Course des Poiriers en Fleurs

The 12th Course des Poiriers en Fleurs (Pear Trees in Bloom Race) is scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2026, in Mantilly, Normandy. Known as the "Pear Cider Capital," Mantilly hosts this bucolic event during the peak of the flowering season, leading runners through the scenic orchards of the Domfrontais bocage. The course offers a authentic rural experience, crossing from Mantilly towards Passais Villages and passing historical landmarks like the Devil’s Table Dolmen.

Course Features and Local Heritage

The 10.2 km loop consists of small countryside roads with a notable passage near the Dolmen de la Table au Diable at kilometer 5. A central refreshment station is provided at the 6th kilometer by the Chapelles de l'Oratoire. The event is celebrated for its generous local awards: every finisher of the main race receives a bottle of Poiré (Pear Cider) and a jar of local jam. Children are rewarded with a medal and a bottle of fruit juice. The course is officially timed, with the current record standing at 33:15, set by Guillaume Bunodière in 2025.

Registration and Health Regulations

Online registration is available via normandiecourseapied.com. In accordance with French regulations effective since January 2026, adult non-licensed participants must provide a Pass Prévention Santé (PPS) certificate from the FFA website. Minor participants must provide a parental authorization and complete a specific health questionnaire. While online registration is encouraged for a reduced rate, on-site registration is available at the Mantilly Town Hall starting at 8:30 AM on race morning.

Event Schedule and Rewards

The morning concludes with an awards ceremony starting at 11:00 AM for children and 11:30 AM for the main race. Trophies are awarded to the top three overall male and female finishers, as well as winners of each age category. Additionally, a bib-based raffle features "terroir" baskets filled with local products from the Normandy-Maine Regional Natural Park. The event is strictly pedestrian, with personal bicycle or rollerblade assistance prohibited on the course.