Next race
Sunday, 11 April 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Lakeside scenic road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Approximately 3,500 finishers
Course & terrain
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 rolling 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.
Rolling · 100 m gain — approx. 452 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
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/.
Getting there
Annecy Meythet airport (NCY)
3 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 Annecy.
The Geneva Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 12k finishers on an urban road in Geneva, Switzerland. The course starts and finishes at Plaine de Plainpalais. The route follows the Lake Geneva shore through Versoix and back. Mostly flat along the waterfront with Alpine views.
Next race: Sunday, 9 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.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
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
The Lyon Marathon draws approximately 2,000 finishers on an urban road in Lyon, France. The course starts and finishes at Place Bellecour. The route crosses the Rhône and Saône rivers, passing Vieux Lyon and the Confluence district. Mostly flat with short bridge climbs.
Next race: Sunday, 3 October 2027
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. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs shapes the middle miles.
Next race: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Planning guides
Practical guides to help you plan, train for, and run this race.
What flat, rolling, and hilly really mean — and how to read elevation gain, net change, and altitude on a marathon course.
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.
