48 heures de Royan 2026

The 48 heures de Royan is a fixed-time ultramarathon held on the Stade d'Honneur track in Royan, located on France's Atlantic coast in Charente-Maritime. The primary race takes place from Friday to Sunday in early October. The event also includes 24-hour and 12-hour races for those preferring a shorter duration. It is a select-field event by ultrarunning standards, with a combined entry limit of 130 runners and walkers across all three races. The race format is straightforward: participants continuously move around the stadium track for the designated hours, with the final distance covered determining the result. The 48-hour event features distinct running and walking categories for women and men, ensuring race walkers compete alongside runners. Notable performances include Christine David's 281.748 km walk, which set a new women's 48-hour walking record by 41 km, and Yves-Michel Kerlau's 292.849 km in the same walking category. In the running race, Ray Qi has secured victory in three consecutive editions at Royan, achieving 350.295 km in one 48-hour run. The event also offers a unique challenge prize: three victories earn the 48 HEURES TROPHY.