All our races
The Marathon
As the half-marathon, the marathon is also hilly, fortunately there are also reasonably long flat sections and goes up must go down! Until the 4th km follows the same path as the semi-marathon, then veers left going past the ‘trou de mine’ the giant crater left after the British troops exploded the German munitions depot, signaling the start of the conflict in the Somme. Then you will run in the direction of Fricourt for 900m up the only unpaved track on the course. From Fricourt, 7th km, to Contalmaison 10th kilometer, the course is hilly and in this village the half marathon rejoins the marathon until the 16th kilometer where they again separate.
From 17th to 18th km you will be able catch you breathe as there is a long decent before continuing along a flat often shaded section until the 20th kilometer. From the 20th km to 24th km the course rises gently leading to Auchonvillers and then is again relatively flat until 30th km, where the competitors will climb one of the last hills before going down into Aveluy. At the 38th km there is one last 200m slope to climb at the entrance of the town, and you will again rejoin the half marathon route which is flat until the 41st mile, before finishing by a gently undulating 600m and cross the finish line.
The Half-Marathon
The half-marathon is gently hilly, rising steadily in the first part (thankfully with a few downhills and flat moments) until the 13th kilometer.
Drinks / energy food stations are every few kilometers, mostly in the different villages you run through, you will not want for water!
The course begins with a gently rising slope of about a kilometer , and then there is a steepish hill of 400 meters to reach a plateau, which allows one to see the impressive monument of Thiepval in the distance. Thiepval is the half way point of the race and from now on we run towards it. A short flat section is followed by a descent equivalent to the hill we had just climbed and then there is a gentle climb to reach the village of Bécourt. Then there is a flat section of about 1500 meters taking us to the village of Ovillers-Laboisselle ; Here the marathon and half marathon circuits split. The half marathon now climbs gently again for about 1000m, then becomes flat again for 800m and we run down a slope taking us into the village of Contalmaison ,where the half marathon and marathon routes re- join. After leaving the village we have run 7 km and we now enter a part of the courrse with several small ups and downs until the 12th km where we have the last long climb taking us to Thiepval, and half way!
After passing through the park past the monument of Thiepval, the hardest climbs are over and we can start running down for 1,600 meters towards Authuile, then a flattish part and new descent of 1500m to Aveluy we are now at the 17th km. From now to the 20th km the course is flattish rising and falling very gently, the last kilometer through Albert rises very gently then you will be welcomed by an adoring crowd as you finish in the marathon village.
The Half-Marathon Handbike
See Half-Marathon description.
The 10 km
The 10 km route consists of two circuits ,first there is a small circuit of 2600m , the first km descends by about 400 ms then after 1 km there is an equivalent rise taking you to the end of the second 2nd km. Then after going past the starting point you attack the second circuit which starts relatively flat until the 4th km, then goes down hill for 800 meters (unfortunately you have to climb it on the way back!) and then there is a flat section of 2 km, which take you on a visit round the Aerolia factory (formerly AIRBUS) .After leaving Aerolia the same is repeated in reverse , finally arriving in great form, full of running in the marathon village to warm applause!.
The 5 km
The 5 km route starts as do all the races in rue Robert Solent, opposite the marathon village, beginning with a slightly rising ‘false’ flat, followed by a 350m descent down "Chemin des Flammes", and then continuing on a flat portion of 1400 m alongside the old railway track ‘tortillard’, before going up Rue Duflos Ferret for 250m and then going round the little lakes of the velodrome ( very pretty) for 500m, then it is flattish until the 4500 mark when you need to summon your reserves to attack a 350 m hill, OOF! the last 150 m are flat finishing in the marathon village.
CHILDRENS’ RACES
400m at 11am : for children less than 10 years old
800m at 11. 15am : for children less than 12 years old
There will be a small souvenir given to each child taking part.
You can enroll your child, free of charge, just before the race, in the race you feel best adapted for him / her.
Just fill in the necessary form, at the enrolment table, wind your child up and let him / her go !
If you would like your children to run in either of these races please be sure they have sensible shoes to run in.
Children run at their own risk, we can not be held responsible for accidents (we will do our best to make sure the races are held in the safest conditions).
