Annecy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
The Marathon du Lac d'Annecy runs around one of Europe's cleanest alpine lakes, attracting about 3,500 runners each April. The course offers turquoise lake views, alpine peaks, and the medieval Annecy old town. April mountain-lake weather and a largely flat lakeside path make it one of France's most beautiful marathons.
Marathon du Lac d'Annecy is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Marathon du Lac d'Annecy is scheduled for Sunday, 11 April 2027 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 100 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.
The Marathon du Lac d'Annecy is a lakeside loop starting and finishing in the Jardins de l'Europe beside Lake Annecy, following the shore through Annecy-le-Vieux, Sevrier, and the west shore with Alpine views across the water. The lakeside paths are the easiest because they stay mostly flat and scenic, while the minor headland rises are the tougher interruptions; crowds gather in the Jardins de l'Europe, in the west-shore villages, and back in Annecy.
The Marathon du Lac d'Annecy course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
For the Marathon du Lac d'Annecy, the race is held on the second Sunday of April. Registration is at https://www.marathon-annecy.com/.
Race-day footage from the course to help you picture the route, crowds, and key landmarks on marathon day.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Annecy.
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Next race: Saturday, 8 May 2027
The Lausanne Marathon attracts about 4,500 finishers each October along Lake Geneva (Lac Léman) with views of the French Alps across the water. The course passes the Olympic Museum, the Ouchy waterfront, and the Lavaux vineyard terraces. October autumn light on the lake makes it one of Switzerland's most scenic marathons.
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The Grenoble Marathon draws approximately 2,500 finishers each April through the Alpine capital at the confluence of the Isère and Drac rivers. The course passes the Bastille fortress cable-car, the Paul Mistral park, and the Olympic legacy venues from the 1968 Winter Games. April's alpine spring and flat valley-floor terrain make it one of France's most mountain-framed city marathons.
Next race: Sunday, 25 April 2027
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The Marathon du Beaujolais draws approximately 4,000 finishers each November on a wine-country road in Villefranche-sur-Saone, France. It is one of France's most theatrical marathons, famous for costumes, music, and Beaujolais hospitality. The route passes vineyards, Beaujolais villages, chateaux, and festive wine-country aid stations. Vineyards, Beaujolais villages, and festive wine-country aid stations unfold across rollers that match the region's celebrated hillside terroir.
Next race: Sunday, 1 November 2026
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