Patou Trail

Saint Lary Soulan, French Pyrenees. Vallée d'Aure. Patou Trail returns June 19‑21, 2026 — three days of mountain trail running. Choose the Kilomètre Vertical (Friday, 3.5 km, 1,000 m D+), Marathon / Relais (Saturday, 42 km, 3,400 m D+), Skyrace (Sunday, 22 km, 2,200 m D+), Tour des Villages 20 km (1,250 m D+), or Tour des Villages 11 km (700 m D+). Carefully chosen courses, quality marking and aid stations, authentic organization, and discovery of the Pyrenean landscape. Organized by a local athletics club with 100 volunteers. SOLD OUT for 2026 — waiting list only.

Location — Saint Lary Soulan, Vallée d'Aure, French Pyrenees:

• Saint Lary Soulan is a village and ski resort in the Pyrenees, in the department of Hautes‑Pyrénées (Occitanie region), about 1.5 hours south of Toulouse
• The Vallée d'Aure is known for its dramatic mountain scenery, traditional villages, and Pyrenean wildlife (including the patou — Pyrenean Mountain Dog, the event's namesake)
• The courses traverse preserved landscapes, ridges, mountain pastures, and village paths — with stunning views of the Pyrenees

Marathon / Relais — The Classic Event (Saturday, June 20, 6:15 AM):

• 42 km, 3,400 m D+ — a true mountain marathon
• Individual or relay (2 runners, split the distance)
• Early morning start — watch the sunrise over the Pyrenees
• Ages 20+
• SOLD OUT — waiting list available

Skyrace — Sunday's Main Event (22 km):

• 22 km, 2,200 m D+ — classic Skyrunning distance
• Starts at 8:00 AM on Sunday, June 21
• Ages 20+
• SOLD OUT — waiting list available

Tour des Villages — Shorter Distances, Village to Village (Sunday):

• 20 km, 1,250 m D+ — starts at 9:00 AM, ages 18+
• 11 km, 700 m D+ — starts at 10:00 AM, ages 16+
• These routes pass through traditional Pyrenean villages — perfect for those seeking a shorter but authentic mountain trail experience
• SOLD OUT — waiting list available

Kilomètre Vertical — Friday Evening Skyrunning (3.5 km):

• 3.5 km, 1,000 m D+ — steep, short, and explosive
• Starts at 7:00 PM on Friday, June 19
• Skyrunning format — a true vertical kilometer
• Ages 18+
• SOLD OUT — waiting list available

What's Included:

• Chip timing (net time)
• Finisher medal
• Event t‑shirt (technical fabric — included with registration)
• Quality aid stations (water, electrolyte, fruit, cheese, local specialties)
• Medical support on course
• Bag drop at start/finish
• Post‑race refreshments (local products)
• Age group awards (top 3 per category — specific categories not listed)
• Overall awards (top 3 male and female per distance)

Registration — SOLD OUT, Waiting List Only:

• Registration opened January 12, 2026 at 13:00 and sold out quickly
• All distances are full — waiting list available on njuko platform
• Enter the waiting list without payment; if a spot opens, you will be invited to register

Local Organization — 100 Volunteers, Authentic Atmosphere:

• Organized by Saint Lary Aure Athlétisme, the local athletics club
• Over 100 volunteers help make the event possible — a true community effort
• The event helps fund and support the club throughout the year
• Authentic, grassroots, and friendly — not a commercial mega‑race

Logistics — Mountain Race, Prepare Accordingly:

• Parking available in Saint Lary Soulan (arrive early — limited spaces)
• Bib pickup: Friday and Saturday at the race village (check event website for exact times)
• No refunds? Check with organizer — likely no refunds for sold‑out event
• No dogs allowed on the course (mountain wildlife and livestock)
• Strollers not permitted
• Mandatory gear: waterproof jacket, whistle, space blanket, cup (cupless event?), headlamp for early starts? Check race rules
• Altitude: courses reach over 2,000 m — be prepared for thin air

Nearby Attractions (post‑race — make a weekend of it in the Pyrenees):

• Saint Lary Soulan ski resort — summer hiking, mountain biking, and the cable car to the Pic de la Mousquère
• Parc National des Pyrénées — hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife (isards, marmots, vultures)
• Lac d'Oô — stunning turquoise lake, 30 minutes north of Saint Lary
• Vallée du Louron — traditional villages, Romanesque churches, and the Col de Peyresourde
• Lourdes (45 minutes west) — famous pilgrimage site and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes

Contact: patoutrail@gmail.com — website: www.patoutrailsaintlary.com.