Running 66: Beer, witches, peaches and plenty of running
WITH DAVID DINSMORE
Whether it’s running by the seaside or in the mountains – or even through a brewery! – there are races in the PO for everyone
Running with a local flavour
The brewery was the Cap d’Ona one near Céret, sponsors of the annual Ronde Céretane, and the route runs right through the visitor centre, where they were offering glasses of beer to the runners.
One of the distinctive features of races here in the PO is how they reflect the locality – in the routes, the goody bags and the prizes. From a tray of peaches in Ille-sur-Têt in July to a bag of artichokes in Villelongue de la Salanque in April, each race reflects the season, the local specialities and the sponsors involved in its organisation.
No matter what kind of runner you are, you’ll find something to suit in the PO. You might even be tempted, as I was, to get into trail and mountain running after mainly being a road runner back home.
Not surprisingly, the Roussillon plain is where most of the road running takes place, with mostly shorter 5–10k events taking place in the seaside towns and around Perpignan. These have the big attraction of being almost totally flat – great if you’re aiming for a good time. The atmosphere is great in the towns, especially in the resorts in summer, when all the tourists line the streets to cheer the competitors on.
Towards the southern end of the department, where the Albères reach the sea, you’ll also find trail races. Collioure runs two events, for example, an 18k and an 8k, which start at the harbour, run across the beach and then head for the hills above the town.
Head for the hills
If trails are your thing, or if you fancy giving them a go, then head for the hills.
The daddy of them all is the Championnat du Canigou, held every August in Vernet. The main race is 33k, going from the centre of town to the top of Canigou and back. The winner usually does it in around three hours! There are other, shorter races over the weekend too.
Céret hosts the annual Ronde Céretane festival in September, with a 5k, 10k and half marathon over the weekend, as well as a children’s race, which is something many events organise alongside the main event.
One fun event I did for the first time this year was Les Baixes de Llo (Witches of Llo), which follows some of the old smugglers’ paths in the Sègre valley that were used to get escaped Allied personnel and others into Spain during WWII.
It was only when I got home and saw the route on my running app that I realised the organisers had made the course in the form of the outline of a witch on her broomstick, complete with cat!
Running at 70
One thing I really like about races here is that there are generally prizes for all age groups, something I wasn’t used to at home.
As a 70-year-old (hence in the M7 category), I’m never going to win a race, but I can compete with others in my age group and be rewarded for it if I manage to do well.
This is reflected in the league tables organised every year by the CDR66 (see below), which awards points based on your position in qualifying races and gives prizes at the end of the year in both trail and road categories.
Good racing without the big price tag
Another great thing about races is that they are relatively cheap to enter. I’m used to paying €30 or more to enter a race back home, whereas here most races are €10–15, with the occasional €20.
And the goody bags, prizes and refreshments are excellent, with end-of-race buffets reflecting the season and local specialities. Many races even have an optional meal for a small fee.
The social side
The social side of the events is very important. You’ll see the same runners and clubs every week – there is at least one race every weekend during the year – and soon find yourself competing with those in your age group, or younger!
When I started, I was often approached at the start by guys politely enquiring about my age, then looking either happy or disappointed when they learned which age group I was in.
I’ve joined a club this year – Team Trail Thuir – as I’m now here more or less full-time in retirement, and this has brought a new dimension to my running.
The club organises two training sessions a week, which makes a change from always running on your own and is also a great way of getting to know more French people. And, as the name suggests, being based in Thuir means that I’m getting to know the Aspres and the trails around that part of the department as well.
The club also organises social events, most recently a party to celebrate its 10th anniversary, so that’s another way to meet French people.
Joining a club is also the only way you can be licensed by the French Athletics Federation (see below). Nearly every town has a club, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one in your area. There’s even one called Semelles de plomb – Soles of Lead.
Useful information
CDR66
The CDR66 Facebook page provides information about events in the PO. This is the coordinating body for race scheduling and results in the department. They also manage a league table for runners in all age categories over the season, with awards for the top performers based on places in races, both road and trail.
Fédération Française d’Athlétisme (FFA)
www.athle.fr – for national news, licensing and other information. Membership runs from 1 September to 31 August every year. You have to join through an affiliated club, of which there are many in the department.
PPS
pps.athle.fr – to obtain medical clearance to take part in events. You watch a series of videos on health topics and pay €5, which covers you for a year. If you’re in a club and licensed by the FFA, this is covered in your licence fee. You can’t enter a race unless you are licensed or have a PPS certificate.