Valais Running 2026

In the month of July, get ready to Valais-gallop! 🐎

To nicely wrap up this second summer month ☀️, head to the Canton of Valais, in Sion, the oldest city in Switzerland 🇨🇭. This little town, existing since the prehistoric era 😵 has likely seen more than one runner, so you'll need some serious prepara-Sion (lol) if you want to make an impression 😆. The Valais Running and its two running events kick off a weekend of celebrations: Swiss National Day, Cyclosportive, and hiking 🥾, the following 48 hours promise to be intense ⚡️. Here, you don't need to bring your poles or hydration pack (unless you want to show off your fashion style 👗): we are set for flat and paved formats of 5 km and 10 km. You can test your power and aim for your PR on the proposed distances ⏱️, without worrying about the elevation you might encounter ✅.

The course, nicknamed the Loop of the Sédunois Bridges, is as unique as it is pleasant. It traverses 7 bridges and walkways 🌁. In just 10 km, that's practically an activity every kilometer, pretty cool, right? Forget the technical aspect of a trail full of roots on rugged terrain, here you could almost run with your eyes closed 😑. You'll string your strides on an essentially flat and smooth surface 🛣️, ideal for enjoying the view or simply clocking a new time 🏆. Whether it's on the 5 km or the 10 km, you'll run alongside the banks of the Rhône, before turning back and passing through the downtown 🔄. Be cautious, the start is at 7 PM, so if you linger too long, your late afternoon run might turn into a night run 🌙. It's a chance to see the city from a new perspective 📐. And don't worry about the atmosphere, the tourists and athletes present for the weekend will help lift you ⬆️.

Once you're proudly wearing your finisher medal around your neck, think about the next step of your journey 🤔. Sion is the kind of small town you might see featured in "Secrets of History" 📺. Except in this episode, you're Stéphane Bern 🤵‍♂️, and you'll venture to discover the area on your own 🌟. Nestled amidst the mountains, the town of Sion features two castles that stand out in the landscape: Valère and Tourbillon 🏰. If you're from the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes, images of Le Puy-en-Velay might come to mind 👀. The difference is that in Valais, it's snowy mountains that serve as a natural rampart to the city, not small, colorful valleys 😋. If you come to the event with your family, the region offers a variety of activities: you can explore the natural orchards of Bramois 🌳, turn towards the medieval village of Saillon, or continue your walk along the banks of the Borgne to relax your sore muscles ⛑️.

So, end of July, see you in Valais, to make history and perhaps one day be featured on emis-Sion? 🎥