Poitiers, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
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.
The next Marathon Poitiers is scheduled for Sunday, 16 May 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 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 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.
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.
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 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. Loire-side roads, historic center streets, and elegant avenues in the Loire Valley city offer classic French scenery without the scale of Paris or Bordeaux.
Next race: Sunday, 6 September 2026
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. Loire chateau scenery, vineyards, and rural roads in a compact heritage setting make April's chateau start feel distinctly Loire Valley from the opening kilometer.
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. Estuary views, beaches, and low coastal roads on the Charente coast blend resort-town scenery with a largely runnable May profile along the Cote de Beaute.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
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