Next race
Sunday, 2 May 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Scenic coastal road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Marathon Royan Cote de Beaute is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 1,500 finishers
Course & terrain
Starts and finishes on Royan's seafront. The route passes estuary views, beaches, and low coastal roads on the Charente coast. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.
The Marathon Royan Cote de Beaute 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. 7 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The Marathon Royan Cote de Beaute uses open online registration at marathonroyancotedebeaute.fr with no ballot or qualifying time for the general field. Sign-up for the May race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Getting there
Bordeaux (BOD)
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport
92 km / 57 mi
La Rochelle (LRH)
La Rochelle Île de Ré Airport
63 km / 39 mi
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 Royan.
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 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 des Villages draws approximately 2,720 finishers each October on a coastal village road in Cap-Ferret, France. The village-to-village coastal feel is unlike larger French city marathons. The route passes oyster villages, pine forests, and roads around the Bassin d'Arcachon. Rolling terrain with moderate climbs totals roughly 300 metres of gain and loss.
Next race: Sunday, 18 October 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 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 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
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.
