The Grand Raid des Pyrenees (GRP) takes place on August 20-24, 2025, in Vielle-Aure, France, with 7,850 runners set to take part across seven races.
The ultra-running event is regarded as one of the leading trail running fixtures on the French calendar. The organisers note that the GRP offers challenging courses in the Pyrenees with distances from 40km to 160km and elevation ranging from 2,400m to 10,000m.
Since its first edition in 2008, the event has grown steadily, supported by more than 800 volunteers and strong involvement from surrounding villages.
The Ultra 160 – 160 km, +9,800 m
The flagship race is the Ultra 160, a single-loop course with a high point at 2,502m and a low of 498m. The route passes through recognised Pyrenean landmarks such as the Tourmalet, Barèges and the Pic du Midi.
Tour du Néouvielle – 43 km, +2,400 m
The Tour du Néouvielle is part of the Short Series by World Trail Majors and provides a ‘compact’ format for GRP with a maximum altitude of 2,495m. The race showcases lakes, mountain passes, technical sections and steep climbs typical of the Pyrenees.
Event hub in Vielle-Aure
Vielle-Aure, which has a population of just 304, hosts the event headquarters and manages an influx of more than 10,000 people. The event programme includes children’s races, relay formats, and a joëlette category for athletes with reduced mobility.
Background
The GRP began in 2008 with two races and 420 participants. By 2010, the 160km course was introduced, with participation levels tripling. Today the event continues to expand its footprint while maintaining its reputation for technical trails, steep climbs and a demanding profile that typically sees winning times of 24–25 hours for men and 30–32 hours for women.
