Mont Ventoux Half Marathon: Europe's Toughest Challenge!

THE CHALLENGE FOR ALL RUNNERS 🏃‍♂️

The Mont Ventoux Half Marathon is a race that climbs 😌. We should probably say, it ascends, it scales! 🧗‍♂️ Just kidding! Setting off from the authentic and renowned village of Bédoin, known for hosting one of the crucial stages of the Tour de France, you’ll embark on a challenging journey up to the summit of the Mont Ventoux ⛰️. 

Yes, you guessed it: this course is incredibly demanding, making it a real challenge for most running enthusiasts! 👟 You’ll be climbing 1,610 mD+ to reach the summit, which stands at a towering 1,910 meters above sea level 🙄. Trust us, you’ll feel like you’re touching the stars on those last few meters! During the Tour de France 🚴, these last few kilometers are among the most legendary and anticipated 🔥. 

Near the finish (© Mont Ventoux Half Marathon)

11.5% INCLINES 📐

The Mont Ventoux Half Marathon is rapidly gaining a reputation in the running community 🦶. Yes, indeed! This event is highly sought after by thrill-seekers, and it's clear why! It's considered one of the toughest in the country 💪, and even in Europe. The 21 km course of the Mont Ventoux is as formidable a challenge as it is a climb! 🪜 

Oh, we haven't mentioned it yet: the average incline of the slopes is 7.5%, and it can reach up to 11.5% 📈, particularly between the 8th and the 11th km. That's where the incline is at its steepest. Right in the middle! Perfect for maintaining a good pace, right? 😆 To give you an idea, the record for the Mont Ventoux Half Marathon is 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 10 seconds, held by none other than Hassan Chahdi! By comparison, the record for the Stramilano (the Milan Half Marathon) is 59 minutes and 12 seconds... 🏎️ That's 30 minutes less! 😲 Consider yourself warned: this isn’t a race for records. For the record, the women's record for the Mont Ventoux is held by the incredible Anaïs Quemener, who completed the race in 1 hour, 48 minutes, and 5 seconds 👏.

Mmmh, are you starting to feel your legs burning even before you’ve started? 🦵 That’s normal, it’s the adrenaline kicking in 😅. Don’t worry, we have plenty more reasons to entice you to sign up ✍️. The entire route is on the D974, and for this event, the road is all yours, running friend! How cool is that? 🤩

Elevation profile (© Mont Ventoux Half Marathon)

BÉDOIN, THE VILLAGE OF GREAT ATHLETES 🏋️‍♀️

You’re lucky to start your adventure in Bédoin. It’s truly the ideal spot for hosting such a grand race ✅. Not only because the village is at the base of the summit of the "Giant of Provence", but also because it regularly hosts elite athletes pushing their limits! 💪 The great thing about this race is that, despite its difficulty, the event maintains a "human scale" 🧍‍♂️. The quaint village warmly welcomes 1,000 participants. As you can see, this is a reasonable number, allowing everyone to join this half marathon, despite its immense reputation! 👑

It’s a village with a great atmosphere and all the charm you’d expect from a Provençal community! 🪻 It will welcome you perfectly as you prepare for this extraordinary experience: plenty of hotels, guesthouses, and campsites are available if you book in advance! 🏠 Once your reservation is set, you can enjoy a relaxing game of pétanque. And be warned, it’s a serious sport there, a national pastime! Bédoin’s Boules Society is full of pros! ⚫

The Mediterranean climate certainly helps with motivation (and enjoying the pétanque fields)! 🌅 Even though terrace cafés are extremely inviting ☕, what could be better than feeling the breeze on your face while running? 🌬️ But be cautious, at the summit, it’s often more than just a breeze; gusts can reach up to 300 km/h. No joke! Rest assured, no one has ever been blown away despite the high winds! 😂

Starting at the village of Bédoin (© Mont Ventoux Half Marathon)

PROVENCE AS FAR AS THE EYE CAN SEE 😍

View from Mont Ventoux (© @semidumontventoux)

Thankfully, the "Bald Mountain" isn’t always true to its name! Because yes, in July ☀️, in the beautiful region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, you’d better run in the shade to avoid a sunstroke! 🥵 For more than half the race, you’ll be able to take shelter underoak and cedar forests 🌲, which will, believe it or not, be your best friends!

The second half and the finish of the race, that’s where you’ll truly experience the "Bald Mountain" 👨‍🦲. It’s covered in limestone, giving it a whitish appearance and a lack of vegetation! 🗻 It’s a breathtaking lunar landscape 🌙, especially when you finally reach the summit and are rewarded with the best view: a stunning 360° panoramic vista! 👀 And of course, the other reward is the pride of having pushed yourself to the limits and reached the top, giving your best effort! 👏