Run and Bike de la Saint Patrick

You thought the St. Patrick was just about leprechauns and four-leaf clovers? 🍀 Big mistake! In March at Charleval you can also experience something truly special: the Run & Bike of St Patrick. If you don’t speak English and haven’t a clue what it’s about, no problem—we’ll guide you. Here’s the gist: a duo, a bike, wild trails in the Provençal hinterland, and real teamwork to test on the ground. Your teammate will be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how you handle the relays! 😅 The good news is that in Bouches-du-Rhône in March you dodge the winter chill 🥶 AND the summer heat 🥵. The perfect moment for a quality Run and Bike ✨ without ending up like a grilled sausage at a barbecue 🌭.

As for the routes, there’s something for every taste and level 💪. You can choose between 8 km with 225 mD+, 13 km with 440 mD+ or 16.5 km with 560 mD+. All routes run on trails and the single-track of Charleval, with only two short road sections to catch your breath 💨. It’s real natural playground terrain, with climbs that sting and descents that blow your hair back 💇. Gear-wise, nothing fancy: a bike and at minimum a helmet. One helmet for two is allowed, but a helmet per person is recommended for everyone’s safety and comfort. For team composition, you can do as you like: unisex, mixed, friends, couple, colleagues… as long as there are two of you and you’re motivated, it’s on! 😜 In the Bike & Run you always have a bit of strategy to spice up your race 🏃. Indeed, to maximize your chances of posting a solid time, it’s interesting to decide with your teammate who will run, when, and on which segment. A true chess game ♟️ where the piece is the one who wants to do the entire relay by running before realizing it’s better to settle on the bike saddle to maximize time ⏱️.

Located near the Durance, Charleval is a typical Provençal village amid hills, trails, pines and garrigue. For the connoisseurs, this is also where the Half Marathon and 10 km of the Durance start. On the encouragement front, the locals are seasoned; you’ll surely get a cheer with your buddy. A great boost when your quads cry stop 🦵. Let’s be honest: after you’ve chained relays, climbs, and bike exchanges 🚲, your legs may feel like mush and your stomach may beg for food 🍽️. That’s when you’ll understand why running in the PACA region is a luxury 💫. In the surroundings of Charleval, you’ll find the perfect rewards 🥇. Consider trying the olive oil fougasse if you haven’t yet: a crispy bread perfect for post-race nibbling. And if you want something heartier, head to a local inn for a good Provencal daube or some pieds-paquets (yes, it’s distinctive, but delicious). To digest, you can take a stroll to the Château de Charleval, now converted into an art center, or if you’re aiming higher, Aix-en-Provence is only about thirty kilometers south ⬇️.

Come on, let’s get moving and head to Charleval for a memorable Saint-Patrick 🧚.