Festicap - Marathon de Guécélard

Cheerfulness and soreness will sum up your weekend at the Festicap-Marathon of Guécélard !

In Guécélard, you’ll discover or rediscover the art of an exceptional road race in a green village located just a stone’s throw from Le Mans, in the Pays de la Loire. And we mean it when we say it’s late October that the only Marathon in Sarthe takes place. Yes, yes, it’s not the catchphrase of Denis Brognart but almost: there will be only one ☝️ ! By the way, its rarity fuels the interest of several hundred runners from all over the hexagon and beyond... Locals, Le Mans residents, the Paris region, and neighboring countries like our Belgian friends are also joining in quickly 💨. This race is unanimous! Regarding the weather, as they say: a rainy race, a happy race. A few drops may show up and add a dash of madness, so plan your gear accordingly! ☔

But there’s more than the marathon in life! And yes, four races will face off, so you can pick the distance that suits you best between: the famous Guécélard Marathon, the new Ekiden of 42 km doable by 6 (and its little sister an Ekiden Kids of 4.5 km) or the half-marathon. But that’s not all, handcycles and adaptive sports are also welcome on the courses as are skilled walkers; so whether you’re Nordic walking or a hiking

The Festicap sounds festive but it also signals the Cap! Head to the autumn-colored countryside, for a nature-race to discover the leafy surroundings of pine trees, the fields and the orchards nearby 🍂. The Marathon and Half Marathon share the same start line, but the Ekiden will march to its own beat, and yes, each course has its own specificity! By the way, let’s talk about it. The 42 km and 21 km will start from Guécélard and cross the town of Yvré-le-Pôlin before returning to Guécélard. If you want to chase your best time, give it a go, but there will be some hills, so one loop for the half-marathon is probably doable but two loops for the marathon, you’ll feel them! Is your heart leaning toward the Ekiden in Guécélard? They’ll be much flatter but the surface is very varied, be careful not to slip or it could quickly turn into a video gag.

Then after you’ve pushed hard and crossed the finish line, you’ll be proud to say: I did it 🏁. And even if you won’t go as fast as the drivers of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 🏎️, every marathoner will earn a finisher’s medal! Speaking of which, it’s the perfect chance to discover, if you haven’t already, this mythical circuit located only about twenty kilometers from the race. Once there, take time to stroll through the Vieux Mans historic district and sample local specialties like a Sarthoise Marmite or even Bugattises, to treat yourself! 🍬

The Festicap - Guécélard Marathon will be your breath of fresh air before diving into November, the season of raclette and all that goes with it (we know you’re prepping your "winter body"). 😉 So dive in, immerse yourself in nature, and brave the kilometers because your legs will "flare up" — it’s hard work in Sarthe dialect!