Next race
Sunday, 9 May 2027
9:00 am start
Distance
42.195 km / 26.2 mi
Riverside scenic road
Elevation
Rolling · 100 m gain
100 m climbing
Race profile
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.
Saumur Marathon de la Loire is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
Approximately 3,000 finishers
Course & terrain
The Saumur Marathon de la Loire is a Loire valley loop starting and finishing near the Chateau de Saumur, following the river through vineyard country past the cavalry school and troglodyte cliff villages. The riverside flats are the easiest because they stay smooth and scenic, while the gentle vineyard rolls and narrow village roads are tougher because they keep interrupting rhythm. Spectator support is strongest around the chateau, in Saumur itself, and at organised points in the riverside villages.
The Saumur Marathon de la Loire 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. 34 m above sea level
↑ 100 m · ↓ 95 m · net +5 m
Registration
The Saumur Marathon de la Loire uses open registration at saumurmarathon.com with no ballot or qualifying standard. Sign-up for the May race in the Loire Valley wine region typically opens early in the year. The modest field draws French club runners through the same online portal.
Getting there
Tours, Indre-et-Loire (TUF)
Tours Val de Loire Airport
64 km / 40 mi
Poitiers/Biard (PIS)
Poitiers-Biard Airport
80 km / 50 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 Saumur.
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 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 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 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
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.
