Marathon du Vercors 2026

The Marathon du Vercors begins in Villard-de-Lans, located in the Isere department of the French Alps, and takes place over three days in late June. The event features a full 42.195 km marathon, alongside 20 km and 10 km races. The main marathon is noted as Europe’s highest road marathon, situated over 1,000 m above sea level. The marathon route consists solely of road and track, but it is not a flat city marathon relocated to the mountains. A notable ascent is the Col de la Croix Perrin, reaching 1,218 m. The course is set within the Vercors massif, a highland region with fir, spruce, and beech forests. This environment is also habitat for black grouse, griffon vultures, and Alpine ibex, indicating the race emphasizes mountain air and altitude over urban settings and straight roads.