Marathon races near Firminy

The Trail du Haut Pilat is an October trail-running event held in Saint-Genest-Malifaux, located in France’s Loire department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Organized by La Foulée du Haut Pilat for over two decades, it features four nature-focused races, ranging from a 7 km option to the 42 km MaraTrail, alongside four children’s races. The event benefits from cool autumn weather, appealing to a wide audience from local families to runners seeking rigorous training on the longer courses. The courses traverse the Haut Pilat area, with updated routes passing St Romain-les-Atheux, the Cotatay dams, Ondenon, and offering views towards Auvergne. The 42 km MaraTrail includes 1,130 m of elevation gain and single-track segments, serving as effective preparation for events like Sainté-Lyon or Sainté Trail Urbain. The 25 km course offers 650 m of climbing, additional single track, and passes the Pilat springs above 1,000 m. The 14 km race provides a moderate distance through Pilat forests, concluding near the green zone by the Plats dam. A local tradition, the “Chocolat des Princes” element, adds a unique touch to the race day beyond the running activities.

The Semi-Marathon de Feurs is a road race held in Feurs, a small town in the Loire department of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Participants can select either a 10 km race or a half marathon of 21.0975 km. Both races begin in the morning, with the half marathon starting shortly after the 10 km event. Feurs is situated on the right bank of the Loire River, positioning this as a local town race connected to the river valley rather than a large urban event. The race organization is kept simple: entry fees are reasonable, bibs are collected before race morning, and another individual may pick up a bib using a copy of the runner’s identification.

The Ekiden de Saint-Etienne ENEDIS is a road race held in Saint-Étienne, located in France's Loire department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. The next edition is scheduled for late March. The core concept is a marathon run as a relay through the city, where teams divide the 42.195 km distance among members. The event also features a 20 km road race, along with courses for children and juniors. The marathon course is a single 42.195 km loop, and the 20 km race also consists of one loop. This event welcomes both seasoned runners and novices, with the relay format emphasizing teamwork and mutual support. Finishers considers the road race its most popular offering, and the organizer's motto is: "We offer it to you on a silver platter!"

The Semi-marathon et 10 km de Feurs is a road race in Feurs, located on the right bank of the Loire River. It features two distances: a 21.097 km half marathon and a 10 km race. The event is scheduled for March, with the specific date to be confirmed. The 10 km race begins at 09:10, followed by the half marathon at 09:30. Bib prices are 17 EUR for the 10 km and 22 EUR for the half marathon, suggesting a local French running event rather than a major destination race.