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Trail National Côte d'Opale
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Wimereux

Trail National Côte d'Opale

Saturday, 11 September 2027

Ultra 90K

90km D+ 950m

Trail 62K

62km ≈D+ 650m

Marathon 42K

42km ≈D+ 450m

Trail 25K

25km ≈D+ 250m

Trail 18K

18km ≈D+ 150m

See the gear
Trail National Côte d'Opale 2027 registration: dates not announced yetSee recommended gear

Your checklist for Trail National Côte d'Opale

What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.

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  1. GPS watch

    Garmin Forerunner 570

    Full-color topo maps, a first for the Forerunner line

    Downside: Shorter battery life than a Forerunner 965 with maps on

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

  2. Gear

    Windproof jacket essential: the headlands are constantly windy

    Hoka Speedgoat 7

    Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances

    Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
    See 7 alternatives Which shoe suits you best? Shoe finder

  3. Nutrition

    Set a 40-minute eating alarm on your watch

    Maurten Gel 100

    Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance

    Downside: High price compared to other gels

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
    See 7 alternatives

  4. Sun Protection

    Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations

    ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+

    Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin

    Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
    See 7 alternatives

  5. Body Care

    Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet

    Julbo Aerospeed

    Photochromic lenses: adapt from forest to summits

    Downside: Higher price compared to non-photochromic glasses

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
    See 7 alternatives

  6. Car Rental

    Book in advance and check the mileage policy

    DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus

    View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)
    See 3 alternatives

  7. Trip logistics

    Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.

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Race data

Terrain

Trail

Difficulty

Advanced

Distance

5 modalities

Visit official website(opens in a new tab)

  • Ultra 90K

    Distance
    90 km
    Elevation Gain
    D+ 950m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 62K

    Distance
    62 km
    Elevation Gain
    ≈D+ 650m
    Max Time
    -

  • Marathon 42K

    Distance
    42 km
    Elevation Gain
    ≈D+ 450m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 25K

    Distance
    25 km
    Elevation Gain
    ≈D+ 250m
    Max Time
    -

  • Trail 18K

    Distance
    18 km
    Elevation Gain
    ≈D+ 150m
    Max Time
    -
Will your watch battery last the ~14 h of Trail National Côte d'Opale?Worked out for the longest course (90 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch

Gear up for Trail National Côte d'Opale

Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.

Swipe to see all 4 comparisons

What the Trail National Côte d’Opale is

The Trail National Côte d’Opale is northern France’s big trail event and the only race crossing both emblematic Channel headlands: Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez. The flagship ultra is around 90 km with barely 950 m of climbing, a figure that misleads: the rival here is not gradient but slippery chalk, sand and relentless wind.

An ultra you suffer walking

The race is fast on paper and slow in reality. The cliff path rises and falls in short ramps, with wooden steps, grassy sections and beaches crossed at sea level. In September the weather can be bright or deliver sideways rain, and the wind chill changes at every headland.

An easy destination from Spain and northern Europe

The Côte d’Opale is reachable: two and a half hours from Paris, five from Spain by road, and direct from the UK by ferry and Channel Tunnel. That makes it ideal for a long weekend combining race and tourism: Wimereux, Boulogne-sur-Mer, the coastal villas and Pas-de-Calais food.

The full pack

Light gear, windproof, grippy shoes and tall socks. To link more races in the north, check the regional race calendar and sort travel and accommodation with the planner.

360Complete Pack

Entry to the Côte d'Opale

Registration

An event with several thousand participants across all distances. Registration opens early in the year and the 90 km ultra fills before the rest.

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Tips

  • •Medical certificate mandatory for any distance in France
  • •The 90 km requires proven previous experience
  • •Use the shorter distances for companions
  • •Check start times: long races leave before dawn

Where to sleep on the Côte d'Opale

Accommodation

Wimereux is a seaside town with small hotels that sell out. Boulogne-sur-Mer, five minutes away, has far more capacity.

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Tips

  • •Boulogne-sur-Mer: more rooms and reasonable prices
  • •Wimereux centre: maximum convenience for start and finish
  • •Campsites and inland cottages: the cheap option
  • •Book in spring: summer fills with holidaymakers

Gear for cliffs and wind

Gear

The Côte d'Opale means wind, humidity and chalk. You can get 22 degrees in sun and 12 in Channel wind within the same hour. Gear must be light and windproof.

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Tips

  • •Windproof jacket essential: the headlands are constantly windy
  • •Shoe with lateral support: chalk is slippery on descents
  • •Tall socks for sand and coastal scrub
  • •Cap and glasses: no shade in the final kilometres
Hoka Speedgoat 7

Which shoes for Trail National Côte d'Opale?

Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather

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Garmin Forerunner 570

Which GPS watch for Trail National Côte d'Opale?

Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time

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🎒

Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide

Best trail running hydration vests 2026: 12 vests and packs compared. How many litres you need by distance, soft flasks vs reservoir, and fit.

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Strength Training Gear for Trail Running at Home 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide

Comparison of the best strength training gear for trail runners at home: dumbbells, resistance bands, kettlebell, TRX, weight bench and foam roller, with a 3-day-a-week routine.

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Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison

The best GPS watches with offline maps in 2026, ranked by value: Amazfit T-Rex 3, Suunto Race 2, Garmin Forerunner 570, Instinct 3 AMOLED, Coros Apex 2 Pro, Suunto Vertical 2 and Garmin Fenix 8. Maps vs breadcrumbs, the cheapest watch with maps and which to choose for your use.

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Eating on a flat ultra

Nutrition

With no big climbs, the risk is forgetting to eat because you are moving fast. Côte d'Opale aid stations are frequent and well stocked, with savoury options.

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Tips

  • •Set a 40-minute eating alarm on your watch
  • •Use the soups at the afternoon aid stations
  • •Electrolytes: wind and humidity cost more than you think
  • •Carry gels for the exposed stretches between headlands
🍫

Best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running 2026

A comparison of the 7 best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running and trail 2026: 226ERS Sub9 Salts, Crown Pro Salt Caps, Victory Endurance, Precision Hydration PH 1500 and more. How many salt tablets to take per hour, how to calculate your sweat rate and which format to choose.

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Getting to Wimereux

Transport

Wimereux is 5 km from Boulogne-sur-Mer and 30 from Calais, with quick access from the Channel Tunnel. By rail, Boulogne-Ville connects with Lille and Paris.

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Tips

  • •Ferry from Dover to Calais is easy from the UK
  • •Channel Tunnel: the French exit is 30 minutes away
  • •From Spain: drive via Paris, or fly to Lille and drive 90 minutes
  • •Park at the beach car parks: they fill on Saturday morning

Car rental for Côte d'Opale

Car Rental

A car makes it easier to reach the start and get around before and after the race.

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Tips

  • •Book in advance and check the mileage policy
  • •Useful if your accommodation is far from the start

Sports insurance for Côte d'Opale

Insurance

Cover your participation with insurance that includes medical assistance and mountain rescue.

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Tips

  • •Check that it covers the race format and elevation gain
  • •Review rescue cover if the race is in the mountains

Sun protection for Côte d'Opale

Sun Protection

Sun exposure takes its toll on long races, especially on exposed sections and at midday.

Browse all sun protection

Tips

  • •Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
  • •Protect lips, ears and neck
🧴

Best Sunscreen for Runners 2026: 7 Sweat-Proof SPF 50 Picks

Which sunscreen survives a sweaty long run? We compared 7 SPF 50 sweat-proof picks — creams, sticks and a lip balm — on heat, altitude UV and sweat resistance. See the winner.

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Body care for Côte d'Opale

Body Care

Kilometres and descents punish feet and skin: anti-chafe balm and blister patches prevent DNFs.

Browse all body care

Tips

  • •Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
  • •Blister patches in your pocket

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Trail National Côte d'Opale held?
On the Pas-de-Calais coast between Wimereux, Boulogne-sur-Mer, Cap Gris-Nez and Cap Blanc-Nez. The main start is in Wimereux and the route follows the cliff path.
Is it hard with so little climbing?
Climbing is low (around 950 m over 90 km), but the ground does not forgive: sand, slippery chalk, staircases and near-constant headwind. It is a race of consistency rather than strength.
When should I book accommodation?
In spring. Wimereux and Boulogne-sur-Mer are French coast weekend destinations and the event mobilises several thousand people. There is more supply in Boulogne-sur-Mer and in inland villages.

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