Semi-Marathon du Finistère.
The Finistère Half Marathon crosses the Crozon peninsula from the harbour at Morgat to the harbour at Camaret-sur-Mer, with both start and finish practically at sea level. In between lies a rolling plateau with two real climbs, and a good time here is controlled in the middle of the race rather than won at the start.
Finistère Half Marathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The start is at the harbour in Morgat, and the first two kilometres stay flat. Then comes the clearest climb of the day: from kilometre 1.9 the road gains just over 50 metres in about 1.4 kilometres onto the plateau, briefly steeper than eight percent. Up top it rolls until around kilometre 10, with the high point at about 90 metres near kilometre 8.
From kilometre 10.6 the route picks up the course of the 10K, which starts later in Crozon. About four kilometres of downhill follow, almost back to sea level, and then a long, even rise of around 40 metres between kilometres 14.5 and 17. The final three and a half kilometres drop to the quay at Camaret.
The organiser caps the field at 3,500 runners and, with more than 300 volunteers, stages it as the Finistère's big early-season road race. It is run in February on open roads of the peninsula at the western tip of Brittany, and the finish is the Quai Téphany on Camaret harbour, where the race village and prize-giving are. Because the course is not a loop, runners park in Camaret and take the shuttle to the start.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 1.9 | 1.4 km | 3.8 % | 8.8 % | +53 m | — |
| km 13.7 | 0.3 km | 3.3 % | 4.7 % | +10 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 Finistère Half Marathon.
Start under control
The early climb after kilometre 1.9 is the first trap. The field is still packed, the legs are fresh, and it is easy to push the 50-odd metres at goal pace. Run it on feel and give away a few seconds; the rolling plateau up to kilometre 10 lets you settle into rhythm without any effort.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 10 and 17. The long downhill after kilometre 10.6 carries you faster than goal pace, but straight after it comes the two-and-a-half-kilometre rise. Overspend on the way down and you pay for it twice there. Keep the effort constant on the descent, take the climb evenly and save the push for the last three and a half kilometres, which fall all the way to the harbour.
Spend what is left
From kilometre 10.6 you also share the road with the 10K, whose front runners catch the back of the half-marathon field. Keep right and do not get pulled into somebody else's pace.
Training plan for Finistère Half Marathon: 12-week build
Build the base
For most age-group runners the half takes between 1:30 and 2:30, a continuous aerobic effort just below threshold. The course rolls but is never steep for long; it asks for strength endurance on two clearly defined climbs and the ability to get back up to speed after a descent.
Train race pace
The second half decides the race: four kilometres downhill on already tired legs, then a long, gentle climb where many runners fade. Practise exactly that sequence. Long runs on rolling roads whose final third includes a descent followed by a climb at half-marathon pace are the most important session.
Rehearse the course
Add tempo runs and 1 to 3 kilometre intervals on gently rising asphalt, plus short hill repeats so the steep early section after kilometre 1.9 does not wreck your heart rate for the opening kilometres.
Arrive fresh
The race is held in February on the Atlantic coast, so the whole build falls in winter. The organiser advises a warm layer or a poncho at the start, where you wait in the open without shelter. Train in wind and rain as well, and test your kit for a cold, windy race day on long runs beforehand.
Courses
Download the Finistère Half Marathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Semi-Marathon du Finistère 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 du Finistère.
How long is Finistère Half Marathon?
Finistère 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 Finistère Half Marathon have?
Finistère Half Marathon has around 198 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 Finistère Half Marathon?
Finistère Half Marathon is classified as Rolling, averaging 9.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 34% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Finistère Half Marathon have?
The hardest climb of Finistère Half Marathon starts at kilometre 1.9, runs for 1.4 km at an average of 3.8% and gains 53 metres. 2 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Finistère Half Marathon a loop course?
No, Finistère Half Marathon is a point-to-point course: start and finish are in different places.
Is there a GPX file for the Finistère Half Marathon course?
Yes. The Finistère 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 Finistère Half Marathon?
Preparation for Finistère Half Marathon should account for 21.1 km, 198 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 Finistère Half Marathon?
The pacing strategy for Finistère Half Marathon should reflect 21.1 km, 198 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 du Finistère take place?
Semi-Marathon du Finistère takes place on February 21, 2027.
Where does Semi-Marathon du Finistère take place?
Semi-Marathon du Finistère takes place in Camaret-sur-Mer, France.
Which distances does Finistère Half Marathon offer?
Finistère Half Marathon offers 2 distances — Semi-Marathon: 21.1 km; 10K: 10 km.
How do I register for Finistère Half Marathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: semimarathondufinistere.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
