“A cool place where you can actually run”: when timing replaces planes at the Tarmac Race

Signing up for a 5K or 10K on an airport runway is the kind of idea that intrigues as much as it attracts. On June 13, the Tarmac Race will turn that concept into reality in Valence-Chabeuil, in southeastern France. A raw setting, a clean line, and a promise that doesn’t try to overdo things.

The project is rooted on the tarmac of Valence-Chabeuil Airport, a usually inaccessible space where every metre is designed for something other than running. And yet, that’s exactly what makes it compelling. Anthony Aleixandri doesn’t dress the idea up. “We wanted a distinctive location,” explains the co-founder of the Reload association and organiser of the Tarmac Race, before adding almost immediately, “but above all, a place where you can actually run.”

Behind the simplicity lies a clear philosophy. No artificial scenery, no entertainment masking emptiness. “Sometimes activations are a bit too much,” he admits. The venue speaks for itself. The tarmac naturally imposes a form of restraint, avoiding any gimmick effect.

Two distances structure the event: a 5K, capped at 500 runners, and a more competitive 10K with 1,000 spots (around 200 bibs remain). “The 5K is still the most inclusive format,” says Aleixandri, based on his experience in the field. The 10K, meanwhile, follows a different logic: “Today, the 10K is the benchmark distance when people talk about performance.” Two formats, two entry points—no confusion, no diluted message.

| A runway designed to push you to the limit

The course doesn’t aim to surprise. It embraces purity. Entirely laid out on the runway and taxiways, it unfolds in wide loops with no sharp turns or rhythm-breaking sections. “You can see far, you roll, you hold your pace,” says Aleixandri, who comes from a sales background. The phrase fits the terrain perfectly. On the 5K, one small loop and one larger loop follow each other. On the 10K, an extra lap reinforces consistency. Nothing interrupts the mechanics. No shelter, no tricky surges. Just a line—and what each runner can put into it.

“The course is designed for performance!” says Aleixandri without hesitation. With one immediate nuance: “On a windless day, it’s perfect for a personal best. If there’s wind, it becomes complicated.” A simple truth that brings runners back to themselves. The race then shifts into another dimension.

Semi-night format, designed to follow the fading light rather than fight it. “At that time of year, running in full daylight becomes difficult,” explains the man behind an organising team of just five people. As the sun drops over the Vercors and Ardèche ranges, LED lighting takes over. The atmosphere changes smoothly, without disruption. A DJ, an announcer—but no excess. “I don’t want to go overboard,” he admits. The airport alone already creates a strong identity.

| Bastien Augusto and Raphaël Montoya announced as guest runners, with Alessia Zarbo expected to join the lineup.

Around the race, everything is designed to create a full experience. The village opens at 5 p.m., with food trucks, brewers, ice cream stands and meeting spaces. “We want a pre- and post-race experience,” Aleixandri insists. But behind the smooth setup, logistics remain demanding. Hosting a race on an active airport is a constant challenge. “It’s extremely complex,” he acknowledges—security, prefecture approvals, technical constraints. And one rule stands above all: “If there’s an organ transport or a fire emergency, the race comes second.” A reminder of what the venue really is.

Even on the runway, everything is tightly controlled. “We need to be able to clear everything in 20 minutes,” he explains. On the sporting side, a few names add depth to the field, including Bastien Augusto on the 10K and Raphaël Montoya on the 5K, with the possible addition of Alessia Zarbo. Profiles chosen with consistency in mind. “We wanted cool athletes,” says Aleixandri, staying true to the project’s spirit.

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Sponsors follow the same logic. Oakley leads the lineup, alongside HOKA, Maurten, Specialized and BMW. “We didn’t want everyone,” he explains. “We wanted premium brands aligned with the project.” In the end, the Tarmac Race doesn’t try to convince everyone. “I’m not sure I need to convince people,” says Aleixandri. A slightly countercultural approach: “If people want to come, they’ll come.”

On June 13, on the Valence-Chabeuil runway, no planes will actually take off. But between shifting light, straight-line speed and the strange feeling of belonging in a place not designed for it, some runners may leave with something beyond a finishing time. A rare impression. Almost suspended.

➜ All information about the Tarmac Race

Dorian VUILLET
Journalist