Cycling & running events in Geneva-Annemasse (French part), 2026

Geneva-Annemasse Training Notes

Running: Locals run the Arve when they want easy Z2 without leaving town. The Arve gives shade and park sections, and the line through Parc Noie-tes-Puces and Les Iles nature reserve keeps things pleasant. Runners switch sides from time to time to stay on the better path. The full route runs 9 km past Ponts de l'Ile. Locals have no named run club in the brief, so the river does the social work. L'anthychoise, La Tartencelloise, Muco'run, and Course des Rives keep the race calendar anchored.

Cycling: Cyclists look straight at Mont Saleve when they want work. The Circuit du Saleve starts from Annemasse, crosses Le Saleve, and keeps the recommended gradients under 6%. Locals use it for base miles, then test the sharper stuff near Monnetier-Mornex. The direct ascent through Monnetier-Mornex contains a section above 17%, so nobody calls that a soft spin. The direct ascent is 7 km with 1010 m of gain. The longer variant is 8 km with 1189 m of gain. Locals have no named cycling club in the brief, so the climb is the club.

Season: April 15 to October 31 is the clean window for the Circuit du Saleve. Summer puts the Saleve in play from three of its four slopes, so riders can stack intervals, gran fondo prep, or a proper crit-style dig without overthinking access. Runners stay close to the Arve when heat builds, because the paths are mostly under shade or in parks. Winter changes the rhythm more than the map. The Saleve stays accessible all year round from three slopes, while runners keep the river, parks, and lower trails for steady Z2 when the high ground feels less inviting.