Beaujolais International Marathon 2026

Run, drink, eat, run, drink, eat... The Beaujolais International Marathon is the race of culinary delight and self-surpassing! 😮‍💨

Villefranche-sur-Saône, in the Rhône, is the land of an utterly crazy race! 🤯 In November, this road race will make you forget the cold for a memorable moment, in a crazy atmosphere! 🥳 It is in the rolling hills amidst the Beaujolais crus, between roads, vineyard paths 🍇 and castles, that the Beaujolais International Marathon is designed.

Before diving into the main subject, some background is needed to understand the origins of this event... It can easily be considered as the little brother of the Marathon du Médoc 💊. It's a somewhat crazy project launched by a group of three friends, returning straight from the Big Apple 🍏 after running the New York Marathon 🗽. It was at the end of the year 1995, and the idea of recreating a festive and friendly marathon "made in Beaujolais", like the one they just experienced, started taking shape 💭. The rest is history: an event that each year attracts more participants, reaching over 30,000 participants ! 😱 And with so many people, it's going to be a real spectacle! Placed on the international stage 🌍, the Beaujolais International Marathon (indeed, it's in the name 🤪) welcomes international runners with open arms and guarantees an immersion in local culture and traditions! 🍇 A true running festival that highlights the Beaujolais heritage with unique wine tastings 🍷.

There's so much to say about this beautiful sports celebration, let's first focus on the race! On the program, 9 courses for zany people plotted between Patrick Fleurie and Villefranche-sur-Saône! You can choose between: the Beaujolais Marathon, the Semi-Marathon of Beaujolais, "13 km of the Rhône", and the "Family Marathon" of 2.5 km for children (and also for big kids 😝) . And that's just to talk about Saturday! 🗓️ Because yes, the party continues on Sunday with the "Bacchus Trail" of 42, 21, or 13 km! If you didn't come here to run and have a big heart, there's the all-women and solidarity walk of 12 or 6 km: "Rando POUR ELLES" 🎗️. Like each year, the event reinforces its charitable commitment for the Cancer League, the association Courir POUR ELLES and other actors in this cause 🫶.

To be upfront, you will complete, in costume (because yes, it’s more fun 🤓), a somewhat hilly course through the vineyards while visiting some local producers! 👨‍🌾 You will have the opportunity to cross paths with several castles (Corcelles, Pizay, Longsard among others) 🏰. You will pass through many local towns (Corcelles-en-Beaujolais, Saint-Lager, Denicé, Gleizé) but also major cities (Belleville-sur-Saône, Charentay). The reception is so extraordinary that physiotherapists and osteopaths will be available after your race to rejuvenate you so you can enjoy the rest 💆.

Because yes, this friendly event will hold its share of surprises! Here, the atmosphere is festive enough! The marathon village opens on Friday noon ☀️. On the menu 🍴: the "Beaujolais Nouveau Party" on Thursday, the traditional "Pasta party" 🍝 on Friday, the "Marathon Night" on Saturday, and the "Wine-tasting Lunch" in Romanèche-Thorins on Sunday. Is that all? Not even close! The refreshment stations are of a quality worthy of a 5-star, with fifteen tastings (to be consumed in moderation) 🍷. And besides, you won’t get away with it! The costume isn’t just for the race, we want to see you in it for the entire festive period 🦸. Almost all participants join in on the fun, you’ll see it's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes’ must-attend event! Each year you witness a gigantic and hyper-friendly family gathering. Numerous animations and the powerful support from spectators will push you to the finish line 🏁. To enjoy the region, many gîtes and hotels are available nearby and you'll see, it's a hiking paradise! 👟 And if you're looking to discover more local specialties, taste a good Beaujolais sausage or a traditional coq au vin de Juliénas. It promises! 😋

An ever more magic 🪄, always more festive 🥳, eco-responsible, and solidary event, with top-notch gastronomy 🍽️, before, during, and after the race: this Beaujolais International Marathon is not just kid stuff! 🍻