Half Marathon 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.

La Vitalavie is an autumn race in Annecy, Haute-Savoie, France, offering running and walking options. The program includes trail running, road running, and Nordic walking, with distances around 16 km, 16.5 km, and 20.9 km. It typically occurs in early November, and previous editions featured two main courses of approximately 16 km and 21 km. The race begins and ends at Albigny beach, directing participants toward areas around the lake like Talloires and Perroix, and the upper reaches of Lake Annecy. Around 400 participants joined a past edition, accommodating both experienced runners and amateurs. The event originated as a local autumn gathering named La Vitalavie, supported by volunteers and sports enthusiasts. Its current name, En courant sur les balcons du lac d’Annecy, better reflects the terrain above the lake. Organizers describe the updated route as accessible and fast, with varied terrain and challenges suitable for different skill levels.

La Chambérienne is a night urban trail race held in Chambéry, located in the Savoie department of France’s Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It takes place in November and features two city-trail distances: 10 km and 21 km, each designed as a single-loop course. The 21 km race is the primary event, available for solo runners or two-person duos. The 10 km offers a shorter solo option, maintaining the same nighttime, in-town format. The event emphasizes its Chambéry roots with the slogan “Trop Chambé !”, positioning itself on the regional running calendar as a concise city race distinct from extended mountain runs.

Trail la Chambérienne is an evening trail event in Chambéry, Savoie. The first race begins at 19:30, with others starting at 20:00. The program includes a 10.5 km discovery trail with 330 m elevation gain, a 4 km children’s discovery trail with 50 m elevation gain, and two 21 km short-trail options with 950 m elevation gain. One 21 km option is for solo runners, and the other is for duos. The race is designed for runners preferring hills over a flat city course. The 10 km trail offers a shorter option for less experienced trail runners, while the 21 km routes present more climbing within a manageable distance. Children have a dedicated 4 km course, and the duo format allows pairs to tackle the longer distance together. Entry fees vary from 5 euros for the children’s race to 50 euros for the 21 km duo.

The Brooks Marathon du Lac d'Annecy is a spring road marathon in Annecy, France, that runs beside Lake Annecy with the Alps nearby. Established in 1980 and sanctioned by the French Athletics Federation, it is a race weekend with multiple options: participants can select the full marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, or a walking event, which includes Nordic walking. The full marathon begins on Avenue du Petit Port, with seeded waves organizing runners by pace. The course follows the lake's western shore and passes through some of Annecy's well-known public areas, such as Le Paquier promenade, the Gardens of Europe, Parc Charles Bosson, and the Bout du Lac Nature Reserve. Runners encounter sections alongside turquoise water, shaded paths, and expansive mountain vistas. The course is also noted as challenging, meaning it is more than just a scenic race. It attracts runners seeking a French spring marathon in a lake-and-mountain environment, alongside local participants and those running shorter distances during the same weekend.

La Chatvoyarde is a 21 km nature trail race in Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu, Savoie, French Alps. It begins at 9 a.m. from Camping des Lacs, covering 950 meters of elevation gain within its half-marathon distance. This course is suited for runners with existing trail experience, not for casual road runners seeking a simple run. The route primarily follows natural paths and trails, featuring steady ascents, quicker rolling segments, and technical descents. It passes through Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu and Billième, offering views of the Saint-Jean-de-Chevelu lakes, adjacent hills, and nearby mountains. Participants will find one aid station along the route and a more complete refreshment area at the finish. The entry fee is 25 euros.