5K races near Thônes

Trail des Glières - Fillière is a mountain trail weekend held in Thorens-Glières, part of the commune of Fillière in Haute-Savoie. Organized by the Club Nordic des Glières, it takes place in early October and offers adults five distance options: the Furious Bouquetin at 56 km with 3400 m of elevation gain, the Ecureuil Fou at 41 km with 2400 m, the Chamois Rapide at 21 km with 1400 m, the Marmotte Speed at 10 km with 500 m, and a Vertical Kilometer. The longest race begins before dawn, while the shortest adult race starts in the early afternoon, covering a range from ultra-style mountain running to a more accessible trail format. The Vertical Kilometer starts at the Usillon campsite and ascends to a finish above the Landron chalet, covering 1000 m of ascent in a single uphill effort. Approximately 1600 adults and 300 children participate in the event, with children’s races for ages 2 to 15 scheduled for Sunday morning. The adult race names reference Alpine wildlife, including the bouquetin, chamois, marmotte, and squirrel, suiting a race focused on steep local terrain rather than road speed. Sunday also features refreshment stands and activities throughout the day, with parking available at the Complexe Sportif Jean Coulon.

Corrida d'Annecy is an October running and walking event held in Annecy, located in France's Haute-Savoie department. The event features short-distance races: 1.5 km, 3 km, and 4.5 km, along with a 7.5 km relay suitable for clubs and companies. The event also offers the Marche des Lumières, a walking option described as pedestrian hiking. The race selection suggests a local, accessible format, accommodating children, novice runners, club teams, workplace groups, walkers, and short-distance runners by providing distances that suit them.

The Foulée de Drumettaz-Clarafond takes place on an autumn morning in Drumettaz-Clarafond, Savoie. The program includes trail running, road running, walking, and children’s cross-country races. The main events are the 18 km Trail de la Parchale, featuring 660 m of elevation gain, and the 9.7 km Ronde des Fou(r)s, primarily on roads. A 9 km popular walk follows mostly trails. For younger participants, there are 3 km, 1.5 km, and 0.8 km cross races, with the two shorter distances unranked. The event emphasizes village festivities alongside the races. Participants receive coffee before the start, and aid stations offer entertainment. The day concludes with an aperitif and a tartiflette, available for the first 500 servings. Local traditions include distributing 150 loaves baked in communal ovens via lottery. Adult participants are given a bottle of Savoie wine, and all finishers receive a personalized souvenir. Prizes are awarded not only to top runners but also to costumed participants, groups, and the clubs that travel the furthest or bring the most members.

The EDF Trail des Vallees d'Aigueblanche is a two-day trail running series in Aigueblanche, Savoie, France, held during an October weekend. The race distances range from a short 4.89 km mountain run to a 51.89 km ultra-distance trail race, catering to runners seeking either a steep climb or a long day in the mountains. The most demanding routes feature significant elevation gain: TERAWATT 3 spans 51.89 km with 3,179 m of climbing, and Tournee Generale covers 48.9 km with 3,241 m of ascent. The 23.95 km races, Echapeaux Belle and Gigawatt, each include 1,358 m of elevation gain. The steepest short distances are Pelton 2000, with 1,933 m of climbing over 10.7 km, and TERAWATT day3, gaining 965 m in just 4.89 km.

Les Boucles du Coeur is a charity running event in Veyrier-du-Lac, a Haute-Savoie village near Annecy. It takes place on an October day, organized by the support committee for breast cancer research in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. All donations benefit cancer research. The races follow routes around Lake Annecy, connecting the event to its lakeside setting instead of a city-street course. Four accessible route options are available, including a 10 km race named “La v”. This offers a manageable distance for runners wishing to support the cause.

The 10km d'Albertville is a road race in Albertville, Savoie, located in the Alps. The main event is a fast 10 km, with a 5 km, a 2x5 km relay, and youth races also scheduled. Participants can choose to race hard, run a shorter distance, or share the relay distance. The course features wide roads and a rolling layout designed for speed, not technical challenge. UOAT organizes the event. The participants range from those aiming for a specific time to casual runners. The mountain setting and Albertville's Olympic history define the race's local character.

Cross de Motz is a November cross-country race held in Motz, Savoie, utilizing the trails of the Espace Sport et Nature du Fier-Motz. The race format features short, quick loops: the men's solo event covers 12 km, the women's solo event is 7 km, and relay teams can choose between a 10 km for pairs or an 8 km for four-person teams. The event also caters to younger participants, with teenagers offered 5 km and 2 km solo options, and the youngest children running 250 m, 500 m, or 1 km based on their age group. The course is designed with two primary loop lengths, 5 km and 2 km, meaning most races are formed by combining these loops over the same terrain rather than distinct point-to-point courses. The event promotes the idea that cross-country running can be more enjoyable than the school version many recall. Solo runners, men's, women's, and mixed relay teams, youth participants, and small children are all included in the day's schedule. Registration covers essential race-day provisions: bib, timing chip, marked course, aid stations, medical assistance, marshals, a medal, photographs, a prize ceremony, and a crepe with a drink post-race.

Lavy des Cimes sends runners directly up the mountain from Viuz-la-Chiésaz, a village near Annecy in Haute-Savoie. This December mountain-running series centers on a vertical kilometer, where the task is straightforward and demanding: gain approximately 1,000 meters as quickly as possible. The primary uphill race covers about 4.6 to 4.7 km. Additionally, the family aspect of the event includes a 1.9 km Funky Trail for children and pairs, a short Funky Vertical, and a biathlon introduction for ages 10 and up. The courses traverse the slopes above the village, offering views toward the Aravis, the Bauges, and Mont Blanc when conditions permit. The race originated in memory of Gaël, and this founding principle continues to influence the event. It serves not only as a challenging climb for specialists but also as a community day for families, young runners, mountain enthusiasts, and individuals seeking a brisk winter exertion. The Funky Trail and Funky Vertical have been established components for some time, and the first Saturday in December is integral to the race's established schedule.

Bourget Xpress is a festive road race in Le Bourget-du-Lac, Savoie, held at Technolac in early December. It is structured as a Christmas corrida, offering 1 km, 5 km, and 10 km distances, with specific races for children and juniors. TEAM LSE SPORT organizes the event, welcoming runners of all abilities, whether they seek a brief winter run or use the 5 km or 10 km for a more challenging effort. The primary course is a 5 km loop within Savoie Technolac, situated near the lakes and ponds surrounding Le Bourget-du-Lac. The 5 km and 10 km routes are noted for being demanding, featuring numerous accelerations and pace changes instead of a consistent rhythm. Local businesses contributed to the event's inception, and the atmosphere emphasizes a friendly Christmas race style over the feel of a large city marathon.

The Course de l'Escalade is a race weekend in Geneva, linked to the city's Escalade festival. This December event commemorates Geneva's successful defense against a seventeenth-century night attack by Savoyard forces. The schedule offers a variety of events: Saturday features adult races for all skill levels, while Sunday includes youth, Parent-Child, relay, FlexiMix, and elite races. A 9 km walk is also available. The primary running distances are brief and intense, not marathon-style, with options around 4.8 km and 7.3 km, alongside shorter races for children and school-aged participants. The courses wind through Geneva's city streets, incorporating enough elevation changes to challenge runners over the short distances. The 4.82 km race involves over 100 m of ascent, and the elite race covers 7.3 km. The walking route begins in Veyrier and concludes at Promenade des Bastions, primarily on level asphalt. The most unique event is la Marmite, a 4 km nighttime race run in costume. This race references the Escalade legend of Catherine Cheynel, who is said to have thrown boiling soup onto the attackers. This tale also accounts for the festival's chocolate cauldrons and imbues the race weekend with a distinct local character, setting it apart from typical road races.