They wear round hats, long live the Bretons! We couldn't get you in the mood without a traditional bawdy song! 🎶
If you want to discover the beautiful landscapes and typical villages of Brittany, how about a little detour to Rennes? The green city is famous for its medieval houses, outstanding heritage, and unique charm 😍. For several years now, the Green Marathon Rennes Groupe Interaction has strengthened its reputation by serving as the host event for the Brittany Marathon Championships 🏆! One thing will be more present than ever, though: the crazy atmosphere and the crowd coming out to support you 🎉.
You'll set off in this little corner of paradise in October, when temperatures are still mild and the landscape glows in autumn colors. The Green Marathon Rennes is the 42 km solo, the Ouest-France Relay Marathon for teams of 4 with true team spirit, and the Duo Bati-Armor for the inseparable! The marathon course will also be open to joëlettes! 🧑🦽 And since everyone should find something that suits them, three other distances are offered: the 10 km Lamotte, which you can run at night 🌙, the Yves Rocher Women's Race over 5 km for girl power, and "The Family", a walk of 5 km that everyone can take part in, starting from age 6 👶. The elevation gain is close to 0 at this event, meaning recreational runners won't suffer on climbs and competitors can come and chase their new record! ⌚️
As you watch the kilometers tick by, the organizers of the Rennes Marathon do too! That's why they decided to make it a challenge committed to the planet, with one tree planted for every kilometer covered 🌳. And yes, it isn't called the Green Marathon of Rennes for nothing! 😉
Green, like the lush landscapes of the countryside of Ille-et-Vilaine—but not only! You'll also pound the streets of the Breton capital, with their cobblestones and many fast, flowing stretches. And what's more, the atmosphere and Celtic dances will be a must all along the route. Then, between nature (along the banks of the Vilaine for the marathon) and the city, for a feast for the eyes, you'll take in the quays of the Vilaine, the Parliament of Brittany, Opera or even the Rennes City Hall. And at the finish, a magnificent green carpet (obviously, for the Green Marathon 😆), music groups and cheerleaders will be waiting for you, not to mention the food and drinks you can enjoy: sausage galettes, crêpes, Breton beers, ciders at the finish… Like a fest-noz with a US twist! 🕺 To continue with the all-American grandeur, the out-of-the-ordinary prizes will take your breath away! 🎁 If you're a marathoner, you can also enjoy a muscle recovery session, thanks to the student physiotherapists and podiatrists who will take great care of you once the race is over! 💆
Craving even more greenery and culture? Then set off to discover the spectacular Forest of Brocéliande, listed as a prestigious garden and located just a few strides from Rennes. King Arthur is just waiting for you to tell you his tales 📜. For history lovers and finishers at heart, know that everything can be done on foot. For those who prefer to stroll after the race, Rennes is one of the greenest cities in France. So you got it—there's no shortage of activities. Rennes isn't just a tourist destination: the city is also rich in culinary specialties that will delight your taste buds. On the menu: the legendary Breton crêpes and the divine Bouchot mussels from the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel 🍴.
So, does Brittany win you over?
Shoes laced up? 👟 Watch on your wrist? ⌚️ You’re set on the starting line to cover 42 km that promise to be fast-paced, in an officially certified race with the FFA GOLD Label 🤓. The course is a loop that you’ll run twice 😉.
The race start will take place at Mail François Mitterrand, in the heart of downtown Rennes. Once the Vilaine is crossed, you’ll wind through the city’s streets in a labyrinth, with a little loop around La Criée (contemporary art center) that will end at km 5. You’ll continue your journey, this time along the river and specifically on the Vilaine quays 🏃♂️.
Km 8, you’ll take the second exit at the roundabout and then the third to get back to a more urban section that will bring you very quickly (2 km) back to the riverbank, this time on the other side of the river. Km 12, you’ll head back into the center; on the tour program: Place de la République, City Hall, the Opera, Place Saint-Germain, and the city’s most beautiful buildings 🤯.
After a small detour, you’ll be able to run along the Ille and Rance canal up to the 14th kilometer, before turning around and taking the canal on the other side for more than a kilometer. We hope we didn’t lose you too much… Alright, let’s keep going! You’ll be almost halfway there, which means you’ll have completed the first loop 👏.
Now that you know the course practically like the back of your hand, you can set off again even stronger for a second lap. The finish will be at the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle. Congrats on your great performance! 😍
Does the marathon’s flagship road-race distance scare you a bit? Don’t feel ready to run 42 km? No worries, the relay Marathon is made for you. You’ll have the satisfaction of taking part in this great race with an awesome team to share the fun—and the kilometers too 😉. With your co-workers, among friends, or with classmates from your school, you’ll definitely find an option that suits you!
The marathon kilometers are split among 4 relay runners, each covering 8 to 12 km on a 100% urban course in downtown Rennes. The relay points are located near the metro stations on lines A and B. You’ll be able to join your teammates for the last kilometers to cross the finish line together—like the dream team you are! 👏
Who is the perfect partner you’re going to cover this legendary distance of 42 km with? 👫
The marathon in a duo is a chance to take part in the event and, above all, to split the distance into two half-marathons, which is already less daunting!
Share to find each other again more easily, because in the last few kilometers you’ll be able to regroup with your teammate and cross the finish line together! 🤝
The 10 km course is for both amateurs and seasoned athletes. For a first racing experience, the night 🌙 10 km is a great opportunity to try your hand at this lovely distance. And for the competitive spirits, we haven’t forgotten you either: this distance is perfect for chasing a new PR ⌚️. Especially since this race is FFA Gold Label certified ! 🤓
Alright, let’s tell you a bit more about the beautiful course waiting for you! In the heart of Brittany’s capital, you’ll have the chance to run at night. The start will be on the Mail François Mitterrand, and your first kilometers will take you around La Criée (contemporary art center). You’ll then continue along the river on the quays of the Vilaine. Your route will take you past the Museum of Fine Arts, and once on the other side of the riverbank, you’ll discover the city’s beautiful heritage. On the agenda: Place de la République, City Hall, the Opera House, Place Saint-Germain... the city’s most beautiful buildings!
The course is an out-and-back, which will let you admire the setting and also get to know the route well. So no excuses for not unleashing the watts on the final pass! 🏃♂️ The finish will be at the Esplanade Charles de Gaulle, after the Les Champs Libres cultural center. Congrats on a great race! 👏
A 100% women-only run, to do without pressure and just among girls 💁♀️.
5 km is an accessible distance that lets all levels take part in the event. Before you set off on the route in the heart of Rennes, the Aquatonic team will offer you a warm-up to get your heart rate up to music and in a great atmosphere 👯♀️.
Let us describe the route a bit more. You’ll start your race on the Mail François Mitterrand before heading off to weave through the narrow streets of the beautiful city. Your first kilometers will take you past the Museum of Fine Arts before crossing the river La Vilaine 🌊.
You’ll continue the guided tour with the Notre-Dame-en-Saint-Melaine Church and then carry on into the center with the city’s most beautiful buildings: Place de la République, City Hall, the Opera House, Place Saint-Germain. At the 4th km, you’ll cross La Vilaine again to finish your route on the other bank and reach the finish line at the Charles de Gaulle Esplanade, after the cultural center Les Champs Libres.
So, how about this girls-only race? 😉
You can pick up your bib number on the Charles de Gaulle esplanade on Friday, October 16, 2026 from 1:30 pm to 7:00 pm and on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm.
For the "Green Marathon Rennes": start on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 9:00 am on Mail François Mitterand in Rennes. Start at 9:05 am for the joëlettes.
For the "Ouest-France Relay Marathon": start on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 9:00 am on Mail François Mitterand in Rennes
For the "Bati-Armor Duo Marathon": start on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 9:00 am on Mail François Mitterand in Rennes
For the "Yves Rocher Women's Race": start on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 8:00 pm on Mail François Mitterrand in Rennes
For the "Yves Rocher Family Walk": start on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 8:00 pm on Mail François Mitterrand in Rennes
For the "Lamotte 10 km": start on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 9:15 pm on Mail François Mitterrand in Rennes
A valid FFA license or a PPS certificate less than one year old is mandatory. No certificate is required for the family walk. Minors who wish to participate must bring parental authorization.
To take part in the races, you must:
have been born in 2007 or earlier for the "Green Marathon Rennes"
have been born in 2011 or earlier for the "Ouest-France Relay Marathon"
have been born in 2009 or earlier for the "Bati-Armor Duo Marathon"
have been born in 2013 or earlier for the "Yves Rocher Women's Race"
have been born in 2020 or earlier for the "Yves Rocher Family Walk"
have been born in 2011 or earlier for the "Lamotte 10 km"
You will have a maximum time of 5h30 to complete the marathon course to the finish line. At halfway, you will be stopped after 2h40 of racing by a member of the organization who will be authorized to take this runner out of the race; the same applies for the 30th kilometer where you will be stopped from 4h of racing.
For the "Bati-Armor Duo Marathon" and the "Ouest-France Relay Marathon" you will have 5h to complete the course.
Time limit for the "Yves Rocher Family Walk": 1h
Refreshment stations with drinks and food will be located along the course every 5 kilometers as well as at the finish of the race.
The awards ceremonies will take place at the finish on the Charles de Gaulle esplanade after each event.
It is generally still pleasant in Rennes in October with an average temperature of 17°C. But stay cautious because there can be wind and rain.
Do you want to lend a hand? Great! There are several types of missions. You will find all the necessary information on the dedicated page on the website and you can sign up by filling out a form.
If you have other questions about registration, you can send an email to: inscription@lemarathonvert.org. Otherwise, you can fill out a contact form on the website.
If you have other questions about registrations, you can send an email to: inscription@lemarathonvert.org. Otherwise, you can fill out a contact form on the site.
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