International Beaujolais Marathon 2026

Run, drink, eat, run, drink, eat… The International Beaujolais Marathon is the race of gastronomic delight and pushing your limits! 😮‍💨

Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the Rhône, is home to a completely crazy event! 🤯 In November, this road race will make you forget the cold for a memorable moment, in a crazy atmosphere! 🥳 It’s in the rolling hills among the Beaujolais crus, between roads, vineyard paths 🍇 and castles, that the International Beaujolais Marathon is laid out.

Before getting to the heart of the matter, a little step back is needed to understand the origins of this event... It can easily be considered the little brother of the Médoc Marathon 💊. It’s a slightly crazy project launched by a group of three friends, who have just returned from the Big Apple 🍏 after running the New York City Marathon 🗽. It’s the end of 1995, and the idea of recreating a festive, friendly marathon "made in Beaujolais", like the one they’ve just experienced, starts to take shape 💭. The rest, we know: an event that attracts more participants every year, reaching over 30,000 participants! 😱 And with so many people expected, there will be quite a crowd! Set on the international stage 🌍, the International Beaujolais Marathon (yes, it was in the name 🤪) welcomes international runners with open arms and guarantees immersion in the local terroir and traditions! 🍇 A true running festival that shines a spotlight on Beaujolais heritage with unique wine tastings 🍷.

There’s so much to say about this great celebration of sport—let’s focus on the race first! On the program, 9 totally out-of-this-world routes laid out between Patrick Fleurie and Villefranche-sur-Saône! You can choose between: the Beaujolais Marathon, the Beaujolais Half Marathon, the "13 km of the Rhône", and the "Family Marathon" of 2.5 km (or 5 km) for kids (but also the big kids 😝). And that’s just for Saturday! 🗓️ Because yes, the fun continues on Sunday with the trails of 43, 24 or 15 km! If you didn’t come here to run and you’ve got a big heart, there’s the "Charity Hike" of 12 or 6 km 🎗️.

To be perfectly honest, you’ll do it in costume (well yeah, it’s more fun 🤓), on a somewhat hilly route through the vineyards, stopping by to visit a few local producers! 👨‍🌾 You’ll have the chance to come across, if your eyes aren’t too crossed 🥴, the route of several castles (Corcelles, Pizay, Longsard in particular) 🏰. You’ll pass through many local towns (Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, Saint-Lager, Denicé, Gleizé) as well as larger towns (Belleville-sur-Saône, Charentay). The welcome is so extraordinary that physiotherapists and osteopaths will be available after your race to get you back on your feet so you can enjoy the rest 💆.

Because yes, this friendly event has its share of surprises in store! Here, the atmosphere is as festive as can be! The marathon village opens as early as Friday at midday ☀️. On the menu 🍴: the traditional "Magic Pasta party" 🍝 on Friday, the wild "Marathon Night" on Saturday and the "Wine tourism lunch" in Romanèche-Thorins as well as the "Trails and Hike lunch" in Gleizé on Sunday. Is that all? No, of course not! The aid stations are 5-star quality, with about fifteen tastings (to be enjoyed in moderation) 🍷. And by the way, you’re not going to fool us! Costumes aren’t just for the race—we want to see you wearing them throughout the whole festivities 🦸. Almost all participants play along; you’ll see, it’s the ultimate event in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes! Every year, you’ll witness a gigantic, ultra-friendly family gathering. The many activities and the powerful support from spectators will push you all the way to the finish line 🏁. To enjoy the region, many holiday cottages and hotels are available nearby and you’ll see, it’s a hiking paradise! 👟 And if you’re looking to discover even more local specialties, try a good Beaujolais sausage or a traditional Juliénas coq au vin. It’s going to be great! 😋

An event that’s always more magic 🪄, always more festive 🥳, eco-responsible and supportive, with the bonus of gastronomy 🍽️, before, during and after the race: this International Beaujolais Marathon is no small beer! 🍻