The race departs from the village of St Aventin, positioned half way up the Col de Peyresourde and climbs most of the 16.5km to the finish line at Lac d'Oô at an altitude of 1,506m.

The weather was perfect in the mountains of my penultimate race of the year (to complete the Midi-Pyrenees cup series). My preparation was not ideal, one week hiking the "Carros de Foc" (about 70km at an average altitude of 2,500m), followed by a cold, and then it was time for a few specifically hard sessions before taper training for Trophee de Lac d'Oô!
 
On the morning, I had a good start and moments later on the first hill, I sprinted to lead the race. I maintained this position for the first quarter, splitting up the field of competitors to leave only five of us in the front group. Before the descent to the village of Oô positions changed in the peloton with Rémi Laffont, Emmanuel Cibat and Nicolas Bonnieu sharing the workload on the front.

Celebrating the centenary of the Pyrenees in the Tour de France, the Etape du Tour route includes some of the first Pyrenean climbs to feature in Tour history. Departing from Pau on 18th July, the riders will climb the Col de Marie-Blanque and Col du Soulor before finishing at the summit of the most famous mountain in Tour history, the Col du Tourmalet.

In the 1910 Stage, Octave Lapize (the eventual winner of the Tour) reached the top of the Tourmalet first, followed by Gustave Garrigou. Garrigou was the only cyclist to reach the top without dismounting and received an extra 100 francs.

www.letapedutour.com/

Take part in the second edition of this challenging 50km trail run amidst the wild and beautiful mountain landscapes of the Barousse, Neste and Louron valleys - a paradise for any fell runner. The race starts 4km from us at Mauleon Barousse and finishes at the lakeside of Lac Genos.

Enter the race as an individual or a team of two or three. With 3,800m of ascending, including 10 summits or mountain passes above 2,000m, the course follows a mix of forest trails, open mountain tracks and ridge paths across varied terrain.

Split into three stages, with two refreshment points, it is possible to complete the race either as an individual or a relay team.

Stage 1: Mauleon Barousse to Nistos 15.5km, 1,725m climbing, 700m descending

Departing from Maison des Sources, runners are immediately faced with a short, but steep climb to the village of Ourde. Continuing to climb through open mountainside and forest, runners reach the first col.

Climbing steadily along the ridge, the conical peak of Pic de Douly is reached. A small descent to the next col is rewarded with another climb to the final peak and highest point of this stage, Pic de Mont Aspet (1,849m). It is then downhill to the first feed station at the xc-ski station of Nistos.

Stage 2: Nistos to Port de Pierrefitte 13.2km, 1,250m climbing, 945m descending

Although stage 2 is the shortest stage, it is very challenging and includes 4 summits or cols over 2,000m together with the highest point of the race, Mont Ne (2,147m). Running through mountain pastureland, the trail climbs steadily to the picturesque Col de l'Aouet.

Taking a more technical and rocky path, runners conquer the first 2,000m peak of Montagne d'Areng. Following a ridge track, two other 2,000m summits are passed before the steep final climb of the stage to Mont Ne.

From here, there are superb 360 degree views of the Barousse, Neste and Louron valleys. A steep descent leads to the second feed station at the stone circle of Port de Pierrefitte.

Stage 3: Port de Pierrefitte to Lac Genos 18.3km, 980m climbing, 1,880m descending

The stage starts by following a beautiful single track down to the stunning Lac Borderes. A gradual climb on a grassy track through ferns leads to the Col du Lion. After a short, sharp climb, runners reach the Pic du Lion where you can take a last look at Lac Borderes before a gradual descent to the Col de Louron.

There is a short climb to pick up a ridge path before a long descent to the finish at the lakeside of Lac Genos.

Further information can be found on the Trail des Hautes Pyrenees website.

The fifth edition of this challenging Ultra distance event passes through some of the most beautiful and spectacular wilder reaches of the central Pyrenees. There is the choice of two courses for individuals: the Ultra and the Grand Trail. New for 2012 is a 240km Raid for teams of three or four runners. All trails start and finish at Vielle Aure which is a 50km drive from our base.

The Ultra Trail is 160km with 10,000m of ascending including 6 mountain passes above 2,300m. The majority of the fairly technical course follows the popular GR10 walking route. Leaving Vielle Aure at 5am on 24th August, runners will soon be ascending the first col and following the GR10 walking trail through the beautiful Bastan valley to Artigues.

From here, runners will head towards Pic du Midi, before taking a track to pass Lac d’Onset and the picturesque Lac Bleu before reaching the ski station of Hautacam, a stage finish in the 2008 Tour de France. Following a 13km descent to Pierrefitte, there is a stiff climb to the summit of Cabaliros (2,334m) where 360 degree views abound and then a steep downhill to Cauterets. Re-joining the GR10, runners pass the ski resort of Luz-Ardiden before descending to the town of Luz-St-Sauveur.

Turning in the direction of the col du Tourmalet, runners start a long climb, passing many beautiful lakes before attaining the Hourquette d’Aubert (2,498m). From this saddle, there are far-reaching views into the Reserve Naturelle de Neouvielle of glistening mountain lakes and tarns, amidst a backdrop of granite peaks which give the area its beauty and charm. Descending to Lac d’Aumar, runners then re-join the GR10 back to the finish at Vielle Aure.

There is a cut-off time of 50 hours. Entry limit is 850 and cost is €120. Entries open 12th January and close 30th June unless race limit is reached beforehand.

The Grand Trail is 80km with 5,000m of ascending, including 3 mountain passes above 2,300m. Starting at Vielle Aure at 5am on 25th August, the Grand Trail follows the same the route as the Ultra Trail until Lac d’Oncet. From here, runners will head down towards Super Bareges to rejoin the Ultra Trail route back through the Reserve Naturelle de Neouvielle to the finish at Vielle Aure.

There is a cut-off time of 25 hours. Entry limit is 850 and cost is €80. Entries open 12th January and close 30th June unless race limit is reached beforehand.

It is compulsory to carry at least 1.5 litres of water, two lamps with spare batteries, survival blanket, waterproofs and food reserves for either race.

The Raid is 240km with 15,000m of ascending. The Raid is open to teams of three or four runners - the team captain must have completed three or more mountain races of 150km or longer. This course is unmarked. The first-leg runners leave Vielle Aure at 9am on 22nd August. Entry is limited to 30 teams.

Further information can be found on the Grand Raid Pyrenees race website.