Seaside Races

Running while discovering breathtaking places, what more could you ask for? The sea opens up the horizon, and runners have plenty to be satisfied with. The coastline is so significant in France that one in ten French people lives by the sea (our Swiss or German friends can't say the same 😝). France even boasts 8 of the 43 most beautiful bays in the world according to the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World (yes, it actually exists)! 😂

Captured by the waves, at the water's edge, your mind wanders. In extraordinary maritime landscapes, a whole universe of smells and sounds will blend with your run and accompany your steps. Be careful if you take on a beach run, you better have strong ankles: the sand makes the effort harder for muscles that are more engaged 🥵.

By the seaside, the climate and environment can play tricks on you when you run. Mistral, Sirocco, rising and falling tides, dunes, salt marshes, pebbles, and other rocks: a moment of inattention, and you can quickly end up with your feet in the water! Don't forget your essential sunglasses, sunscreen, and cap if you want to avoid severe sunburns (and jokes on Monday at the office 😉).

We often associate the seaside with magnificent scenery, and rightly so! France is full of iconic spots along the coast, and it would take hours to present them all. Let's allow ourselves to mention the Arcachon Basin and its Pilat dune, Brittany and the Pink Granite Coast, the white stones of the creeks and inlets near Marseille or the unmissable Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy. Not to forget the islands, each more beautiful than the last, witnesses to some of the most beautiful races that exist: Corsica, Belle-Île-en-Mer, Île de Ré, Porquerolles, etc. Beyond the mainland, the overseas territories also contribute to the wealth and pride of the French natural heritage. Small fishing ports and harbor towns also form beautiful playgrounds. Thus Marseille, the first maritime port in France, offers 4 major running events each year, including the Marseille-Cassis. The port of Le Havre, the old port of La Rochelle, those of Saint-Nazaire and Brest also host several races each year with the scents of seaweed, the sounds of waves, and the cries of seagulls.

Running enthusiasts are well served, as France is one of the European countries offering the most road races (10 km, half-marathons, marathons...) and coastal trails. As examples: the Pointe du Raz trail, the Cancale Saint-Malo half, the Pointe de Caux trail, the Basque Country half, the Royan Côte de Beauté marathon (and many more to discover on Finishers 🥰.

And as we say: "after the effort, the comfort." In this case, the seaside reserves its greatest treasures for you: seafood platter, fresh fish, and white wine, all to be savored while lounging in a deckchair facing the vast blue expanse! 😎

As you can see, running by the sea means a change of scenery and escape. And if the saltwater stings your eyes too much, don’t worry, take a look at what we offer by the lake.