Semi-Marathon du Mont-Ventoux Kookabarra takes place on Sun, Jul 4, 2027 in Bédoin, France. The main route is 21.6 km.
- Date
- Sun, Jul 4, 2027
- Start
- Bédoin 🇫🇷
- Distance
- 21.6 km
- Climbing
- 1,610 m
- Level
- Open to all
Considered the hardest half marathon in Europe, the course features 21.6 km of continuous climbing from Bédoin with 1610 metres of elevation gain to the summit of Mont Ventoux.
Official event pageWhat this race demands
This race demands continuous climbing capacity over a 21.6 km ascent with 1610 metres of vertical gain, requiring exceptional sustained power and muscular durability.
Climbing volume
The course features 1610 metres of elevation gain packed into 21.6 km, demanding continuous uphill running capability without relief.
Muscular durability
Sustained steep gradients over a long-distance mountain climb place severe eccentric and concentric stress on the lower body.
A target intake of 60 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour should be maintained to support the extended duration of continuous climbing.
What would it take you?
Pick the level closest to yours for an estimate of finish time on this course and the training a solid preparation needs.
Estimated finish
3:20–4:00
Peak-week training
5–7 h/week
A model estimate from distance, climbing and level, not a promise. Conditions, drafting and pacing move it.
IntervalCoach turns those weekly hours into a concrete plan built around your actual fitness. Start with this race as your goal
Your road to race day
Race day at Semi-Marathon du Mont-Ventoux Kookabarra is 45 weeks away. This is how a coach divides that time. The first phase starts now.
01Base33 weeks · Aug 24, 2026 – Apr 11, 2027
Aerobic foundation: mostly steady endurance work that grows the aerobic engine and the durability the later phases stand on.
02Build6 weeks · Apr 12, 2027 – May 23, 2027
Progressive overload: training load climbs in waves, with harder weeks stacked on the base and planned recovery weeks that let the gains land.
03Peak3 weeks · May 24, 2027 – Jun 13, 2027
The hardest weeks of the plan: race-specific intensity at nearly full training load, sharpening exactly what this race asks for.
04Taper2 weeks · Jun 14, 2027 – Jun 27, 2027
Volume drops while intensity stays: short, sharp efforts keep the legs awake as fatigue drains away.
05Race week1 week · Jun 28, 2027 – Jul 4, 2027
Openers, rest and logistics. The work is done; the job now is arriving fresh.
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