Marathon de Chablis

The Marathon de Chablis, the most festive race in Burgundy

Born in 2019 under the impetus of the event company Idée Alpe, the Marathon de Chablis quickly established itself as one of the most original and friendly foot races in the Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions. From its very first edition, the event brought together 2,300 participants — including over 700 in the marathon alone — seduced by a simple and irresistible promise: to run in the heart of one of the world's most famous wine appellations, in a spirit of celebration and shared experience.

Since then, each edition has confirmed and amplified this success. The second edition, in 2021, returned to the vineyard paths with over 2,600 participants. In 2024, the 3,500 participant mark was surpassed. In 2025, over 4,000 already trod the Chablis vineyards. For the 7th edition scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026, organizers are expecting 4,500 participants.

Events for all levels

The Marathon de Chablis offers a complete range of events accessible to everyone:

• Marathon (42.195 km) — Start at 8:30 AM from the Patis sector in Chablis. Certified course with approximately 400 m of positive elevation gain, mixing 70% road and 30% vineyard paths. The marathon leaves Chablis, crossing the Grands Crus vineyards towards Fontenay-Près-Chablis, before heading back towards Poinchy, Beines, and La Chapelle-Vaupelteigne (mid-course, km 24). The return is via Villy, crossing the Serein river at Maligny, the Fourchaume vineyards, then the ascent of the famous Mur du Marathon (Marathon Wall) at the heights of Fyé, before the final descent to the finish at Le Patis. 12 aid stations positioned at km 3, 7, 11, 16, 20, 24, 29, 32, 36, 39, 41, and at the finish line.
• Half-Marathon (21.1 km) — Start at 11:00 AM from the Abbaye de Pontigny (shuttles from Chablis at 9:00-9:30 AM, €5, reservation required). Approximately 200 m elevation gain, 75% road, 25% paths. The course joins Villy, Maligny, the Fourchaume vineyards, then also faces the Mur du Marathon before the finish at Le Patis in Chablis. 7 aid stations.
• 14 km Race (formerly Trail de la Feuillette) — Start at 3:30 PM from the vineyards of Fleys (shuttles from Chablis at 2:00-2:30 PM, €5, reservation required). 14.5 km and approximately 200 m elevation gain through the hillsides to Chichée and the festive finish at Le Patis. 2 aid stations.
• Long Hike (19 km) — Start at 9:00 AM from Préhy, shuttle from Chablis at 7:45-8:00 AM (no reservation needed).
• Short Hike (11 km) — Start at 9:00 AM directly from Chablis.
• Children's Races — Starting at 3:30 PM in the Patis sector: 500 m, 1 km, and 1.5 km depending on age, free entry.

A unique festive and wine-growing atmosphere

What fundamentally distinguishes the Marathon de Chablis from classic races is its fully embraced festive and wine-growing soul. Participants are warmly encouraged to run in costume — and they go all out: grape costumes, wine bottle costumes, characters from all universes flood the vineyard roads. The atmosphere, described by organizers as "crazy and friendly," is one of the event's major hallmarks.

The aid stations are not to be outdone: some offer Chablis wine tastings to the runners, transforming each station into a wine stop as well as a sporting one. At the finish line, each participant receives a bottle of Chablis wine as a reward, and a wooden medal made in France completes the achievement of each finisher.

The day concludes in a general festive atmosphere at the Patis sector, with award ceremonies at 2:30 PM for the marathon and half-marathon, and at 5:30 PM for the 14 km race. A festive evening event is also organized, upon prior registration when entering the race.

A course through an exceptional vineyard

Chablis and its vineyard form a remarkably beautiful natural setting for a foot race. The Chablis region is one of France's most unique wine-growing areas: its Kimmeridgian marl-limestone hillsides, a legacy of a sea that disappeared 150 million years ago, give rise to dry white wines of incomparable minerality and purity, made exclusively from Chardonnay.

In late October, during the Marathon de Chablis, the vineyard dons its most flamboyant autumn colors: the rows of vines turn from green to golden yellow, copper, and auburn, offering runners a visual spectacle of rare intensity. The Seven Grands Crus — Blanchot, Bougros, Les Clos, Grenouilles, Preuses, Valmur, and Vaudésir — overlook the village and form one of the most beautiful sections of the marathon course. The vineyard paths allow for total immersion in this classified landscape, far from asphalt and urban areas.

The Patis sector, the start and finish point for all events, is a green space by the Serein river, in the very heart of the village of Chablis, ideally located to welcome runners, supporters, and families in a friendly setting.

Organization and participant services

The organization, managed by Idée Alpe, mobilizes some 500 volunteers on race day. Participants benefit from numerous services: bib collection the day before (Friday 3 PM-8 PM) or on the morning of the race, baggage check, changing rooms and restrooms, bus shuttles for events with remote starts, official electronic timing by Chrono Consult, and over 4,000 professional photos available after the event.

Registration is exclusively online via the Njuko platform, with a progressive pricing system based on tiers of 100 bibs. Participants must bring their own reusable cup for aid stations. The Marathon de Chablis takes place on the same day as the Fête des Vins de Chablis (Chablis Wine Festival), creating an entire weekend dedicated to celebrating the Chablis vineyard in all its forms.