Ekiden d'Albi

The Ekiden d'Albi begins at Place Saint Cécile, directly before the imposing Cathédrale Saint-Cécile in Albi, located in the Tarn department of southwest France. This October night road relay involves six runners covering the full marathon distance of 42.195 km, split into legs of 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, and finally 7.195 km. This structure creates a team event for friends, colleagues, families, or club runners, with each participant completing a segment of the marathon rather than a single individual running the entire distance. The course winds through Albi's old town, passing through the historic Castelviel district, and crosses the Tarn River via the Pont Vieux before heading back towards the cathedral. Albi is known as the "red city" because of the characteristic color of its brick buildings. The cathedral and its surrounding Episcopal City are recognized by UNESCO, providing a compact, historic backdrop for the race instead of a typical suburban circuit. The organizers emphasize the team and festive aspect of the relay, encouraging teams to select a name, bring support, wear costumes, and remain for the post-race social gathering.