Next race
Sunday, 16 May 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Historic urban road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Marathon Poitiers is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 2,500 finishers
Course & terrain
The Marathon Poitiers is a flat Poitou loop starting and finishing at the Parc des Expositions, passing Notre-Dame la Grande, the historic centre, and the Clain River parklands. The park and riverside sections are the easiest to run smoothly, while the subtle drags and urban transitions are the tougher moments; spectator support is strongest at the Parc des Expositions, around Notre-Dame la Grande, and along the Clain.
The Marathon Poitiers 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. 118 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The Marathon Poitiers uses open registration at marathon-poitiers.fr with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the May race in western France typically opens early in the year. The modest field draws regional club runners through the same online portal.
Getting there
Poitiers/Biard (PIS)
Poitiers-Biard Airport
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 Poitiers.
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 Tours draws approximately 1,800 finishers each September on an urban road in Tours, France. It offers classic French city scenery without the scale of Paris or Bordeaux. The route passes Loire-side roads, historic center streets, and elegant avenues in the Loire Valley city. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 5 September 2027
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.
Next race: Sunday, 22 November 2026
The Marathon de Cheverny draws approximately 1,500 finishers each April on a chateau and vineyard road in Cheverny, France. The chateau start makes the race feel distinctly Loire Valley from the first minutes. The route passes Loire chateau scenery, vineyards, and rural roads in a compact heritage setting. Gentle undulations are the only breaks on an otherwise flat profile.
Next race: Sunday, 4 April 2027
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 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
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.
