Semi-Marathon de Bolbec.
The Bolbec Half Marathon carries the name "Souvenir Pierre de Coubertin" and climbs from the town's valley floor onto the Pays de Caux plateau, past the Château de Mirville where the founder of the modern Olympics spent part of his childhood. Running it well takes strength for the Côte du Galet and patience for the long second half downhill and along the valley.
Bolbec Half Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The race starts on a Saturday afternoon in Rue Jacques Fauquet. A short loop through the town centre brings the field back under the start arch after a little over a kilometre, then the course heads north out of Bolbec on the Route de Mirville. From about km 4.3 comes the Côte du Galet, just under a kilometre at around five per cent with short ramps above ten. After that the course stays on the plateau at 130 to 140 metres, with a loop through the village of Nointot and a long straight back to the west.
The second half begins at the Château de Mirville, where the relay teams also change over. The D72 drops for several kilometres back to Bolbec, followed by a valley loop to Gruchet-le-Valasse, down Rue Alcide d'Amboise and back along the Avenue du Maréchal Foch. The run-in to the Esplanade du Val aux Grès ends with one more short climb.
The organiser calls the course hilly and demanding, with a tough opening up to km 5 and a more flowing second part. It is run on tarmac through residential streets, villages and the farmland of the Pays de Caux. The race has been held for almost five decades, is run by volunteers, and together with the 10 km brings around 1,500 finishers home; the roundabout by the Crédit Agricole sees the runners pass the spectators several times.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.6 | 0.4 km | 4.2 % | 5.4 % | +16 m | — |
| km 4.3 | 0.9 km | 5.4 % | 11.2 % | +50 m | — |
| km 21.7 | 0.3 km | 4.2 % | 5.5 % | +14 m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Bolbec Half Marathon.
Start under control
The first four kilometres are deceptive: the town loop and the gently rising Route de Mirville invite an opening that is too fast before the Côte du Galet arrives. Run deliberately below half-marathon pace until the foot of the climb and take the côte by feel, not by the watch. The steepest metres are short; overdo them and the plateau makes you pay.
Hold your rhythm
Between km 5 and 10 you decide how much is left for the second half. The plateau is rolling and open, and a westerly wind meets you on the long straight towards Mirville. Settle into an even rhythm there instead of attacking every rise.
Spend what is left
From the château the road runs downhill for a long time. The trap is to let it fly on the D72 and arrive in the flat valley loop to Gruchet on tired quads. Let the legs roll loosely, hold your pace in the valley and keep something for the short climb to the Val aux Grès.
Training plan for Bolbec Half Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For most runners the Bolbec Half Marathon takes between one and a half and two and a half hours. The effort is mainly aerobic with a clear strength block at the start: much of the climbing comes in the first five kilometres, followed by a rolling plateau, a long descent and a flat valley.
Train race pace
The race turns on the Côte du Galet and what it does to your legs. Add hill runs and short hill repeats of one to three minutes, and put a climb into the first half hour of your long runs so you learn to find your rhythm again after a steep section.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running matters just as much. Several kilometres of descent from km 10 load the quads eccentrically; regular stretches of relaxed, quick downhill running and strength work such as lunges prepare for that. Finish some long runs with flat kilometres at race pace to rehearse the valley loop at the end.
Arrive fresh
The start is in the afternoon in early September. It can still be warm, and the plateau offers little shade. Train at the same time of day now and then, and practise drinking at the four aid stations.
Courses
Download the Bolbec Half Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Semi-Marathon de Bolbec dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Semi-Marathon de Bolbec.
How long is Bolbec Half Marathon?
Bolbec Half Marathon is 21.1 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Bolbec Half Marathon have?
Bolbec Half Marathon has around 226 m of elevation gain over 21.1 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Bolbec Half Marathon?
Bolbec Half Marathon is classified as Rolling, averaging 10.2 vertical metres per kilometre. 37% of the route is flat, 30% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Bolbec Half Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Bolbec Half Marathon starts at kilometre 4.3, runs for 0.9 km at an average of 5.4% and gains 50 metres. 3 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Bolbec Half Marathon a loop course?
Yes, Bolbec Half Marathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Bolbec Half Marathon course?
Yes. The Bolbec Half Marathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Bolbec Half Marathon?
Preparation for Bolbec Half Marathon should account for 21.1 km, 226 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Bolbec Half Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Bolbec Half Marathon should reflect 21.1 km, 226 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Semi-Marathon de Bolbec take place?
Semi-Marathon de Bolbec takes place on September 4, 2027.
Where does Semi-Marathon de Bolbec take place?
Semi-Marathon de Bolbec takes place in Bolbec, France.
Which distances does Bolbec Half Marathon offer?
Bolbec Half Marathon offers 3 distances — Semi-marathon: 21.1 km; Relais Maison Dumont: 21.1 km (Half marathon); 10 km Renault Paul Bert Autos: 10 km.
How do I register for Bolbec Half Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: semi-bolbec.org. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
