La Rochelle · France
Marathon races near La Rochelle
2 races in 2026
next one in 81 days
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Upcoming Marathon races near La Rochelle
SEP 2
20SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Semi-marathon de Nesmy
Nesmy · 52 km away
23SEP
Run · road · Marathon
Semi-Marathon Esprit d'Angély
Saint-Jean-d'Angély · 54 km away
La Rochelle · 80 km
2 races mapped
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Recurring Marathon races near La Rochelle
Races that repeat — weekly, monthly or yearly
Trail du pays de La Chataigneraie
The Trail du Pays de La Châtaigneraie guides runners through the Vendée bocage, passing through La Châtaigneraie, Terval, Cheffois, and Mouilleron Saint Germain in western France. This nature trail event, typically held in early October, offers race distances from 9 km to a 42 km marathon course, alongside children’s and junior races. Even the shorter routes involve climbing: the 9 km has approximately 162 m of ascent, the 15 km has about 362 m, and the 30 km gains over 500 m.
The race emphasizes the local terrain over flat road speed. The 16 km route ventures into the Cheffois Quarries, while the 42 km course connects these quarries with the Rochers de Mouilleron Saint Germain and ascends close to 1,000 m. A two-person relay covers the marathon distance, divided into 22 km and 20 km segments. Community participation is evident, with over 200 runners on the 15 km and more than 100 on both the 9 km and 30 km. NIKROME manages timing, and an app provides live GPS tracking for following participants.
Trail du pays de la Châtaigneraie
The Trail du Pays de la Châtaigneraie is an October trail running event held in La Châtaigneraie, Vendée, western France. It crosses the Vendée bocage, passing through La Châtaigneraie, Terval, Cheffois, and Mouilleron Saint Germain. Distances cater to various abilities, from short runs to a full trail marathon. The primary distances are 9 km, 16 km, 25 km, and 42 km, with elevation gains ranging from approximately 200 metres on the 9 km race to about 1,000 metres on the marathon. A two-person relay covers the marathon distance, divided into 22 km and 20 km legs.
The longer courses incorporate local landmarks, including the Carrières de Cheffois, the Rochers de Mouilleron Saint Germain, and Les Pépinières Ripaud, instead of following simple village roads. The event accommodates a wide range of participants, offering shorter routes for beginners or quick runners, longer options for experienced trail runners, and children's races of 1000 and 2000 metres. NIKROME manages the timing, and an app provides live GPS tracking for supporters and a fan zone. Additionally, one euro from each race entry is donated to l'HéMA, an association supporting hematology research at Nantes University Hospital.
Semi-Marathon de la Coulée Verte
The Semi-Marathon de la Coulée Verte is an October road race in Niort, the main city of France’s Deux-Sèvres department. The headline distance is the half marathon, but the day also includes an 8 km race, an 8 km handisport race, and children’s and junior races, functioning as a city running festival rather than a single-distance event. More than 5,000 runners participate each year, with over 10,000 spectators along the route.
The name originates from the Coulée Verte, a green path following the Sèvre Niortaise river through Niort. The races utilize city streets, pass through the Jardin des Plantes, and conclude at the Jardins de la Brèche, a central public garden. Orchestras provide music on race day, and the event’s slogan, “En vert et pour tous !”, reflects its diverse field of half-marathon runners, shorter-distance entrants, handisport athletes, and younger racers. It is also commonly known as the Semi-Marathon de Niort, and it has been held for over thirty years.
Ekiden 79
Ekiden 79 is a road relay race held in Niort, located in the Deux-Sevres department of western France. Its next edition is scheduled for late October. The race follows the ekiden format, where teams of runners share the total distance, rather than each runner completing the entire course individually. Participants can choose between two options: a 20 km Semi-Ekiden for teams preferring a shorter distance, and a full marathon-distance Ekiden covering 42.195 km.
Both races feature a single-loop course that crosses the center of Niort. The primary appeal lies in the team dynamic: runners divide the distance, transferring the effort sequentially to teammates, while still completing a standard road race distance. While detailed information is limited, the event appears to be a city relay focused on shared pacing, team composition, and the option of a half-distance or full marathon relay.
Marathon de La Rochelle
Semi-marathon de la Rochelle
The Semi-marathon de la Rochelle begins near Place Saint Maurice, guiding runners through a port city on France's Atlantic coast. This event is part of the La Rochelle race weekend held in late November, featuring a 5 km race and a half marathon that can be completed individually or as a two-person relay. Approximately 4,000 runners participate in the semi-marathon. The race provides starting corrals, pacemakers, bag drop services, and aid stations. The half marathon adheres to French road-race regulations and may serve as a qualifier for the French Championship.
The course winds through the city center, Charruyer Park, Franck Delmas Park, the Baie du Port Neuf, the quays of the Vieux Port, and the tree-lined alleys of the mail. The Marathon de La Rochelle - Serge Vigot originated from La Rochelle's initial marathon and was later named after its founder, Serge Vigot. While most marathon participants are French, the elite competitions also attract athletes from East Africa and other European countries. The full marathon route crosses central streets and historic port areas, featuring a flat, double-loop figure-8 design conducive to fast times.
Ekiden Les Sables D'olonne - Les Sables Dolonne
Ekiden Chatelaillon - Plage
Ekiden Chatelaillon - Plage is a road relay held in mid-April along the Atlantic coast in Charente-Maritime, France. It starts at Place Jean Moulin in Châtelaillon-Plage and is connected to La Rochelle. The primary event is an Ekiden marathon, where six runners cover 42.195 km through legs of 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, 10 km, 5 km, and 7.195 km. A Half-Ekiden of 20 km for teams of three is also offered, alongside a corporate challenge for businesses, public bodies, and business clubs.
The marathon course is a single, flat loop with minimal elevation gain (around 2 m), emphasizing pacing, handovers, and team coordination over climbing. The route includes seaside sections and passes through the town, offering both coastal and urban running. Organized by Marathon de La Rochelle Serge Vigot, the event holds an FFA label, allows teams to qualify for French championships, and supports the Nouvelle-Aquitaine regional championship. The main relays are preceded by children's races and a family relay, extending the event's scope beyond the six-runner marathon.
Semi Marathon d'Airbus Atlantic
The Semi Marathon d'Airbus Atlantic is a spring road race held in Rochefort, Charente-Maritime, on France’s Atlantic coast. The main event is a half marathon, accompanied by a 10 km race and youth races, offering multiple starts for participants of all ages.
The course is largely flat and accessible, combining urban streets in Rochefort with more open paths, including segments near the Charente river. Participants include Airbus Atlantic employees, residents, and visiting runners. The event also benefits a charitable cause, connecting it to the company, the town, and the local running scene beyond just the competition.
Semi-marathon airbus atlantic - Rochefort
The Airbus Atlantic Semi-marathon is a spring road race held in Rochefort, a coastal town in western France with a significant naval history. Taking place each April, it offers participants two distance options: a half marathon covering the full 21.1 km, and a 10 km race for a shorter challenge.
The location is a key feature of the event. Rochefort is situated near the Atlantic coast, providing runners with coastal air, passage through historic streets, and a sense of a town defined by its maritime heritage. The race is supported by corporate sponsors and is well-organized, drawing most of its participants from local and regional running groups rather than a large international field.
Semi marathon la tranche sur mer - La Tranche-sur-Mer
La Tranche-sur-Mer’s race series is a road-running event in Vendée on France’s Atlantic coast, featuring a half marathon and a 7 km race. Scheduled for late April, the main distance is the standard 21.0975 km half marathon. Both races utilize single-loop courses, providing runners with one continuous circuit instead of repeated laps.
The route follows the local coastline, with sections along the sea, through marshland, and on roads lined with pine trees. CAP La Tranche organizes the event, and these races mark the association’s launch. The 7 km option is the most popular, making the day accessible to newer runners as well as those targeting the half marathon. Organizers highlight the sea air, summarized by their phrase “an iodized breath with every stride.”
Looking for something else near La Rochelle?
Other races in the next 90 days
JUL 466 km away
triathlon
IronMan 70.3 des Sables d'Olonne - L'Île-d'Olonne
JUL 572 km away
walking
Chemins du Roy
JUL 573 km away
other
Chemins du roy - Sainte-Néomaye
AUG 258 km away
cycling
Randonnee De Royan
AUG 950 km away
cycling
Randonnées Talmondaises - Talmont-Saint-Hilaire
AUG 2323 km away
walking
Les Foulées de Chassiron
SEP 567 km away
other
Dom'Pied'Roise - Dompierre-sur-Yon
SEP 560 km away
triathlon
Triathlon de Royan
About Marathon races in La Rochelle
La Rochelle Training Notes
La Rochelle hosts 13 Marathon races in 2026 within 80 km of the city centre — upcoming dates, recurring series, and other races nearby, all in one place.
Locals run early because La Rochelle feels best before the walkers fill the seafront. The Les Minimes loop gives you 7 km with boats moving in and out of the bay. The Minimes - Aytré route stretches to 9 km when you want steady Z2 by the ocean. The Rompsay Canal route runs 15 km from Rompsay Bridge to Dompierre-sur-Mer. Parc Franck Delmas has 5 km loops, and Bois des Coureilles gives 5 to 12 km when you want dirtier legs. RUN ACCUEIL LA ROCHELLE handles weekday sessions and Sunday runs. Marathon de la Rochelle Serge Vigot anchors the year, with Urban Trail la Rochelle, Run des pertuis - La Rochelle, and La Sarabande des filles de La Rochelle close behind.
Locals ride because La Rochelle is bike heaven, especially when you arrive sans vélo and grab a Yélo. Yélo puts over 350 bikes onto a 150 km cyclable network, so base miles start right in town. La Vélodyssée takes you 50 km from La Rochelle to Rochefort in about 3 hours and 20 minutes. The route keeps things honest with 10 m of ascents, 11 m of descents, and a high point of 20 m. The climbs are basically not the story here. Cyclo Rochelais, created in 1931, runs road and gravel outings from Parking Lycée professionnel Rompsay. La Graveloise gives the gravel crowd an anchor event.
Spring and autumn are the sweet spot, with mild weather and high insolation for both intervals and long Z2. Summers are warm, dry, and sunny, so locals start early, then let the path get busy with walkers while the beaches at La Rochelle, Aytré, and Châtelaillon-Plage fill up. Winter stays mild and wet, so you can keep running through the Old Harbour, Gabut, Saint-Nicolas, and the canal. Cyclo Rochelais still rides in winter, with Sunday road departures at 9:30 AM in January and December and gravel at 9:00 AM through the colder months.