire site, you will start by approaching the Old Perrier, a former farmhouse, which has now become the Salt Museum. But the visit is not just yet, so motivate your sneakers and continue around the water expanses, admiring their color. To finish, a final sprint 🫨 near the tons of harvested salt, and the finish arch will be waiting for you.