5K races near Thonon-les-Bains

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.

Léman Habitat court contre le cancer is a 5 km road race held in Thonon-les-Bains, Haute-Savoie, near Lake Geneva. It takes place in early October and is not timed; the focus is on participation in a charity event supporting the fight against cancer. The course is described as urban, incorporating park and natural sections, making it suitable for both novice and experienced runners. The race's slogan is “Pas juste courir, habiter la victoire !” It is featured on the Finishers platform as an opportunity for participants to explore local sites and French regional heritage through running.

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.

Course des Hermones is a hilly cross-country race held in Le Lyaud, a village in Haute-Savoie, eastern France. Participants can select a 12.5 km route featuring 340 m of elevation gain or an 8.2 km route with 115 m of climbing. The longer course presents a more challenging day, while the shorter option retains the event's nature-race character with reduced elevation. The long race begins before the short race, contributing to its nature as a focused local event rather than an all-day festival. Commission Sports Loisirs du Lyaud is the organizer, with the local mairie listed as a contact. This structure lends the race the atmosphere of a village sports club event centered on trail running over undulating terrain.

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.

The Course de l'Escalade fills Geneva’s streets each December with road races, walkers, children’s events, elite fields, and thousands of locals in costume. It is an athletics festival as much as a race series, with amateurs and professionals sharing the same weekend and entries now capped around the 60,000 mark. Since 1990, it has ranked as the largest event of its kind in Switzerland, and most runners come from the Geneva region. The program has grown from a straightforward road race into a busy set of formats, including mixed races, children’s races, walking and nordic walking categories, elite races, a relay, and the FlexiMix option where runners can decide mid-race whether to run two or three laps. The races run through central Geneva, with the finish at Parc des Bastions and sections dropping into the lower streets while brass bands play. The most distinctive part is La Marmite, a non-ranked 3.6 km run built for costumes and celebration rather than finishing times. That tradition developed gradually after early editions had almost no dressed-up runners, then became formal with La Marmite, which gave families, friends, and informal groups a place in the event. Recent Marmite fields have included rabbits, dinosaurs, chocolate bars, cartoon characters, Tic-Tac boxes, and luminous clouds. The name links back to Geneva’s Escalade story and the famous “Mère Royaume” episode, so the race sits between sport, local history, and a city party.

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.

The O'Xyrace Trail Blanc Jurassien is a winter night trail race on snow held in Les Rousses, within the Haut-Jura regional natural park. Centered around Lamoura and Prémanon, its race village is at the Espace des Mondes Polaires, placing the event firmly in Nordic ski territory, unlike a city road race. Participants can select from short discovery distances up to approximately 16 km. These routes feature moderate climbs made more challenging by snow, cold, and darkness. A 6.5 km hike and a Trail Blanc KID race for 12- to 15-year-olds are also offered, making the event suitable for families and regular trail runners alike. The primary courses consist of a single loop on marked, secured, and groomed tracks, incorporating sections of snowshoe paths and powder snow. The children's course is a straightforward out-and-back on a groomed track. Annually, the race attracts around 1,500 to 1,800 participants, including groups of friends, sports clubs, families, and those extending their stay for a mountain weekend. It is presented as the sole white trail in the Jura Mountains, with courses set within one of France's most extensive Nordic ski areas. The finish line offers a unique, festive element: runners cross onto a disco-themed ice rink. A prize perfectly suited to the region is also awarded: a 40 kg wheel of Comté cheese.

The Nordic Trail - Chapelle-des-Bois begins on the ski trails in Chapelle-des-Bois, a village in the eastern French Jura, close to the Swiss border. This winter event offers two running distances, 10.5 km and 18 km, and a 7.5 km walking loop for hikers. The event originated from the ski club Mont Noir’s Nordic sport activities. Trail running provides the club with a format that functions even when snow conditions are insufficient for cross-country skiing. Participants collect bibs at the Salle des 4 Saisons, run from the Chapelle-des-Bois pistes, and then gather for awards, refreshments, a hot meal, and a social evening.

Antigel Run is a winter road race in Geneva associated with Festival Antigel, primarily taking place in Parc La Grange and the Eaux-Vives park area. It caters to a broad audience, not exclusively fast runners. Adults can select between 5 km or 10 km distances, while children and juniors participate in shorter races of approximately 1 km to 1.5 km. Families also have the option of a parent-child race. The start and finish are located within the gardens, giving the race a park festival atmosphere rather than a typical city-road event. Its Night Run occurs after dark, and participants are encouraged to bring headlamps, torches, fairy lights, and other illuminated accessories, transforming the course into a moving display of color. The event embraces its unique character with lighthearted warm-ups, music, and a diverse field of club runners, casual participants, children, and parents competing together.