Off-stadium race: The Trail du Lac de Neufont is added to the calendar

Things are happening in Neufont. Since 2021, the Grand Périgueux region has been working hard to rehabilitate this must-see site in the Dordogne. With the completion of the lake's reception building, as well as the recent revival of the open-air café, the place is gradually becoming very popular. All that's missing, finally, is a trail to attract even more people!

An idea that germinated in the minds of the director of the Grand Périgueux tourist office and Samuel Duval, president of the Dordogne Athlé athletics club. "They had already run trails in this location to see what it could be like, and I told him it would be great if a club could oversee it all to have a real event," says Samuel Duval. The project was thus approved.

Very accessible and touristy

There were four or five of them scouting the locations and choosing the routes. And the least we can say is that the organizers have designed a very accessible route (300 m of elevation gain in 19 kilometers). "It should attract a lot of people, because there are no particular difficulties," estimates Samuel Duval. "Anyone can sign up, there are no impossible things to do," continues the organizer. The 9-kilometer run includes some sections of the long route, while the hike, also 9 kilometers, follows the short route.

But above all, what the organizers want is for the participants, who currently number around 80, to enjoy running around a very well-appointed area. "Honestly, I haven't been back to Neufont for a few years, and I have to say it's an idyllic setting for a trail run," smiles Samuel Duval. "I'm thinking that those who have run will be able to stay by the lake afterwards, eat at the open-air café. The site is very nice," continues the organizer.

Speaking of the guinguette, a menu has been created for the trail runners with melon, sausage, merguez, bacon, fries, apple pie and coffee, just to keep them going after running 19 and 9 kilometers.

The Lac de Neufont Trail is now hoping to attract more people, as the race wasn't on the calendar at the beginning of the year. It's been added, and for months, organizers have been working hard to make sure everything is perfect. But Samuel Duval knows full well that on July 6th, and for a first edition, thousands of people shouldn't be expected. "We're counting on 300 at the start, and we're thinking it won't be bad!"

Practical information

So if you too would like to register, you can do so on the Kligego website and on site on the day itself. It costs 18 euros for the 19-kilometer run, 10 euros for the 9-kilometer run, and 8 euros for the hike. Two refreshment stations are planned for the 19-kilometer run and one for the 9-kilometer run, with a snack upon arrival. Departures are at 9:15 a.m. for the long run, 10 a.m. for the 9-kilometer run, and 10:05 a.m. for the hike. Race numbers can be collected that morning from the Lac de Neufont car park in Saint-Amand-de-Vergt. For more information, please contact Samuel Duval at +33 6 80 52 56 19 or the Grand Périgueux Tourist Office at +33 53 53 10 63.