Ferney Trail (Marathon & Trail Races) - 2025

Ferney Trail 2025 returns to Mauritius’ south‑east with a full day of wild, scenic racing on Saturday, 13 September 2025, featuring four distances through La Vallée de Ferney and neighboring estates: 35 km, 18 km, 10 km, and a 5 km Fun Run for kids and families. Start times run from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., with a capped field of 2,850 participants and registrations handled online through the official Ferney platform. The event anchors the island’s late‑season trail calendar with rugged climbs, lagoon views, and a festival finish at the reserve gate.

Date, place, and schedule

• Date: Saturday, 13 September 2025.
• Venue: La Vallée de Ferney Nature Reserve and the Ferney estates, south‑east Mauritius.
• Starts and caps:
• 35 km: Start zone opens 5:30; start 6:00; cap 150.
• 18 km: Start zone opens 6:00; start 6:30; cap 600.
• 10 km: Start zone opens 7:00; start 8:00; cap 1,500.
• 5 km Fun Run: Start zone opens 8:30; start 9:30; cap 600.
• Total capacity across races is 2,850, with first come, first served admission once entries are complete and paid.

Distances, elevation, and age limits

• C‑Care 35 km: 1,500 m D+; technical, steep terrain for experienced runners; 18+ only; counts for the “long” League Trail of Association Rando Trail & Nature.
• Bank One 18 km: 600 m D+; minimum age 16; part of the “long” League Trail.
• CIEL 10 km: 400 m D+; minimum age 12; part of the “short” League Trail; panoramic lagoon sections and reserve descents.
• SunLife 5 km Fun Run: 54 m gain; for ages 6–13 with timing for kids and optional adult accompaniment; adults may run untimed.

Entry fees and registration

• Public rates: Rs 550 (5 km), Rs 950 (10 km), Rs 1,300 (18 km), Rs 1,500 (35 km).
• CIEL companies staff rates: Rs 450 / 850 / 1,100 / 1,200 respectively.
• How to enter: Online via ferney.mu with secure payment; incomplete entries sit on a waiting list until all documents and payment are received.
• Refunds: 80 percent refund available for cancellations received by 1 August 2025 via posted request; no refunds from 1 August onward; bib transfers and resale are not allowed.

Categories and awards

Age categories follow national standards, with rankings for men and women overall and by age group (Junior, Senior, Veteran 1–4) across the 10 km, 18 km, and 35 km; children’s categories apply to the 5 km. Awards go to the top three male and female finishers in each race. Minors must provide parental authorization.

Timing, bibs, and rules

Chip timing is provided for timed events; runners must wear the bib front and the chip as supplied. Poles with metal tips are prohibited. Littering and degradation of the reserve are penalized and can lead to disqualification under the event’s environmental protection rules.

What makes Ferney special

Ferney’s routes traverse native forest, ridgelines, and estate tracks with vivid contrasts: shady singletrack, open hill crests, and glimpses of the south‑east lagoon. The 35 km’s 1,500 m vertical makes it one of Mauritius’ benchmark tests, while the 10 km delivers accessible climbing and big views for newer trail runners. Organizers emphasize the race’s nature‑first ethos, putting conservation at the center of on‑course behavior and waste management.

How it fits the trail calendar

Ferney Trail is a flagship of the Mauritius trail season between the island’s winter classics and October events, and it remains part of the Rando‑Trail & Nature league structure. Independent race calendars list 13 September 2025 in L’Étoile/Ferney with the four official distances, aligning with the event PDF and website announcements.

Race‑day logistics

• Access: The reserve entrance checkpoints open well before the first start; allow time for bib control and kit check.
• Aid stations: Strategically placed checkpoints and refreshment points support each distance; consult the runner guide released closer to race day for exact locations and cutoffs.
• Finish area: A family‑friendly festival welcome awaits at the reserve gate with partner booths and recovery amenities, reflecting Ferney’s community orientation.

Training notes by distance

• 35 km: Prepare for sustained climbs and heat; simulate long uphill intervals and downhill technicals; aim for 1,200–1,800 m weekly vertical in the final build and practice fueling every 30–40 minutes.
• 18 km: Blend threshold climbs with steady descents; plan two gel or solid fuel hits and electrolyte intake given the humidity.
• 10 km: Expect 400 m D+; rehearse hill repeats and tempo off‑road; one small bottle or soft flask may be sufficient if aid is regular.
• 5 km: Keep it fun; for kids, short hill jogs and trail walks build confidence; adults accompanying children should manage pace for smiles at the finish.

Travel and stay

• Getting there: Ferney lies near Mahébourg and the south‑east lagoon. From the M1, connect to the east coast road toward Vieux Grand Port; event signage and marshals guide last‑mile parking.
• Where to stay: Mahébourg guesthouses and southern coast resorts offer easy pre‑dawn transfers; book early as south‑east accommodations are popular on race weekend.
• What to pack: Trail shoes with grip, soft flasks or bottles, on‑course nutrition, cap and sunscreen, light shell for wind on ridges, and a small waste bag to carry wrappers to the next bin in line with the reserve’s zero‑litter policy.

Family and supporters

The 5 km Fun Run and the accessible finish village make Ferney a family day out. Spectators can position near accessible points approved by organizers, avoiding sensitive habitat. The finish area food and brand activations provide shade and services while waiting for runners across the four start blocks.

Responsible racing

Ferney is a nature reserve first. Runners should:

• Stay on marked trails and respect all marshals.
• Carry and dispose of waste only in bins at aid or finish.
• Yield courteously on narrow singletrack.
• Keep noise low near wildlife zones and follow all instruction on protected areas.
• Environmental infractions can trigger penalties and disqualification under Article 12 of the regulations.

Key dates and actions

• Registration opening: 18 April 2025.
• Cancellation deadline for partial refund: 1 August 2025.
• Race day: Saturday, 13 September 2025, first start 6:00 a.m.

Verified details at a glance

• Event: CIEL Ferney Trail 2025.
• Date: 13 September 2025.
• Distances: 35 km (1,500 D+), 18 km (600 D+), 10 km (400 D+), 5 km Fun Run (54 m).
• Starts: 35 km 6:00; 18 km 6:30; 10 km 8:00; 5 km 9:30.
• Caps: 150 / 600 / 1,500 / 600 (total 2,850).
• Fees (public): Rs 1,500 / 1,300 / 950 / 550.
• Registration: Online at ferney.mu; first complete entries admitted; chip timing and bib required; poles with metal tips banned; strict no‑litter policy.

Ready to test legs on Mauritius’ most evocative trails. Choose a distance, secure a bib before caps fill, and build a weekend in the south‑east around La Vallée de Ferney’s forests and lagoon views. Train smart for the climbs, pack light and respectful, and line up at first light on 13 September to experience why Ferney Trail is the island’s September rite of passage.