La Western Azuréenne

Once upon a time in the West… ⬅️

Umm, more like the South! ⬇️ In April you’ve got a date with the Western Azurienne, on the French Riviera 🌞. On the agenda, no guns 🔫, no sheriffs or duels 😎, but stunning coves and breathtaking natural panoramas 💨. Located in the heart of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, this race lets you choose from 6 distances ranging from 165 km to 10 km. So, put on your sunglasses 🕶️, tuck away the cowboy hat, and join this crazy race 🤪.

Before we start our tale, let’s set a bit of context👇. The Western Azurienne is inspired by the famous Western States, the oldest and most prestigious ultramarathon in America 🇺🇸. No wonder the South drew inspiration from it: it sits among the 4 monumentally challenging races in the discipline with the Hardrock 100 (hello to Mathieu Blanchard 👋), the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc and the Grand Raid de la Réunion. So here in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez you’ll take on this American-style challenge. The crown distance is the 165 km and 5 000 mD+ achievable in solo or in a relay of 8 runners 8️⃣. Then, you have the 100 km (3 500 mD+ 🥵), the 65 km (2 000 mD+ 😟), the 42 km (1 500 mD+ 😥), the 25 km (1 000 mD+ 😮‍💨) and finally, the "nocturne du château", a 10 km at night with 150 mD+ under the stars 🌟. To embark on the conquest of the West of the South 🧭, you’ll take on routes with idyllic scenery in the heart of the Massif des Maures 🪨. You’ll pass through Grimaud, Sainte-Maxime, Gassin, Cavalaire-sur-Mer or La Garde-Freinet 😍. Not sure you want to sign up yet? 🤔 Wait to hear this: every finisher will get a Tarte Tropézienne, the famous local dessert made with creamy (and rich 🤫) custard and sugar brioche 🍞. Plus, this race is part of the Ligue ULTRA 🟢. This challenge consists of completing 4 Ligue ULTRA races in France 🇫🇷 to earn a shot at the big finale in Tahiti 🌺 (even we’re tempted 🫣). Among these 4 races: the Western Azurienne, the THP, the Ultra 01 and the Grand Raid Kiprun 3 vallées Moutiers 🏃. So if you want to try to snag a ticket to Polynesia, you know what you need to do 👀. We just hope you’re ready, because it won’t be easy (but sheriffs like you fear nothing 👊).

Once you’ve devoured your pie and your kilometers, why not stay sun-kissed in the Var? 👙 The Golf de Saint-Tropez is a summer hotspot, so visiting in April is the holy grail! 🧘 Take the time to wander the lanes of Saint-Tropez, stroll along the Sainte-Maxime bike pathor even hike the coastal path if you’ve had enough 🥾. For a touch of culture, we recommend the museum of the gendarmerie and cinema to dive back into the world of the Gendarme of Saint-Tropez 🎬. On the gastronomy side, the South has plenty to treat you to: oysters 🦪, seafood 🦞, bouillabaisse, tapenade… You won’t go hungry 😋.

Ready? We hope you’ll run faster than your shadow 🤠.