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.