Semi-Marathon d'Orvault.
The Semi-Marathon d'Orvault starts and finishes in the Grand Val business park on the northern edge of Nantes, and in between it makes a wide loop through the small valleys and hamlets of the countryside north of Orvault. The course is never steep but rarely flat, and the FFA Bronze-labelled half doubles as a qualifier for the French championships.
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
From the start arch on boulevard Mendès France the field runs west past the old centre of Orvault and out into the country. Around km 4 comes the first noticeable rise, about 17 m in half a kilometre, and from there the course gains height gradually, reaching its highest stretch at roughly 70 m between km 6 and 10 around Le Petit Aulnay.
The second half works back south through Château de la Tour, Les Houssières and Le Petit Loret in a series of short waves. Between km 17 and 19 sit two short ramps of four to five percent, exactly where legs start to fade. From km 20 the road drops gently along the route de Nantes past Le Bois Raguenet to the finish on rue Boucicaut, a few hundred metres from the start.
The organiser describes a mix of country roads and farm lanes through the vallons of the Orvault countryside: hedgerows, hamlets and small woods rather than city streets, even though start and finish sit beside a shopping centre reached by tram line 2 from Nantes. Traffic keeps moving in the race direction on much of the route; only the stretch from the village centre to the finish is closed. In mid March expect cool, often damp Atlantic weather.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 3.8 | 0.5 km | 3.6 % | 6 % | +17 m | — |
| km 11.4 | 0.4 km | 3.3 % | 4.6 % | +13 m | — |
| km 17 | 0.4 km | 4.1 % | 5.6 % | +17 m | — |
| km 18.8 | 0.5 km | 3.5 % | 5.2 % | +17 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 Semi-Marathon d'Orvault.
Start under control
The first ten kilometres climb slightly on average without ever feeling like uphill running. If you run them on feel at goal pace you will already be a touch too quick by the high point. Run the first half on effort and accept a 10 km split a few seconds per kilometre slower than your average.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between km 15 and 19. The waves after Les Houssières and the two ramps at km 17 and just before km 19 are short, but they arrive after more than an hour of running and break any rhythm. Take them with short steps and win the time back on the level ground after each one rather than cresting in the red.
Spend what is left
The trap is the finish. The last kilometre drops gently and pulls you home, but only if the ramps have left you something. The pacers for 1:30 to 2:00 are useful as long as you do not chase them through the waves.
Training plan for Semi-Marathon d'Orvault: 12-week build
Build the base
Most age-group runners will be out on the Orvault half for between 1:30 and 2:30, with results closing at 2:45. The effort is mostly steady and aerobic but broken up by many short rises that push you briefly over threshold and then ask you to recover.
Train race pace
The decisive part is the rolling final third, above all the two ramps around km 17 and 19. Build long runs on rolling ground with the hills deliberately placed in the second half, and finish them with a few kilometres at race pace. A threshold block with surges on a slope rehearses exactly the switch the course asks for.
Rehearse the course
A mid-March date means most of your build falls in winter. Keep the long runs outdoors despite cold, wind and rain, and test your kit and fuelling in that weather. On the farm-lane sections the ground can be soft after rain, which makes a few runs off tarmac worthwhile.
Arrive fresh
Aid stations sit at km 5, 10 and 15, with sponges at 17.5. If you expect to need more than two hours, practise drinking on the move at those intervals.
Courses
Download the Semi-Marathon d'Orvault course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Semi-Marathon d'Orvault 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 d'Orvault.
How long is Semi-Marathon d'Orvault?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault 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 Semi-Marathon d'Orvault have?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault has around 209 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 Semi-Marathon d'Orvault?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault is classified as Rolling, averaging 9.9 vertical metres per kilometre. 38% of the route is flat, 31% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 0% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Semi-Marathon d'Orvault have?
The hardest climb of Semi-Marathon d'Orvault starts at kilometre 3.8, runs for 0.5 km at an average of 3.6% and gains 17 metres. 4 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Semi-Marathon d'Orvault a loop course?
Yes, Semi-Marathon d'Orvault is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Semi-Marathon d'Orvault course?
Yes. The Semi-Marathon d'Orvault 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 Semi-Marathon d'Orvault?
Preparation for Semi-Marathon d'Orvault should account for 21.1 km, 209 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 Semi-Marathon d'Orvault?
The pacing strategy for Semi-Marathon d'Orvault should reflect 21.1 km, 209 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 d'Orvault take place?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault takes place on March 14, 2027.
Where does Semi-Marathon d'Orvault take place?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault takes place in Orvault, France.
Which distances does Semi-Marathon d'Orvault offer?
Semi-Marathon d'Orvault offers 2 distances — Semi-Marathon: 21.1 km; 10 km: 10 km.
How do I register for Semi-Marathon d'Orvault?
Registration runs through the organiser: semimarathonorvault.fr. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
