4e RE: 2026 Foreign Legion Half Marathon | French Foreign Legion Information

On Saturday, October 3, 2026, the 48th edition of the Foreign Legion Half Marathon (Semi-Marathon de la Légion Étrangère) took place in Castelnaudary, a town in southern France. As every year, the race was organized by the 4th Foreign Regiment (4e RE), the training school of the French Foreign Legion.

This year’s event carried special significance. Billed as the “Fiftieth Anniversary Half Marathon,” it marked fifty years since the regiment moved to Castelnaudary. The race brought together all Legion regiments stationed in mainland France and Corsica.

Runners could choose from three distances: the half marathon (21.3 km / 13.2 mi), a 10K race (6.2 mi), and a 1.25 km (0.8 mi) fun run for children. The courses wound through the town and along the Canal du Midi, a historic 17th-century waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. Legionnaires, non-Legion military personnel, and civilians competed side by side.

More than 900 runners took part in the half marathon, among them General Passerat de La Chapelle, Commander of the French Foreign Legion, and Colonel Delhumeau, commander of the 4e RE. Both senior officers ran the full distance alongside their legionnaires.

Sergeant Mwangi of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (2e REI) won the half marathon in 1:13:19. His regiment had a strong showing overall, with three of its runners finishing in the top four.

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