Les Courses du Taennchel

The 36th Courses du Taennchel is a flagship trail running and nordic walking event in the Alsace region of France, organized by the Association Sportive Ribeauvillé Athléroute (ASRA). Scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 2026, the event starts in the historic town of Ribeauvillé and ascends into the Taennchel massif. The courses are known for their technical descents, significant elevation, and passage through the legendary ruins of the three Ribeaupierre castles.

Event Logistics and Participant Information:

• -- The Main Courses: The 33 km Trail du Taennchel is the most demanding, featuring a technical loop near the "Rocher des Géants" and a high point at the Peace of Udine Rock (900m). It includes strict time barriers at Croix de Ribeauvillé (12:00 PM) and Spinnplatz (2:30 PM).
• -- The Castle Loop: All competitive races except the 6km Discovery Trail descend through the ruins of the three castles: Haut-Ribeaupierre, Saint-Ulrich, and Giersberg. These sections offer panoramic views of the Rhine plain and, on clear days, the Alps.
• -- Venue & Parking: The race village is located at the Jardin de Ville in Ribeauvillé. A dedicated 100-space parking lot is reserved for runners until 3:00 PM.
• -- Registration Requirements: Participants must provide either a valid FFA license or a Health Prevention Course (PPS) certificate dated after March 1, 2025. Online registration is available until May 30, with tiered pricing based on the date of entry.
• -- Kit & Rewards: All finishers receive local rewards, such as apple juice or local beer (sized based on the distance completed) and technical running gear like a neck gaiter or running belt.
• -- Post-Race Amenities: Showers and changing rooms are provided, alongside a refreshment area serving traditional Alsatian "tartes flambées" and grilled specialties.

Regional Context and Environment:

• -- Location: Ribeauvillé is a medieval town on the Route des Vins d'Alsace. The Taennchel massif is a protected biological reserve characterized by sandstone rock formations and dense pine forests.
• -- Terrain: The course is a mix of historic cobbled town streets, steep "single-track" forest paths, and rolling vineyard trails through the Grand Cru Osterberg.
• -- Environment: Runners traverse a "quiet zone" in the Taennchel forest. The organization emphasizes an "Eco-responsible" approach, encouraging carpooling and respecting the silence of the nature reserve.
• -- Climate: Late May in the Vosges foothills is typically mild, but the 1,480m total elevation of the long trail means temperatures can drop significantly in the shaded forest flanks compared to the exposed vineyards.

The Courses du Taennchel 2026 offers a perfect synthesis of heritage and athletics, challenging runners to master the verticality of the Vosges while running through the history of the Ribeaupierre dynasty.