Marathon de la Loire
The tourist marathon along the Loire in Saumur
About Marathon de la Loire
The Marathon de la Loire: running along the royal river
Since its creation in 2017, the Marathon de la Loire has established itself as one of the most picturesque marathons in France. Located in Saumur, in the heart of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, it offers runners an exceptional course along the banks of the Loire, between châteaux, vineyards, and river landscapes.
A course along the Loire
The marathon route follows the paths of the "vieille Levée", these historic dikes that run along the Loire, offering a flat and fast course, ideal for setting personal bests. The single loop crosses landscapes of exceptional beauty: the limestone hillsides planted with vines, the troglodytic dwellings, the villages of white tuffeau stone, the Château de Saumur overlooking the river, and the vast Loire sandbanks where rich and varied fauna nests.
Three events for all levels
The Marathon de la Loire offers three events adapted to different sporting levels:
- The individual marathon (42.195 km): the main event, qualifying for the French championships
- The half-marathon (21.100 km): offered since 2019, it allows participants to discover the banks of the Loire over a more accessible distance
- The combined event (12 km canoeing + 17 km running): an original event combining navigation on the Loire and running, for a unique sporting and tourist experience
A sporting and festive event
Beyond the competition, the Marathon de la Loire is a true festive event. The start-finish village welcomes runners and their companions with entertainment, catering stands, and relaxation areas. The town of Saumur mobilizes to welcome participants, who come from all over France and abroad to run in this exceptional setting. The event contributes to the tourist and sporting influence of the Saumurois region and the Loire Valley.
Marathon de la Loire — edition 2026
The 8th edition of the Marathon de la Loire took place on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026, in Saumur, with a record of 14,000 participants across all events. On the program: individual marathon (42.195 km), half-marathon (21.1 km), canoe-run combined (12 km + 17 km), and new for 2026, the 5 km Matmut #NésPourBouger on Saturday evening.
8th Edition — May 9 and 10, 2026
The 8th edition of the Marathon de la Loire took place in Saumur on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026, with a record attendance of 14,000 participants across all events, including approximately 7,000 marathon runners. The spring weather and the exceptional setting of the Loire riverbanks once again supported this event, one of the flattest in France (58 m cumulative elevation gain) and qualifying for the French Marathon Championships.
New for 2026: the 5 km Matmut
On Saturday, May 9 at 6:30 PM, the new event 5 km Matmut #NésPourBouger (non-timed) kicked off the race weekend from Saumur city center, in a family-friendly and convivial atmosphere.
Sunday, May 10: marathon, half-marathon, and combined
On Sunday, three events started:
- 8:00 AM — Half-marathon (21.1 km), with a start from Gennes-Val-de-Loire and an arrival in Saumur (approximately 4,500 runners)
- 8:30 AM — Individual marathon (42.195 km), start Place de la République in Saumur
- 9:00 AM — Canoe-run combined (12 km in two-person canoe + 17 km on foot), start from Cale Mayaud
Marathon results
In the men's race, Maxime Lopes won in 2h20'36, ahead of Julien Hervé (2h21'35) and Brice Denis (2h27'58). In the women's race, Bettina Billon (AL Échirolles) took the title in 2h48'53, becoming the first female runner to finish under 2h50 in this event.
A UNESCO-listed route
As every year, the route followed the «vieille Levée» and the banks of the Loire between Gennes-Val-de-Loire and Saumur, in a territory listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Runners enjoyed entertainment every kilometer and a glass of fine Loire sparkling wine at the finish line.
Programme Marathon de la Loire 2026
Saturday, May 9, 2026
- 9:00 AM–7:00 PM — Bib collection at Parc des Expositions du Breil (avenue du Breil, Saumur)
- 6:30 PM — Start of the 5 km Matmut #NésPourBouger (non-timed, new for 2026)
Sunday, May 10, 2026
- 7:30 AM — Opening of the marathon village, Place de la République
- 8:00 AM — Start of the half-marathon (21.1 km) from Gennes-Val-de-Loire
- 8:30 AM — Start of the individual marathon (42.195 km), Place de la République in Saumur
- 9:00 AM — Start of the canoe-run combined (12 km canoe + 17 km run), Cale Mayaud, Saumur — in pairs, equipment provided
- Until 4:00 PM — Arrivals, entertainment, and celebrations at the marathon village
Highlights Marathon de la Loire 2026
What to remember from the 2026 edition
- Record attendance: 14,000 participants throughout the weekend
- Approximately 7,000 marathon runners in the main event
- New: 5 km Matmut non-timed on Saturday, May 9 at 6:30 PM
- Marathon winners: Maxime Lopes (2h20'36) and Bettina Billon (2h48'53, women's event record under 2h50)
- UNESCO-listed route along the Loire riverbanks, 58 m cumulative elevation gain — qualifying for the French Championships
Prices Marathon de la Loire 2026
Practical information — Marathon de la Loire
Practical Information
Location
Marathon village and finish line: Place de la République, 49400 Saumur, by the Loire river.
Start Times
- Half-marathon (21.1 km): Sunday at 8:00 AM, start from Gennes-Val-de-Loire (finish in Saumur)
- Individual Marathon (42.195 km): Sunday at 8:30 AM, start from Place de la République in Saumur
- Combined (12 km canoe + 17 km run): Sunday at 9:00 AM, start from Cale Mayaud in Saumur, in pairs
- 5 km Matmut #NésPourBouger (non-timed): Saturday at 6:30 PM, in Saumur
Bib Number Collection
Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the Parc des Expositions du Breil, avenue du Breil in Saumur.
Indicative Prices (2026 edition)
- Individual Marathon: 75 € early bird, 85 € full price (80 € FFA licensees)
- Half-marathon: 50 € early bird, 60 € full price
- Combined canoe-run: 180 € per duo (equipment provided)
- 5 km Matmut: open to all, conditions on the official website
Online registration via the Finishers platform (link on marathon-loire.fr).
Access
By car: Saumur is accessible via the A85. Parking lots near the city center (beware of road closures on Sunday morning).
By train: Saumur train station, a 10-minute walk from the start village.
Accommodation
Book your accommodation in advance: hotels and guesthouses in Saumur and the Saumurois region fill up quickly on marathon weekend.
Contact
Loire Événement Organisation — [email protected] — 02 52 60 59 00.
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Where does it take place — Marathon de la Loire
Centre-ville de Saumur - Bords de Loire
Bords de Loire, 49400 Saumur