Photo: Ignaz Wiradi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Half Marathon of Pays de Saint Gilles
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, France
November 22, 2026Date confirmed
21.1 km10 km
Seaside & CoastCity Run
FRDepartment & Local Running Guide
Running Calendar Races in Vendée: Local Races & Courses
74 verified events (21 confirmed dates) and 432 races in Races in Vendée with course maps and elevation profiles.
Events7421 confirmed dates
Competitions432Races & courses
Distances0.8 - 133 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+3,458 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: Ignaz Wiradi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsPhoto: Ignaz Wiradi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningWalking & HikingUTMB Index Races
Les Courses du Père Noël
Les Herbiers, France
December 19, 2026 to December 20, 2026Date confirmed
133 km35 km24 km16 km+1
Nature & Off-RoadForest+4
Photo: Carsten Steger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningNordic Walking
Trail of the Coast of Light
Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, France
February 27, 2027 to February 28, 2027Date confirmed
28 km24 km16 km12 km+5
Nature & Off-RoadForest+4
Photo: Carsten Steger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Les Sables-d'Olonne Sand Marathon
Les Sables d'Olonne, France
April 3, 2027 to April 4, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km10 km
City RunSeaside & Coast+2
Photo: Carsten Steger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Urban Trail of the Sardines
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France
April 10, 2027Date confirmed
14 km7 km
Seaside & CoastCity Run+2
Photo: Fukumoto · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Cycling
1440 Race
Fontenay-le-Comte, France
June 19, 2027 to June 20, 2027Date confirmed
24 h
Multi-DayCulture & History+2
Photo: Ignaz Wiradi · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsRoad Running
Marathon Côte de Lumière
Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, France
October 10, 2027Date confirmed
42.2 km21.1 km
Seaside & CoastCity Run
Photo: Lance Cpl. Jason Jimenez · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsTriathlonDuathlon
Triathlon of La Roche-sur-Yon
La Roche-sur-Yon, France
Date to be announcedDate TBA
112.9 km51.5 km25.75 km13.3 km+2
Lakes & PondsNature & Off-Road
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
November 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 22, 2026 | Half Marathon of Pays de Saint Gilles | Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Pays de la Loire, FR | Road Running | 21.1 km10 km |
December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19, 2026 - Dec 20, 2026 | Les Courses du Père Noël | Les Herbiers, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 133 km35 km24 km16 km |
February 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 27, 2027 - Feb 28, 2027 | Trail of the Coast of Light | Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail RunningNordic Walking | 28 km24 km16 km12 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 3, 2027 - Apr 4, 2027 | Les Sables-d'Olonne Sand Marathon | Les Sables d'Olonne, Pays de la Loire, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km10 km |
| Apr 10, 2027 | Urban Trail of the Sardines | Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail Running | 14 km7 km |
June 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 19, 2027 - Jun 20, 2027 | 1440 Race | Fontenay-le-Comte, Pays de la Loire, FR | Road Cycling | 24 h |
October 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2027 | Marathon Côte de Lumière | Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie, Pays de la Loire, FR | Road Running | 42.2 km21.1 km |
Date to be announced
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date to be announced | Triathlon of La Roche-sur-Yon | La Roche-sur-Yon, Pays de la Loire, FR | TriathlonDuathlon | 112.9 km51.5 km25.75 km13.3 km |
| Date to be announced | La déjantés grand'landaise | Grand'Landes, Pays de la Loire, FR | Mountain BikingTrail Running | 60 km45 km35 km25 km |
| Date to be announced | Le Trail Champ du Loup | Chantonnay, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail Running | 75 km45 km42 km23 km |
| Date to be announced | La Martinoyenne | Saint-Martin-des-Noyers, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail RunningWalking & Hiking | 34 km21 km17 km15 km |
| Date to be announced | The Marsiréorthaise - Trail of the 3 Summits | Saint-Mars-la-Réorthe, Pays de la Loire, FR | Trail RunningNordic Walking | 44 km22 km15 km8 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
The administrative area of Races in Vendée (Pays de la Loire Region, Vendée, France) is represented in the RunningCompass catalog with 74 public events and 432 individual races, including 21 events with confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season. Core disciplines include Trail Running, Road Running, and Walking & Hiking. Key host locations include Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Les Herbiers, Les Sables d'Olonne, and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie. Notable events in the selection include Half Marathon of Pays de Saint Gilles, Les Courses du Père Noël, and Trail of the Coast of Light.
Race distances span from 0.8 km to 133 km, reaching up to +3,458 m of elevation gain on the most demanding courses. Every race listed for Races in Vendée includes an interactive MapLibre course map powered by OpenStreetMap, a high-resolution SVG elevation profile with gradient telemetry, and a direct GPX track download.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How many running events and races take place in Races in Vendée?
RunningCompass currently lists 74 verified events with 432 individual races in Races in Vendée. A total of 21 events have confirmed upcoming dates, while additional annual editions include full course and distance specifications. Notable events in the selection include Half Marathon of Pays de Saint Gilles, Les Courses du Père Noël, and Trail of the Coast of Light.
What disciplines and race distances are offered in Races in Vendée?
Events in Races in Vendée focus on Trail Running, Road Running, and Walking & Hiking. Course distances range from 0.8 km entry-level races up to 133 km endurance challenges. Primary host cities and towns include Saint-Hilaire-de-Riez, Les Herbiers, Les Sables d'Olonne, and Saint-Gilles-Croix-de-Vie.
What is the course profile, terrain, and elevation gain like in Races in Vendée?
The most selective courses in Races in Vendée climb up to +3,458 m of positive elevation gain. Each event page provides exact altitude range, ascent (+m), descent (-m), average and maximum gradient, an interactive course map, and a downloadable GPX file.
How can I find dates and register for running events in Races in Vendée?
The monthly race calendar on this page groups all confirmed dates chronologically alongside annual events awaiting their next date announcement. Use the discipline, distance, and month links or switch to the interactive map view (/en/events?view=map) to inspect individual event profiles and official organizer registration links.