Semi-Marathon de Troyes

"Troyes, two, one... Go!" 🏃

At the heart of the Aube, in the Grand Est region, a new edition of the Troyes Half Marathon is shaping up to fire up your calves 🥵. The event returns in mid-May for a 31st history-making edition that blends intense effort with sports show 🎭. On the running side, you have two iconic distances to choose from: 10 km or 21 km. With more than 5,000 participants expected, the atmosphere promises to be festive and electric ⚡️. But the highlight is that this year, the Aubois prefecture where the historic events have taken place, is also hosting, over the same weekend, the French Championships in the 10 km 🇫🇷. The top runners in the discipline will head there to defend their title, or simply to try to snag it 🏅. Needless to say, the city course will be flat and fast 🏎️. That weekend, you can comfortably aim for a new PR while watching and learning from the national elites 🤩.

On site, you’ll run through the "Champagne Cork". No, there’s no slipping between bottles of sparkling wine! 🤣 That nickname for the city of Troyes comes from the fact that, viewed from above, its historic center looks exactly like a Champagne cork 🍾. So you might not notice it from below, but you’ll still do a good portion of the cork’s circumference 🔄. If you decide to line up for the half marathon and its 21.0975 km, you’re in for two laps ✌️. The elevation, as close as possible to 0 mD+ will let you focus solely on managing your effort. You’ll pass by the Seine along the route, but don’t spend too long admiring it—the clocks don’t wait for anyone 😳. For the “10 km Open”, you’ll only do a single loop, always with as little elevation as possible 😮‍💨. We’re here to chase records, not climb mountains! To keep participation open, two final formats are offered: a “corporate challenge" and a “youth race". No more boring seminars 🧔‍♂️, this is where your next sports team-building begins 🥸. The “youth race” is open to children aged 7 to 11 years, to spark a love of competition and test themselves over a playful kilometer 🤘. Indeed, Troyes really seems poised to become prey for the chronos hunters ⏱️.

In town, it’s a medieval film-set scenery waiting to be explored 🏰 : you’ll pass timber-framed and half-timbered houses that will take you back in time ⌛️. Expect to spot D'Artag̬nan or Aramis around every cobbled alley 👀. Notable monuments aren’t in short supply either: 42 buildings are protected as historical monuments 🏛️. Once the race is finished, take the time to explore these indoor architectures and learn more thanks to the city guided tours 📣. If you’re more into local craftsmanship, head to the little neighborhood shops 🏬 : Troyes is the historic capital of knitting and you should find more than one item that suits you 🛍️. Staying with local specialties, you can also count on Andouillette de Troyes AAAAA (and no, that isn’t a typo ✍️). A monument not historical but culinary this time 🤤, which we recommend savouring after the race rather than at the start line 😅. And for post-race recovery, you can stroll or lay out your picnic blanket at the Parc naturel régional de la Forêt d'Orient 🌳. The tranquil lakes and the nature you’ll see there will contrast with the burning intensity and buzz of the many runners on the race 🔥.

Grab your spot quickly and two minutes to start moving, Troyes in motion, you’ll already be on the starting line 🤪.