5 km et 10 km des Lions

Ah, l’Auvergne, this lush region where the mountains roll in volcanic clusters and where villages still exude rural charm and the scents of potée and stuffed cabbage! 🤤 The Puy-de-Dôme is a department housing a wealth of treasures, including the Regional Natural Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne and its chain of 80 volcanoes 🌋😮: the famous Puys chain! In the heart of the Hexagon, the puys region, now UNESCO World Heritage-listed, also brims with small towns that have preserved their authenticity. Among them, the charming Plauzat, tucked in the Plain of the Petite Limagne, at the gateway to the foothills of the famous Sancy. Between Clermont-Ferrand and Issoire, Plauzat is far more dynamic than it appears. The best proof? It has a running club that organizes, in the month of May, the 5k and 10k of the Lions, a friendly race that will surely make you roar with delight 🦁. Plus, the whole family 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 is invited to this event. The Lions races rhyme with the Lion Cubs races 😏. Indeed, there are 3 kids courses organized for the little kings of the savanna: a 700-meter Baby 👶🏼, a 1500-meter chicks 🐥, and a 2300-meter Benjamins!

From your feline stride 🐈‍⬛, you’ll begin by visiting the village via the 9-Fontaines circuit that leads to the local star: the Lion Fountain ⛲, registered in the inventory of historic monuments. Imagine, it is the old fountain of the castle, moved twice, first in 1873 and then in 1890, to its current location. It was given a proper facelift at the end of the 19th century with an upper basin and four mermaid 🧜‍♀️ and lion statues – which you guessed, gave it its name – all in Volvic stone to play the local card. This fountain, the centerpiece of this savannah-veined Auvergne village, could only push the organizing club, Plauzat Sport Nature 💪, to name its annual road race the “5k and 10k of the Lions – Lion Cubs Races”.

Like the jungle king 👑🐘, you’ll power through the miles of your rolling stride and treat yourself to some speed bursts worthy of a chase for antelope. The routes have been laid on very well-maintained paved roads (it would be a pity to wear out your paws 😂) and closed to all road traffic in both directions (we wouldn’t want to risk toppling the jungle king!). You might just set a record here, as the profiles are as flat as the African savanna with very little rain! 🌞 The two road races are very runnable with notably a start on a slight downhill for 2.5 kilometers. Just the right setup for a great pace, could feel like a clock ⏱️! This, added to the low elevation to expect on these two races (23 and 43 meters on the 5k and the 10k), it makes for the perfect recipe to take off like a rocket! 🚀

At the aid stations, you won’t find zebra leg, but rest assured, there will be plenty to fill your belly after the effort 😋🍴. And if it gets too hot, the event organizers will kindly add water points along your path. Don’t be afraid when you’re told your bib has a chip: it won’t bite, but it will put serious pressure on you by counting down the exact time you take to finish the course. Last but not least, you’ll get a gift if you’re among the first 300 predators to register 🎁. So, ready to roar your way through this run?