Menestrail

When Moncontour dons its finest trail armor, Le Menestrail emerges from the woods. This is that time of year when the colors of Brittany blend with sweat, when the trails wake from their slumber, and when everyone comes looking for a little challenge — according to their desires — on this playground that has seen many editions. Le Menestrail is a range of races, from discovery format to ultra-demanding, but always steeped in character and authenticity.

What you'll find on site:

• A trail village perched in the medieval city: race bibs, exchanges, local products and smiles;
• An atmosphere that blends seasoned runners with newcomers, all pulled by the same thread — mud, short breath, and controlled off-piste;
• Routes that tell the story of the region: green passages, rocky ridges, damp undergrowth, panoramas that reveal themselves when you go looking for them;
• Several formats for all tastes, all paces: the ultra that pushes far, the intermediate formats that balance effort and pleasure, and the short formats that open the door to discovery.

Course focus:

The Menestrail courses are an invitation to leave the asphalt behind and sleep a little in your running shoes. The Ultra Menestrail takes you on nearly 100 km with a very real elevation gain — hours spent taming the terrain, alternating between exposed weather-beaten ridges and slippery roots. The Grand Menestrail also hits hard: long stretches, technical passages, moments of balance between effort and vertigo, manageable even when your thighs are doing the talking. You'll also find the Cambrousse, the 34 km that strikes just right: long enough to push you, gentle enough to keep the smile on your face. And for those who prefer a lighter format, there's the Menestrail "classique" (24 km), the Crapahute, the Tour du Courtil… each with its own profile, its own challenges, all sharing one common trait: making you feel alive on the trail.

3 (very) good reasons to take part:

• Add some relief to your season: step outside the frame, test your limits, get to know the hillside grind, the gravel, the wind on your face;
• Choose your level, your style: ultra, long, medium or discovery — but always a version of yourself in the race;
• Join a trail community that celebrates sharing just as much as performance, in a genuine atmosphere, between effort, connection and nature.

Feel ready to leave your mark on the trails around Moncontour? The ground trembles a little, the paths are already whispering. Le Menestrail is waiting for you.