Race certified by Finishers: event approved by the organizer

Yvan Vignaroli Race 2027

Photo credits: Wikimedia Commons
Road Running
👶 Kids & juniors courses
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The event in a few words

"What did we do with the sneakers, the cardio, and the big ladder?" 👟

Head to the Bouches-du-Rhône for a 100% southern weekend! ☀️ Located 30 minutes from Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, the town of Gardanne welcomes you with open arms for the very first edition of the Yvan Vignaroli race, a firefighter who died during the Milles fires in 2012 👨‍🚒. Between the hills of Provence, urban sections, and old spoil heaps—artificial hills of mining waste that have now become green havens 🌿—you'll discover the perfect setting to combine sport, nature and running under the southern sun.

This event is entirely charity-based and is organized by the Gardanne Firefighters' Association. Whether you come to take on a great challenge, to share a friendly moment, or to pay tribute to our heroes, you'll definitely find the distance that suits you 🤝. The firefighters offer three road courses: a dedicated 1.5 km for mini champions who want to challenge themselves, a 5 km perfect for having fun, and a 10 km with a very specific profile! 🔥

Don't be fooled by appearances: with its 237 m D+, the 10 km will be a real challenge on asphalt—it's up to you to take it on! 💪 As you roam the alleys of the old town and slalom along the slopes of the spoil heaps, the town of Gardanne will hold no more secrets for you 🤫. Here, you come for effort management and above all to feast your eyes on magnificent panoramas of the Sainte-Victoire massif rising on the horizon! ⛰️

After this great dose of adrenaline and burning thighs, it's time to recover! 🛏️ Take the opportunity to stretch out in the Valabre park. If you're more in a discovery mood, continue your weekend around the Old Port of Marseille or the fountains of Aix-en-Provence ⛲️. For sports nutrition, forget the energy gels. In this beautiful region you'll fuel up with tapenade, aioli and calissons 🍽️. To end the day properly, a game of pétanque is a must to definitively validate your diploma as a "Southern Finisher"!

Set your sights on the Bouches-du-Rhône—we're just waiting for you! 🚗

4 reasons to join this race

Run with the firefighters 🧑‍🚒
By pinning on your bib, you're doing much more than running: you're supporting a great cause. Organized by the Gardanne Firefighters' Association, the event donates part of its proceeds to the Firefighters' Orphans Fund (Œuvre des Pupilles des Sapeurs-Pompiers) 💸. Running with heart and legs on fire is the guarantee of an extra bit of soul with every kilometer! 🔥
The Provençal atmosphere 🤌
Here, it's the village spirit and Southern friendliness that come first. Between the warm encouragement from locals along the course, the good vibes from the volunteers, and that generous sun lighting up every stride, the atmosphere is simply unique 🤩. The collective energy turns the effort into a real celebration: every smile you meet gives you breath, every round of applause picks up your pace, and you literally feel carried from the first to the last meter 🏁.
Perfect terrain 😁
Whether you're taking on the challenge of crossing the finish line of your very first official race, you have a time to beat in your sights over 5 or 10 km, or you're simply looking for a great family outing to get the kids running, the event was designed to meet every desire 🫵. Accessible courses for performance, plus activities suited to the youngest. No one left out: everyone finds the ideal distance to take on their own challenge, share a good time, and enjoy themselves at their own pace ⏱️.
A true nature getaway 🍃
Pair your bib with an unforgettable sightseeing trip! Nestled at the foot of Sainte-Victoire mountain and just a stone's throw from the historic center of Aix-en-Provence, the event offers the perfect setting to extend the fun after the finish line. It's the ideal opportunity to combine a sporting challenge with moments of escape 🏔️. Make the most of it to stroll in the shade of Provençal alleyways, visit cultural sites, and savor Mediterranean cuisine on a terrace under a blue sky. The weekend promises to be as intense as it is rejuvenating 🧘.

A word from the organizer:

"The Gardanne Firefighters' Association invites you to a road race like no other. This day will be marked by sport, sharing and solidarity, in tribute to Yvan Vignaroli, a firefighter who died in the line of duty. Whether you are a seasoned athlete, an occasional runner, or simply coming to share a moment with us, everyone is welcome ! Part of the funds raised will be donated to the Firefighters' Orphans Fund, to keep this day alive around the values that bring us together: solidarity, fraternity and remembrance. One bib, one race, one memory."

A distance for every taste

10 km : Road Running 10 km

Road RunningThe most popular
Road Running
  • End of September 2027
  • Elevation gain : 237mD+
  • 10 km

A few more words

This is the flagship event of the day! 👑 This 10 km road course winds through the streets of Gardanne 🏃. Very accessible yet punchy enough to test your endurance, it’s perfect for validating your back-to-school training or for trying to nail a great time ⏱️. Expect a fired-up crowd and an electric atmosphere at the finish line! Also available in walking mode to enjoy the scenery at your own pace while supporting the event 🚶.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

You can pick up your bib on Sunday, September 27, 2026 at 8:00 a.m., at the Gardanne Fire and Rescue Center.

The races will start on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the Gardanne Fire and Rescue Center:

  • For the 1.5 km (children): at 10:00 a.m.

  • For the 5 km: at 10:30 a.m.

  • For the 10 km: at 10:30 a.m.

No, it is not mandatory; however, you will need to present a PPS certificate dated less than one year from the race date.

  • Child bib (Child bib age under 12): €5

  • 1.5 km walk: €5

  • 5 km bib: €12

  • 5 km walk: €12

  • Adult 10 km bib: €15

On the 1.5 km, the time limit is 1 hour; on the 5 km, 1 hour 30 minutes; and on the 10 km, it is 2 hours.

If you still have questions, you can contact the organizers on Instagram: here

An aid station is planned at the 6th km and at the finish.

Focus

Course Yvan Vignaroli 2026
Course Yvan Vignaroli 2026
Course Yvan Vignaroli 2026
Course Yvan Vignaroli 2026
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