Races
Trail du Saint-Jacques
Le Puy-en-Velay. Camino country. One hundred thirty kilometers through the Massif Central on GR paths.
- Start2,697 ft
- High2,697 ft
- Low2,018 ft
- Finish2,119 ft
- Le Puy-en-Velay at mile 0.0
- Trail du Saint-Jacques mile 16 at mile 16, cutoff 5.6000000000000005 hours
- Trail du Saint-Jacques mile 32 at mile 32, cutoff 11.200000000000001 hours
- Trail du Saint-Jacques mile 49 at mile 49, cutoff 16.8 hours
- Trail du Saint-Jacques mile 65 at mile 65, cutoff 22.400000000000002 hours
- Finish France at mile 81, cutoff 28 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxMassif Central plateau trails in June heat with rolling vert (near mile 53)
Course DNA
The Course
Trail du Saint-Jacques runs 130 km through Le Puy-en-Velay, France. Surfaces skew 65% trail / 30% dirt road / 5% paved. Massif Central plateau trails in June heat with rolling vert. High point near 2,697 ft. Low near 2,018 ft. June temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 40.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 130 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 28 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 53.
Kit
June in Le Puy-en-Velay, France: plan for 45°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 28 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 20. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 65% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 40.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 20. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 40. Massif Central plateau trails in June heat with rolling vert near mile 53 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 27 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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