Address :
Parc des Expos de la Gare40 Bis Rue du Onze Novembre 1918, 85500 Les Herbiers
On this page you'll find all the information you need to get to the event. - You will find the same information in the Road-book to be published at the beginning of December.
IMPORTANT :
Saturday 20 December, all streets will be open
On Sunday 21 December, some streets will be closed to traffic. We ask you to scrupulously respect the traffic plans below.
The map shows all the key locations for Father Christmas Races 2025.
THE PARK DES EXPOSITIONS
Number bibs will be collected at the Parc des Expositions:
♦Saturday 20 December from 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm
♦ Sunday 21 December from 7.00 am
♦ Proof of identity will be required. Runners who are unable to collect their race number may be represented by another person, provided that this person shows proof of identity.
♦ To make it easier to collect race numbers and avoid mistakes, we strongly recommend that you also present the race number collection card. This card is available in the runners' area and can be presented in paper format or on a smartphone.
♦ There will be no bag checks for 133 Km runners - individual or relay - but a signed undertaking from each participant to carry all the compulsory equipment at all times, the list of which is specified in the regulations. Checks will be carried out during the race.
♦ The catering service will be open on Sunday from 12:00 to 21:00. It will be possible to buy meal tickets on site depending on the capacity available in the kitchen.
♦ Grills and chips will be available all afternoon.
♦ Payment can be made on site by credit card.
♦ Toilets and 4 showers on site. Shuttles will be provided between 10.30am and 1.30pm to take runners to the Demoiselle changing room.
♦ Bag instructions for runners in all races.
♦O pportunity for HOT runners to rest in a quiet, heated room.
COME AT SANTA CLAUS RACES
There will be no traffic restrictions in the area around the Parc Expo.
Only theHôtel de Ville and Jardins de Coria areas (see map at the start of the HOT) will be closed to traffic between 6.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.
All roads and streets will remain open to traffic.
The city centre will be congested, with some streets closed or restricted to local residents.
Access to the Parc Expo will be mainly from the ZI de La Guerche (Rue de l'industrie and Rue de la Guerche):
From the ring road (Pouzauges / Les Epesses) the Rue Nationale towards the town centre will be blocked on Sunday morning. Follow the signs for La Roche/Yon / A87 then Avenue de l'Aurore and turn right onto Rue de l'Industrie.
From the ring road (La Roche/Yon / Cholet) follow signs for Pouzauges / Puy du Fou. At the Clémenceau roundabout (Citroën garage on your right), turn left onto Avenue Clémenceau and then right onto Rue de la Guerche.
ATTENTION, On Sunday, the Rue de la Guerche will be closed in the vicinity of the Parc Expo. The only possible access will be from the ring road via the ZI de la Guerche - Parkings Px .
Several car parks will be available, but please note that the car parks close to the Parc Expo will be reserved:
P1 and P3: reserved for runners in the 133 Individual who will be able to park there as soon as they arrive on site, and pick up their vehicle at the finish of their race.
P2: reserved for relay runners 2 and 3, who will park their vehicles in this car park to catch the shuttle bus that will take them to and from their starting point. The first runner must park in the Zone de la Guerche.
P4 and P5: Open to the public on Saturday for the collection of race numbers, and on Sunday for volunteers only.
P6: Reserved for shuttle buses, service providers and some volunteers.
P7: Camper van parking - around 20 spaces available.
Px: The car parks located in the Zone de la Guerche are completely free; access to the Park will be via the link indicated in green - allow approximately 5 minutes.
For the well-being of all and to facilitate the work of the organisers, we ask you to respect these instructions.
START OF THE HOT - 133 Km and relay - route to follow
The start will be on Saturday 20 December at 7.00 pm from Place de la Mairie in the centre of Les Herbiers. Approximately 500m on foot from the exhibition centre.
♦ HOT runners (individuals and relays) will be able to wait from 3.30pm in the Salle d'Herbauges located 200m from the start (heated room with a few drinks and floor mats to lie on).
♦ The pre-race briefing will be held at 6.15pm in the Salle d'Herbauges. ALL HOT RUNNERS and the first relay runners must be present at the briefing.
♦ The car parks Place d'Herbauges, Place de Liebertwolkwitz and Place des Droits de l'Homme are located just a few metres from the start. We invite you to park in these car parks to enjoy the Christmas market and entertainment before the start.
The runners will first complete a 1500m loop through the town to the Parc du Landreau, before setting off towards the heights of Les Herbiers in the dark of night!
Starting from Place de la Mairie, runners will follow the elves and Father Christmas on his sleigh along Rue du Tourniquet for the first 200 metres.
The runners will then be released by Saint-Pierre church and will turn left onto rue de l'église, then left onto Grand rue, Rue de Saumur, then rue du Champ de Foire, and Grande Rue Saint- Blaise.
On the opposite side of the road, runners will continue on Rue du Tourniquet to enter the Jardins de Coria and enjoy a final swim in the crowds.
From the Jardins de Coria, turn right onto Rue Nationale, then left at Crédit Agricole and straight on to the entrance to Parc du Landreau.
The second and third relay runners are invited to start with their team-mates to enjoy the "start" atmosphere. (To be admitted to the start locker, they must be in uniform - with or without their equipment - and carry their number).
