10K races near Thonon-les-Bains

The Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura runs through the Jura massif in autumn. The course crosses forests, ridges, valleys, and open spaces. It is suitable for beginners and experienced runners, offering a challenging environment to share a passion for trail running.

The Chamois 10 km begins at Granges Raguin in the Jura mountains and concludes in Métabief. This is the shortest, most accessible race within the Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura series: 10 km covering 400 meters of elevation gain, with a late-morning start and a three-hour cutoff. The course follows the last part of the longer Lynx route, offering participants a concentrated sample of the UTMJ terrain without the commitment of an ultra distance. It is designed for novices, casual runners, families, and groups of friends, accommodating up to 1,000 runners. A refreshment station is available at the finish. The GPX file is published only a few weeks prior to the event because of the course crossing private land; participants are requested not to use these sections outside of the race.

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.

Bougeons avec Ma Bulle Rose is a charity running and walking day in the Pays de Gex, moving between the neighboring communes of Sauverny and Versonnex. The main program is simple: a 10 km run and a 5 km walk, both open to everyone, with some listings also showing an 8 km option. Recent editions have been scheduled on Saturdays in October, matching the event’s pink-ribbon theme and its focus on living better with cancer. The route links Sauverny and Versonnex rather than centering on a stadium or closed loop, so the event feels like a local community outing as much as a race. Entry fees are modest, and all money raised goes to Ma Bulle Rose, the association behind the event. Alongside the run and walk, organizers add lunch reservations, activities, and social time, which makes the day more about showing up together than chasing a fast result.

Les Boucles Ambilly is a 10 km road race held in Ambilly, a town in France's Haute-Savoie department within the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It takes place in October, beginning at 9:00 AM with an entry fee of 18 euros. This event focuses solely on the single 10 km road race. It is noted as the first edition and is organized by FFoulées d'Ambilly, meaning there is limited race history or established traditions to report.

The Marathon de Lausanne takes runners along the quays of Lausanne, in Switzerland’s Vaud canton, next to the lake. This October road race features a full marathon of 42.195 km, alongside half marathon and 10 km distances, catering to both dedicated marathoners and those seeking a shorter run. The course follows the lakefront quays and Lausanne’s streets, with the rhythm of footsteps along the water providing a distinct atmosphere. The event attracts over 10,000 participants annually, with expected fields exceeding 14,000, and holds full membership in AIMS. A virtual edition was also held recently when the in-person event was canceled.

The Lausanne Marathon concludes at the fountain of the Olympic Museum in Ouchy, a fitting landmark for a race established alongside that museum. This annual road race takes place in Lausanne, within Switzerland’s Canton of Vaud and the French-speaking region of Romandy, typically held in October. The primary event is the full 42.195 km marathon, complemented by half marathon and 10 km races suitable for runners, walkers, and Nordic walkers. A separate 20 km de Lausanne is held in April. The event originated in 1993 and attracts a substantial field for a Swiss regional race, with participation records exceeding 10,000 and recent expectations of over 14,000 participants. The marathon begins at Place de Milan, adjacent to Parc de Milan, then proceeds along the road beside Lake Léman towards La Tour-de-Peilz before returning to Lausanne via the same path. The half marathon utilizes this geography with a different start and finish: it commences in La Tour-de-Peilz and concludes in Lausanne. The course connects the Olympic city with the Riviera near Vevey, passing close to the Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage wine region overlooking the lake. Ethiopian runner Tesfaye Eticha is notable in the race’s history, having won the men’s marathon seven times. The event also features lighter local traditions, such as a Halloween edition with participants in costume, and supports charitable causes like Léman Hope, which assists young people in cancer remission through sailing.

Night Run Morges is an annual night race based at the Parc des Sports in Morges, Switzerland, primarily taking place along the quays. It caters to runners and walkers, offering 1 km, 2.5 km, 5 km, and 10 km distances, along with a 5 km category for walking and Nordic walking. The shorter distances are suitable for children and casual participants, while the 10 km provides a certified Swiss Athletics course for adults and elite runners after dark. The start is on the athletics track, with the finish located at the Parc des Sports parking lot. The 1 km is an untimed fun run for all ages. The 2.5 km is intended for schoolchildren, and the 5 km is open to juniors, adults, schoolchildren, walkers, and Nordic walkers. The event partners with a different charity annually, holds the Unified by Swiss Inclusive Sport quality label, and ensures its races are accessible to individuals with disabilities. All participants receive a medal, and the top three finishers in each category are awarded prizes.

The Balexert 20 km de Genève is an autumn road race in Geneva, finishing on the shore of Lake Geneva near the Jet d’Eau. The main race is 20 km, but the event offers runners and walkers multiple options: 20 km solo or relay, 10 km solo or relay, 10 km walking, Nordic walking, and junior races for children aged 3 to 13. This event, with fewer than ten editions, is part of the Trophée Léman Running series. The 20 km route crosses Geneva’s urban areas and the surrounding countryside, including sections through International Geneva with views toward the Jura and Mont Blanc. The course profile is suitable for a road race, featuring approximately 100 m of climbing and an elevation range from about 100 m to 500 m. Families participate through junior races from 500 m to 2 km, and the Mascotte Run adds a playful element. The event supports Réseau Cancer du Sein, and one edition aimed to raise 15,000 CHF for a child's heart operation.

Trail Blanc Mouthe is a winter night trail race held in Mouthe, a village in the Doubs department of eastern France, situated high in the Jura massif at approximately 930 meters. The location imbues the race with its character: Mouthe is frequently referred to as the French North Pole, and the lowest temperature ever recorded in France, -36.7°C, was registered there. Participants can select 10 km or 20 km courses, with an additional Trail XS option extending to about 24 km and featuring 650 meters of elevation gain. The race crosses snowy forests under the cover of darkness and the sharp January cold, making a headlamp a mandatory piece of equipment rather than an optional item. It serves as an early-season event for runners seeking a challenge more demanding than a road race and colder than a typical trail run. The organizers embrace the playful aspect of the name: while no mammoth is present, participants are encouraged to wear moumoute, which translates to fluffy or furry attire, a fitting choice for the frozen environment over standard race singlets.