Next race
Sunday, 22 November 2026
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Flat · 50 m gain
50 m climbing
Race profile
The Marathon de La Rochelle follows the Atlantic coast of Charente-Maritime, drawing about 3,500 runners each November through the historic harbour city. The course passes the Vieux Port, the Les Minimes marina, and the flat coastal roads of the Rochefort peninsula approach. November mild Atlantic weather and sea views make it a popular western France marathon.
Marathon de La Rochelle is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 3,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Marathon de La Rochelle is a flat Atlantic loop starting and finishing at the Vieux Port, passing Les Minimes marina and the Île de Ré bridge approach before returning along the harbour. The harbour and coastal flats are the easiest running, while the more open roads near the bridge approach can be tougher when the wind rises; spectators line the Vieux Port, gather around Les Minimes, and cheer the closing harbour miles.
The Marathon de La Rochelle course is flat over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 50 metres of climbing and 50 metres of descent, with minimal net elevation change from start to finish.
Registration
For the Marathon de La Rochelle, the race is held on the fourth Sunday of November. Registration is at https://marathondelarochelle.com/.
Getting there
La Rochelle Île de Ré Airport (LRH)
4 km / 2 mi
Race footage
Common questions
Official resources
Last updated 11 October 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Close to this race
Other races closest to La Rochelle.
The Marathon Royan Cote de Beaute draws approximately 1,500 finishers each May on a scenic coastal road in Royan, France. It blends resort-town scenery with a largely runnable profile. The route passes estuary views, beaches, and low coastal roads on the Charente coast. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Marathon du Medoc draws approximately 6,000 finishers each September on a wine-country road in Pauillac, France. The race is famous worldwide for combining marathon distance with costume culture and wine-country spectacle. The course passes vineyards, chateaux, and wine villages throughout the Medoc region. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
The Marathon de Nantes attracts about 5,000 finishers each November through western France's largest city. The course passes the Château des Ducs de Bretagne, the Loire River, and the Île de Nantes district on flat Atlantic-coast terrain. November crisp weather and a historic city-centre route make it the Loire-Atlantique's premier marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 8 November 2026
The Marathon Poitiers runs through the historic university city of Poitiers in western France, drawing about 2,500 finishers each October. The course passes the Romanesque Notre-Dame la Grande church, the Futuroscope area, and the Clain River valley. October mild weather and flat Poitou terrain make it a relaxed regional marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 16 May 2027
The Saumur Marathon de la Loire follows the Loire Valley through the famous wine town of Saumur, drawing about 3,000 runners each May. The course passes the Château de Saumur, the Loire River, and the troglodyte cliff dwellings of the valley. May spring weather in the 'Garden of France' creates a scenic château-country marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 9 May 2027
The Marathon de la Côte d'Amour runs along the Atlantic coast of Saint-Nazaire and the Loire estuary, drawing about 2,800 finishers each November. The course follows the 'Love Coast' beaches and passes the Saint-Nazaire shipyards and seaside resorts of western France. November Atlantic weather and coastal rolling terrain characterise this Breton-Loire marathon.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Match a race to your goals — personal bests, sightseeing, atmosphere, or a major milestone — using course data and realistic expectations.
