Open Fast Hiking Le Défi du Marseillais

"C'est Marseille bébé"... well, not exactly, but close 😬.

The Marseillean Challenge is a new event in Fast Hiking that starts in Roquevaire, just a few kilometers from the Provençal city ☀️. Forget the city crowds—here it's all about nature, fresh air, and the mountain-entry scenery of the Sainte-Baume Regional Park. This event, listed on the Fast Hiking Tour by the FFRandonnée, is split into 3 walking disciplines for all levels and will take you through the most beautiful Provencal panoramas, with no pressure of the clock 😮‍💨.

Block off your fourth week of October, when the trees turn yellow and don their golden gowns, because that’s when it all happens 🍁. On the program: an innovative approach, a route with a mountainy feel mountain, and terrain that lifts you up gently 👀. If you’re new to the discipline, here’s a quick recap: Fast Hiking is an official discipline comprised of steady fast walking, sustained effort, and above all a strong sense of navigation 🧭. You must self-navigate through natural landscapes, without markers, and maintain your effort until earning a badge at the finish, according to your pace: "Finisher" for a pace under 5 km/h 🏃, "Bronze" for a VE between 5 and 7 km/h 🥉, "Silver" for a VE between 7 and 8 km/h 🥈 or "Gold" for a VE > 8 km/h 🥇. All of this explained in under 200 words—clear, concise, and your turn to take a shot at it 🤪. For The Marseillean Challenge, you have 3 formats to choose from: 9 km to enjoy without burning out, 15 km to push your limits, or even the "12h of the Marseillean" with 720 minutes to climb the Mont du Marseillais as many times as you can 😌. This will give you a chance to mark, notice, and firmly announce your summit arrival 🏔️. Shorter distances won’t be easy either, with respective elevation gains of 450 mD+ for the 9 km and 900 mD+ for 15 km.

Regarding the onsite vibe, it’s simple: come as you are, go at your own pace, and soak in the scenery… 🌾 True joy is found in the landscapes. You’re there first and foremost for fresh air and good vibes 😉. Speaking of enjoyment, it doesn’t stop when the effort ends. Once the last aid station is reached, it’s time for the “Provencal comfort”! Take a stroll through Aubagne, make a detour to the massif de la Sainte-Baume (only if you still have a bit of juice 😂) for a sunny stroll or head to Gémenos for a peaceful break, between flower-filled valleys and shaded squares 🌸. If you want to see even more, Cassis opens its doors to end the weekend in postcard mode 🌊.

Seaside borders, rocky cliffs, and local vibes, Roquevaire will make you want to come back next year! 🪨